2023-08-31 06:34:59
Eating More Fruits and Vegetables Linked to Weight Loss and Heart Health Improvement, Study Finds
In a recent study conducted across 12 states in the US, it was discovered that consuming more fruits and vegetables could contribute to weight loss and enhance heart health. The research, led by Kurt Hager from the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, examined the impact of providing low-income individuals with vouchers to purchase fresh produce at farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
The study included 3,881 participants, both adults and children, who received monthly vouchers ranging from $15 to $300. Researchers assessed the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed by the participants before and after the intervention, as well as their cardiovascular health, levels of food insecurity, and self-reported health status.
The findings revealed that adults who took part in the program consumed 30% more fruits and vegetables. On average, they reported consuming an additional 0.85 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Children also experienced an increase in produce consumption, consuming an average of 0.26 cups more per day, which represents a 7% increase compared to their pre-program intake.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a majority of Americans fail to consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. The Department of Agriculture estimates that individuals would need to spend between $63 and $78 per month to meet the daily recommended intake of these nutrients.
Hager emphasized the urgent need for nutritional improvements, stating, “We have an ongoing epidemic of [unhealthy] diet-related diseases.” He also highlighted the historical lack of tools available to doctors to address nutrition issues and offer proper counseling to patients. The prescription programs, like the one conducted in this study, aim to bridge this gap.
The study primarily focused on individuals at risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes, as well as those dealing with food insecurity. Hager pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the prevalence of diet-related diseases, as heart disease and diabetes have become significant risk factors for hospitalization and mortality during the pandemic.
Although the results are promising, Hager stressed the need for more research to determine whether the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables directly contributed to improvements in participants’ health. It is also unclear whether the reported health enhancements were a result of consuming more produce or if the vouchers addressed broader household food insecurities. Approximately 56% of the respondents in the study were classified as food insecure.
Kevin Volpe from the University of Pennsylvania supports the need for further investigation, stating that randomized trials are essential to provide more conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of these programs in improving blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
In conclusion, while it is widely accepted that incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in one’s diet can lead to overall health improvements, more accurate data is necessary to determine the ideal daily amount of produce intake. Despite this, Mitchell Elkind from the American Heart Association hailed the study as a “fantastic analysis” that suggests the benefits of prescription programs involving fruits and vegetables. Moving forward, the American Heart Association plans to fund further research to assess the cost-effectiveness of these programs in managing and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Ultimately, the goal is to improve healthcare outcomes and combat heart disease, obesity, and other health challenges faced by the US population.]
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