In what way does the DASH diet differ from the Mediterranean diet?

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the Mediterranean diet both emphasize healthy eating patterns that prioritize whole foods, but they do have distinct focuses that reflect their intended health outcomes and cultural influences.

The DASH diet is specifically designed to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It emphasizes lower sodium intake, higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, particularly from poultry and fish, with moderate dairy intake. While legumes are certainly included and encouraged, the main focus of the DASH diet is not as heavily centered on them as it is on other protein sources like poultry and fish.

In contrast, the Mediterranean diet places a strong emphasis on olive oil, seafood, and legumes, reflecting the dietary patterns common in Mediterranean countries. It encourages various plant-based foods, including an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, alongside moderate intake of seafood and a lower emphasis on red meat.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects that the DASH diet has less emphasis on seafood compared to the Mediterranean diet, which includes it as a primary protein source, while the DASH diet places more focus on a variety of protein sources, including those that might be less emphasized in the Mediterranean context. This