Emerging research suggests that a prescription penned by physicians for the inclusion of fruits and vegetables in individuals’ diets could yield noteworthy benefits for those vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.
This revelation emerges from a study published today in the journal “Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.” Researchers found that individuals who adhered to a “produce prescription” regimen for a span of six months not only experienced a reduction in their body mass index, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels but also exhibited an augmented consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Kurt Hager, PhD, one of the study’s authors and an instructor at UMass Chan Medical School in Massachusetts, emphasized, “We know that food insecurity impacts health through several important pathways, including overall dietary quality, but also through stress and anxiety, mental health, and tradeoffs between paying for food and other basic needs such as housing costs, utilities, and medications. These results indicate produce prescriptions may lay an important foundation for improved health and well-being.”
The research involved an analysis of data derived from 22 produce prescription programs spanning 12 states, spanning the timeframe from 2014 to 2020. The dataset encompassed 3,881 participants, among whom 2,064 were adults and 1,817 were children. All participants faced an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease or exhibited compromised cardiometabolic health. Significantly, these participants hailed from clinics primarily catering to low-income communities.
Under the ambit of the produce prescription initiative, participants received an average monthly allowance of $63 to facilitate the procurement of fruits and vegetables.
The research findings showcased several encouraging outcomes. Adult participants registered a 60% higher likelihood of enhancing their health status by at least one level (for instance, moving from fair to good health) by the program’s culmination. Remarkably, children exhibited double the likelihood of reporting improved health status.
Of significance, adults who adhered to the program amplified their daily intake of vegetables and fruits by nearly one cup.
Furthermore, individuals grappling with high blood pressure recorded notable reductions in their readings, while those contending with diabetes experienced a marked decline in blood sugar levels. Notably, adults characterized by obesity experienced substantial enhancements to their body mass index, signifying tangible progress.
Remarkably, as the program reached its conclusion, participants reported a one-third reduction in instances of food insecurity, signifying a holistic impact on participants’ overall well-being.
