DASH Diet Best for 2012, According to Annual Ranking
The DASH diet ran to the top of the list of 2012 diets according to the U.S. News & World Report that released its annual list Wednesday. REUTERS

The DASH diet ran to the top of the list of 2012 diets according to the U.S. News & World Report that released its annual list Wednesday.

Each year, the magazine ranks various diets with the help of a panel of health experts and forcasts the most effective diet for Americans that relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe, and effective for weight loss and against diabetes and heart disease.

The DASH diet - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - focuses on nutrients like potassium, sodium, calcium along with protein and fiber in an effort to decrease high blood pressure. The side effect? Weight loss.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute helped develop the diet which officials introduced in 1998 and updated in 2006.

Even though the editors at U.S. News & World Report said DASH claimed the number one spot, four to one online responders said that the diet didn't work for them.

The magazine also said that the diet scored lower points because it required work and was somewhat pricey.

The diet has become popular with at least three DASH-based books to be published in early 2012, in addition to the thousands of DASH cookbooks and guides already available.

Other diets from the 25 that made the list included, in order:

2. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes created by the National Institutes of Health

3. Mayo Clinic designed by the clinic in Rochester, Minn.

4. Mediterranean diet

5. Weight Watchers

Diet