The Association Between Adherence to The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet and Neuro-Psychological Function in Young Women

Abstract

Background: The beneficial impact of adherence to a DASH diet may have a bidirectional relationship with mental wellbeing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the DASH diet and neuro-psychological function in young women.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 181 adolescent girls aged between 18-25 years were recruited. The dietary intakes of study participants were collected using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) containing 65 food items. Neuropsychological function of participants was evaluated using standard questionnaires.Results: As may be expected, individuals in the highest tertile of adherence to DASH diet (high adherence) consumed more folate, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, nuts, legume, and seed , and less sweetened beverage and sodium, compared to the participants in the lowest tertile (lower adherence). There was a significant negative relationship between cognitive function and consumption of red and processed meat (r=-0.168; p<0.05), quality of life score with dietary sodium (r=-0.151; p<0.01) and depression score with vegetables (r=-0.174; p<0.05). In multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI and energy intake, adherence to a DASH style-pattern was protective against stress score (OR=0.32; 95%CI: 0.14-0.71) and difficulty with sleep initiating (OR=0.46; 95%CI: 0.21-1.00).Conclusion: Adherence to a DASH diet may be a protective against a high stress score and difficulty with sleep initiating.