Dash diet associated with lower risk of cognitive decline

The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) was originally developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in the 1990s to lower blood pressure without medication. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while limiting salt, red meat, sugar, and saturated fats. This large-scale observational study published in *JAMA Neurology* (April 2025) followed a diverse cohort of older U.S. women over decades and found that those who adhered closely to the DASH diet had measurably slower cognitive decline — equivalent to being about 10–17 years younger cognitively. The effect was strongest among Black women, an important finding given their higher rates of hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. Observational studies can show correlation, not proof of causation.