Weight Loss Tip: DASH Diet Declared Best Diet Fifth Year in a Row by Experts

DASH has been ranked the best overall diet fifth time running for this year.

US News and World Report which has been publishing its list of best diets for five years now, ranked 35 diets across seven categories. While the DASH diet comprising vegetables, whole grains and low fat diary was the best overall diet, Weight Watchers was chosen the best diet weight loss. The hugely popular Weight Watchers diet was also adjudged the easiest diet to follow.

"DASH was developed to fight high blood pressure, not as an all-purpose diet. But it certainly looked like an all-star to our panel of experts, who gave it high marks for its nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. Though obscure, it beat out a field full of better-known diets," US News and World Report said. DASH was also recognized as the best diet for diabetes.

DASH diet was put together by the US National Institute of Health and was promoted as a diet to prevent and control hypertension. Studies conducted in the past have shown that DASH diet lowers systolic and diastolic pressure in individuals with hypertension or pre-hypertension. The diet recommends a daily intake of 1,600 to 3,100 calories.

Voice of America reported that Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet came in second, followed by Mediterranean diet, Weight Watchers and the Mayo Clinic diet tying for the third place on the overall diet list.

Paleo Diet which emulates the caveman diet and Dukan Diet, ranked poorly.