Better Blood Pressure with a “Produce Prescription”

All kinds of things can HARM your heart health. (In fact, later this week, I will touch on two of them.)

But today, we’ll talk about the opposite: A simple way to dramatically reduce your heart risk.

In fact, this easy heart hack could lower your blood pressure by as many as 10 points—no drugs (or exercise!) necessary.

I’m not a fan of strictly vegetarian diets—but the BIG health benefits of fruits and vegetables are undeniable.

A balanced, well-rounded, seasonal diet is always the BEST option.

And fruit and vegetables are part of that because they provide vital vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that aren’t available in other sources.

Plus, produce provides numerous health benefits—including contributing to a measurable reduction in blood pressure, according to new research.

Participants in the new study (2,064 adults and 1,817 children) live in low-income neighborhoods.

Folks in these communities tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables because they’re often unavailable. Plus, fresh produce costs more than pre-packaged foods.

That lack of access to affordable, nutritious foods means the volunteers were ALSO at higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

But when participants were given $63 a month to spend SPECIFICALLY on fresh produce, it had a meaningful impact on their heart—and OVERALL—health.

In fact, when the volunteers INCREASED the fruits and vegetables in their diet, the adults had…

• a significant DROP of up to 10-points in blood pressure,
• a lower HbA1c (average blood sugar level), and
• a lower BMI (body mass index).

And the children were TWICE as likely to report better overall health at the end of the program.

You can put the power of a “produce prescriptions” to work in your OWN life, too. After all, if you’re like many folks, your diet can fall short when it comes to including enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

But by spending just $63 a month in the produce aisle instead… less than the cost of ONE prescription drug… you’ll be supporting your heart health, improving your blood sugar, and even losing weight.

Remember, food is medicine. So, start using it to HEAL yourself starting TODAY.

P.S. Subscribers to Natural Health Response don’t miss “Your Guide to Seasonal Eating” in your September issue. It will help you get the most bang for your produce buck on your next trip to the grocery store.

SOURCE:

Kurt Hager, et al., “Impact of Produce Prescriptions on Diet, Food Security, and Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes: A Multisite Evaluation of 9 Produce Prescription Programs in the United States,” Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2023;0:e009520