Prescribing people with a monthly allocation of £50 worth of fruit and vegetables could significantly reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to new research. A study conducted by Tufts University found that adults at risk of heart disease who received prescriptions for free produce consumed more fruits and vegetables and experienced lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI).
The study involved analyzing data from 1,817 children and 2,064 adults enrolled in produce prescription programs across the United States. All participants were identified as being at risk for cardiometabolic diseases, such as heart disease or Type 2 diabetes, and came from low-income neighborhoods.
Participants in the programs received vouchers or cards, equivalent to around £50 per month, which they could redeem at selected supermarkets or farmers’ markets. Before and after the programs, participants answered questions about their fruit and vegetable consumption and their overall health. The results showed that adults reported consuming an additional portion of fruits or vegetables per day, while children increased their intake by a quarter of a cup on average.
Additionally, adults with high blood pressure saw a reduction in their levels, those with diabetes experienced a decrease in their blood sugar, and obese adults recorded an average drop of 0.5 from their BMI score. By the end of the programs, adults were 62% more likely to report better health, and children were more than twice as likely to do so.
Senior author Fang Fang Zhang expressed excitement about the results, stating that participants who received the incentive consumed more fruits and vegetables and achieved clinically relevant outcomes. Professor Mitchell Elkind, chief clinical science officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the potential of subsidized produce prescriptions in promoting healthier diets, reducing food insecurity, and improving overall health.
The findings of this study were published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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