Posted on Arthritis, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Diet

DASH Diet: Best Heart-Healthy Choice and Second Overall in 2025 Rankings

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH Diet, developed by scientists at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been recognized as the best heart-healthy diet and the second-best diet overall in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Diets Rankings.

These rankings are released yearly, just in time for New Year’s resolutions when many people are looking for healthy eating options. The rankings examine 38 diets across 21 categories.

Why the DASH Diet Stands Out:

  • Health Benefits: The DASH Diet is well-researched and backed by science for its health benefits. It’s praised for being nutritionally complete, versatile, filling, and nonrestrictive.
  • History: Developed by Pennington Biomedical pioneers like Dr. George Bray, Dr. Donna Ryan, and Dr. Catherine Champagne, the DASH Diet has proven effective for over 30 years.

2025 Rankings Highlights:

  • Best Heart-Healthy Diets (No. 1)
  • Best Diets Overall (No. 2)
  • Best Diets for High Blood Pressure (No. 1)
  • Best Diets for High Cholesterol (No. 2)
  • Best Diabetes Diets (No. 3)
  • Best Diets for Prediabetes (No. 2)
  • Best Diets for Healthy Eating (No. 2)
  • Best Diets for Gut Health (No. 2)
  • Easiest Diets to Follow (No. 3)
  • Best Diets for Mental Health (No. 4)
  • Best Diets for Menopause (No. 4)
  • Best Diets for Arthritis (No. 4)
  • Best Diets for Brain Health (No. 4)

What Makes DASH Diet Unique: The DASH Diet focuses on reducing saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It includes whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts while limiting lean red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-laden beverages. It’s rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, protein, and fiber.

Developed with support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the DASH Diet has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events, and improve metabolism.

Dr. Catherine Champagne highlights, “The DASH Diet is easy to follow, works for the whole family, and has been consistently ranked at the top due to its scientifically proven benefits.”

Evaluations for U.S. News’ rankings involve a methodology developed with The Harris Poll, considering inputs from 69 expert panelists, including doctors, dietitians, and weight loss researchers.

By choosing the DASH Diet, individuals can embrace a heart-healthy eating plan that’s stood the test of time and continues to deliver impressive health benefits.