One of the most clinically validated eating patterns around, compared to a general inflammation score.
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is one of the most clinically validated eating patterns in nutrition research — originally designed and studied specifically to lower blood pressure, not for weight loss or general wellness.
| Dimension | DASH Diet | THE FAD |
|---|---|---|
| Core rule | A structured eating pattern designed to lower blood pressure — emphasises vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein, low sodium | No fixed eating pattern required — scores whatever you already eat |
| Original purpose | Developed and clinically studied specifically for hypertension management | Built for general lifestyle-driven inflammatory load, not one specific condition |
| Overlap with Food pillar | High fibre, high plant diversity, low ultra-processed food — closely aligned | Would likely score DASH-style eating favourably for the same reasons |
| Sodium | A central, explicitly tracked target | Not separately tracked, though tied to the ultra-processed food signal |
DASH's core structure — vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein, limited added sugar and processed food — overlaps heavily with what scores well on THE FAD's Food signal, even though DASH was designed around blood pressure rather than inflammation specifically.
DASH has a much stronger, more specific clinical evidence base for blood pressure management than THE FAD does — if that's your goal, work with your doctor on a DASH-style plan directly rather than relying on a general inflammation score alone.
The best way to understand the difference is to see what a real day scores.
Try the calculator