### Health Benefits of Monthly Financial Support for Fruits and Vegetables Researchers from Tufts University in Boston found that people who received $63 per month to buy fruits and vegetables experienced significant health improvements. This initiative, known as “produce prescriptions,” showed that over six months, adults increased their fruit and vegetable intake by an average of 0.85 cups, while children increased theirs by 0.26 cups. For context, federal nutrition guidelines recommend 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit per day for a 2,000-calorie diet, but most people eat less than these recommended amounts. The study highlighted that poor diet is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide, and in the U.S., an estimated 300,000 annual deaths from heart disease and diabetes are linked to poor diet. The “food as medicine” movement aims to improve health through better eating habits, and produce prescriptions with financial incentives help address “food insecurity,” which is the lack of access to sufficient food to meet basic needs. The study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analyzed data from multiple programs between 2014 and 2020, involving 2,064 adults and 1,817 children in 22 areas across 12 states. Participants, who were at risk for conditions like insulin resistance, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, heart attack, or stroke, were recruited from clinics in low-income areas. Participants spent about 73% of the $63 monthly allowance on fruits and vegetables. After six months, the likelihood of being food insecure dropped by one-third. Self-reported health status improved significantly for both children and adults, with adults experiencing reductions in high blood sugar levels and BMI. However, children's BMI did not change. The study also measured blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and changes in BMI. Notably, adults' blood pressure improved by about half as much as it would with commonly prescribed medications, showing the significant impact of a simple dietary change.