Prescribing Fruits and Veggies: A Prescription for Better Health
Doctors are experimenting with food prescription programs to help people, including children, eat more healthfully. These programs provide resources and prescriptions for fruits and vegetables, particularly for those who may not have access to fresh foods. A study found that providing at-risk adults and children with prescriptions for fruits and veggies, along with money to buy them, can significantly reduce risk factors for heart disease. Participants reported eating more fruits and vegetables and experienced improvements in measures of heart health such as blood pressure and body mass index. "Food as medicine" is a growing trend to cut healthcare costs and fight inequality.