Produce prescriptions may curb chronic disease

Your doctor called: They want you to eat more fruits and veggies. ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell The town where I live banned chain restaurants back in the ’90s. So if you have a hankering for Taco Bell or Carl’s Jr., you have to drive a town over to find it. In lieu of these ultra-processed food hubs, mom-and-pop restaurants flourish and a bustling farmers market takes over the town square every Saturday. It’s no coincidence that the people who live in this town are, on the whole, wealthy and healthy. Because research shows that when you have money, you probably have much more access to healthy food than those who don’t. In today’s newsletter, we’re going to get specific about how this access can make or break your health, plus one way our medical system is responding to these disparities. Before we dig in, more health stories you need: • [Curious about Wegovy for weight loss? Read this]( • [More evidence that magic mushrooms can reduce depression symptoms]( • [The rare type of skin cancer that led to Jimmy Buffett’s death]( Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Ginger Wojcik September 13, 2023 • 3 min read [Doctors are prescribing fruits and veggies for heart health — and it’s working]( what’s got us buzzing [Doctors are prescribing fruits and veggies for heart health — and it’s working]( The access I have to healthy, minimally processed food is something that millions of people in this country lack. [Food deserts]( are areas with low access to nutritious food, and they’re usually concentrated in low income — and historically marginalized — communities. These areas also tend to have higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Over the last decade, some states have launched [produce prescription]( programs aimed at righting these inequities. In these programs, healthcare professionals help people eat more nutritious food by writing prescriptions to eat more fruits and vegetables. They also include a monthly stipend to help with the costs. And according to a new study, it’s working. After 6 months, participants: - reduced their body mass index, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels - were much more likely to improve their health status (a standardized measurement used in the study) by one level - were one-third less likely to report experiencing food insecurity (which includes not having enough nutritious food to meet one’s needs) If you don’t have access to [fresh produce]( or it is outside of your budget, one solution may be to buy frozen fruits and vegetables instead. And since most produce is frozen immediately after harvesting, it’s pretty much just as nutritious as eating it when it’s fresh. great finds Chill vibes, only [CBDfx Calming Tincture]( [CBDfx Calming Tincture]( Is it just me or does life feel like a never ending series of to-do lists? Staying calm through it all is no small feat, and many people swear by CBD to do just that. This CBDfx Calming Tincture comes in a variety of potencies, from 1,000–6,000 milligrams per 30-milliliter bottle, so you can get the dose juuuuust right. It’s a good addition to stressful days to help melt the tension away. And it has a mildly herbaceous and sweet flavor. Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off. [Buy now]( Every product we recommend has gone through [Healthline's vetting process](. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 🥗 [14 recipes to keep on hand when your menopause symptoms flare.]( When your hormones spin out of control, planning out your meals can help you manage. 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 [Can having sex really help relieve a migraine attack?]( We look into the research around this alternative remedy that many people swear by. 🍵 [Our editors share their cold and flu solutions.]( Learn some new tricks to feel better fast. 💛 [Improve your heart health every week.]( Keep your cholesterol in check and so much more. Thanks for reading, friends! Loved today’s story? [Sign up]( for our Nutrition Edition newsletter and get nutrition news, weekly recipes, and tons more good stuff delivered straight to your inbox. And as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our editors at wellnesswire@healthline.com. 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