Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is associated with low levels of insulin resistance among heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Heart failure (HF) patients are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association between adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and insulin resistance among U.S. adults with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016 cycles, we included 348 individuals aged 20+ years with HF and no history of diabetes. DASH diet adherence index quartile 1 indicated the lowest and quartile 4 indicated the highest adherence. The highest level of insulin resistance was defined by the upper tertile of the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Associations between level of insulin resistance and DASH diet adherence and its linear trends were examined using logistic regressions. Trend analyses showed that participants in upper DASH diet adherence index quartiles were more likely older, female, non-Hispanic White, of normal weight, and had lower levels of fasting insulin than those in lower quartiles. Median values of HOMA-IR from lowest to highest DASH diet adherence index quartiles were 3.1 (interquartile range, 1.8-5.5), 2.9 (1.7-5.6), 2.1 (1.1-3.7), and 2.1 (1.3-3.5). Multivariable logistic analyses indicated that participants with the highest compared to the lowest DASH adherence showed 77.1% lower odds of having the highest level of insulin resistance (0.229, 95% confidence interval: 0.073-0.716; p = 0.017 for linear trend).

CONCLUSION

Good adherence to the DASH diet was associated with lower insulin resistance among community-dwelling HF patients. Heart healthy dietary patterns likely protect HF patients from developing type 2 diabetes.