In the United States, Mass General Brigham researchers analyzed medical indicators before and after 68 adults participated in a plant-based food package program through the Revere Public Health Center food pantry. Participants took part in the program for an average of 2.7 years and received an average of 97 packages each. A greater number of received packages was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure, body weight, and body mass index.
As News-Medical reports, according to the authors’ estimates, every 100 packages received were associated with a 3.21 mm Hg reduction in diastolic blood pressure, a 2.6 kg reduction in weight, and a 1.04 kg/m² reduction in body mass index.
Among participants who had elevated blood pressure at the beginning of the study, the program was also associated with lower systolic blood pressure. At the same time, researchers did not record statistically significant changes in hemoglobin A1c levels among all participants.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The packages were designed by a dietitian in accordance with the 2020 U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines. They included fresh vegetables and fruit, canned beans, nut butter, and whole-grain products. The food was supplied by the Greater Boston Food Bank and other organizations working to improve food access.
Each package was intended to provide three meals a day for all household members for one week. Patients were offered the option of receiving such packages weekly with no limit on the duration of participation. The study results were published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease (DOI: 10.5888/pcd23.260023).
