We thank Esposito and Giugliano (1) for their attention to our study, in which we showed the beneficial effects of a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern on components of the metabolic syndrome (2). DASH diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet; both have high levels of fiber and isoflavones and a large number of low–glycemic index foods such as vegetables and whole grains (3,4). We agree with Esposito and Giugliano that in the short term, our study (2) confirms the results reported by them previously (3). However, we discussed differences between DASH and Mediterranean diet in the conclusions section of our study (2).
We reported a 13-kg weight reduction in the weight-reducing diet and a 15- kg reduction in the DASH diet (2). As it had been mentioned in the research design and methods section of our study, subjects on both weight-reducing diet and DASH diet ate 500 kcal less than their caloric needs. Despite intensive lifestyle changes in the study by Esposito et al. (3), patients did not consume a diet with 500 calories less than their needs. However, the patients reduced dietary caloric intake (if needed) by 170 kcal in the intervention group.
Regarding Esposito and Giugliano’s expectation about the larger resolution of features of the metabolic syndrome in the weight-reducing diet, it should be kept in mind that the metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors (high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, and elevated blood glucose). Although the amount of weight reduction in the weight-reducing diet and DASH group in our study was not significantly different, the decrement of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the DASH and the weight-reducing group was significantly different (−35 vs −19%, P < 0.05). Therefore, the nutrient content of the DASH diet may be important. The DASH diet has larger amounts of dairy and calcium that are inversely related to the metabolic syndrome and its components (5). Also, its sodium content is restricted, which could regulate blood pressure. Some studies (6) also have shown no significant effect of weight-reducing diet on some metabolic risks.
Unfortunately, Table 2 in our study (2) has some inconsistencies due to a typing error in the fasting blood glucose (FBG) values in women (the last row). The baseline FBG in the control group was actually 93 mg/dl and in the DASH group 91 and 86 mg/dl after 3 and 6 months, respectively. As it has been stated in Fig. 2, DASH diet decreased FBG by 15 and 8 mg/dl in men and women, respectively. By correcting the mentioned typing error, there would be a logical SD in FBG. The variables did not have normal distributions in men but were normally distributed in women; this is the reason we have reported medians in men and means in women.
Regarding the amount of energy consumed by subjects, the baseline energy intake in the control, weight-reducing diet, and DASH groups was 2,023, 2,009, and 2,017 kcal/day, respectively. After 6 months, the corresponding energy intakes were 1,997, 1,573, and 1,549 kcal, respectively. It had been mentioned in the research design and methods section that we prescribed a diet with 500 kcal less than caloric needs in the weight-reducing and DASH groups, and we checked the subjects’ intake by means of dietary records for 3 days in a month. Nutrients and food group values that have been shown in Table 1 are based on a 2,000- kcal diet; therefore, we could not report the mean of the energy intake in this Table.
Finally, our study (2) and that of Esposito et al. (3) showed that diet could be an important factor in the prevention or treatment of the metabolic syndrome. However, the effects of a DASH diet on metabolic risks need to be compared with those of other diets (e.g., Mediterranean diet) in future studies.
