Current:Home > InvestFruit and vegetable "prescriptions" linked to better health and less food insecurity, study finds-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Fruit and vegetable "prescriptions" linked to better health and less food insecurity, study finds
View Date:2024-12-23 23:47:07
"Prescribing" fruits and vegetables to adults and children is associated with increased consumption of these foods and multiple health benefits, according to a new study.
The analysis, published in the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed journal Circulation, looked at people at increased risk for cardiovascular disease who participated in produce prescription programs for an average of six months, and found they increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables. This shift was associated with improved body mass index, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, researchers found, as well as a decrease in food insecurity.
"Poor nutrition and nutrition insecurity are major drivers of chronic disease globally, including cardiometabolic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and their cardiovascular consequences, including heart failure, heart attack and stroke," Dr. Mitchell Elkind, chief clinical science officer of the American Heart Association and a tenured professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University, said in a news release. "This analysis of produce prescription programs illustrates the potential of subsidized produce prescriptions to increase consumption of nutritious fruits and vegetables, reduce food insecurity and, hopefully, improve subjective and objective health measures."
In produce prescription programs, patients receive electronic cards or vouchers to access free or discounted produce at grocery stores or farmers' markets, the authors explain.
The analysis, which is thought to be the largest study of the impact of produce prescriptions, encompassed more than 3,800 participants across nine programs around the country. Almost half (1,817) were children with the average age of 9, while 2,064 were adults with an average age of 54. More than half of households in the study reported experiencing food insecurity.
Participants received a median of $63 per month to buy produce and completed questionnaires about fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity and health status. Routine testing was also performed to check health status, but there was no control group to compare results, a limitation of the study.
Still, the results suggest produce prescriptions could be an important tool for improved health. For example, adults reported their fruits and vegetables intake increased by nearly one cup per day, and children's intake increased by about a quarter cup per day. The odds of being food insecure also dropped by one-third.
"Future research will need to include randomized controlled trials to offset any potential bias and prove more rigorously the benefits of produce prescription programs," Elkind added. "The American Heart Association's new Food Is Medicine Initiative will be focused on supporting such trials."
- The best (and worst) diets for heart health, according to the American Heart Association
- How much water should you drink a day? And other hydration questions, answered by experts
- In:
- American Heart Association
veryGood! (91739)
Related
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- Who is Alex Sedrick? Meet 'Spiff,' Team USA women's rugby Olympics hero at Paris Games
- Stephen Nedoroscik waited his whole life for one routine. The US pommel horse specialist nailed it
- Providence patients’ lawsuit claims negligence over potential exposure to hepatitis B and C, HIV
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- American consumers feeling more confident in July as expectations of future improve
- ‘Vance Profits, We Pay The Price’: Sunrise Movement Protests J.D. Vance Over Billionaire Influence and Calls on Kamala Harris to Take Climate Action
- Federal appeals court rules against Missouri’s waiting period for ex-lawmakers to lobby
- After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
- Cardinals land Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham in 3-way trade with Dodgers, White Sox
Ranking
- Queen Elizabeth II's Final 5-Word Diary Entry Revealed
- Target denim take back event: Trade in your used jeans for a discount on a new pair
- 'Black Swan murder trial': Former ballerina on trial in estranged husband's Florida killing
- BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Maserati among 313K vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- 2 credit unions in Mississippi and Louisiana are planning to merge
- USAs Regan Smith, Katharine Berkoff add two medals in 100 backstroke
- Best of 'ArtButMakeItSports': Famed Social media account dominates Paris Olympics' first week
- Earthquake reported near Barstow, California Monday afternoon measuring 4.9
Recommendation
-
New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
-
When's the next Federal Reserve meeting? Here's when to expect updates on current rate.
-
Frederick Richard next poster athlete for men's gymnastics after team bronze performance
-
Stores lure back-to-school shoppers with deals and ‘buy now, pay later’ plans
-
Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That’s what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars
-
Redemption tour for USA men's volleyball off to a good start at Paris Olympics
-
Massachusetts governor says there’s nothing she can do to prevent 2 hospitals from closing
-
A New York state police recruit is charged with assaulting a trooper and trying to grab his gun