The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was designed to help patients lower their blood pressure. It restricts food that is high in saturated fats — such as butter, cheese, and fatty beef — and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

Consumption of whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts is encouraged, while intake of fats, red meats, sweets, sugary beverages, and sodium is discouraged.

The DASH diet is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Research from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago indicates that the DASH diet may also help fight depression.

Researchers studied 964 older volunteers for more than six and a half years and found that subjects consuming a DASH diet had lower rates of depression.

Volunteers who consumed a traditional Western diet had a greater likelihood of being depressed.