Doctors prescribing fresh fruit and vegetables could be an effective way to improve health, new study finds

Doctors prescribing their patients fresh fruit and vegetables could be an effective way to improve their health outcomes, particularly those with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health and Sydney's University of New South Wales found people with type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar ate nearly two extra servings of fruit and vegetables per day when taking part in a 'produce prescription' programme, which ran over a 12-week period.

The participants also lost 1.7kg in weight and saw a 10 percent drop in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - the 'bad cholesterol' that causes heart disease.

Lead author Jason Wu, the head of nutrition science at The George Institute and a professor at UNSW Medicine & Health's School of Population Health, said this was an important first step in Australia demonstrating the potential of 'food as medicine', which could help both doctors and patients better manage diet-related diseases.

"We know eating a nutritious diet is key to maintaining health. But only one in 20 Australians eat enough fruit and vegetables with many struggling to access healthy foods, especially those from the most disadvantaged communities," Prof Wu said.

"Right now, unhealthy diets cause more than 20,000 premature deaths a year in Australia, and untold suffering for patients and their loved ones."

To test 'produce prescription' for healthcare in Australia, the researchers worked with specialist doctors at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney to recruit 50 individuals with type 2 diabetes who were experiencing food insecurity. Each participant received a healthy food box designed by nutrition professionals, accompanying recipe ideas, and the option to see a dietitian fortnightly.

After 12 weeks, there was a significant improvement in participants' diets, blood cholesterol levels and body weight. The majority (96 percent) of participants said the programme was either helpful or extremely helpful for improving their and their families' diets, noting they'd be willing to pay to continue the programme.

Woman hand holding fresh apple with measuring tape - stock photo
The participants lost 1.7kg in weight and saw a 10 percent drop in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - the 'bad cholesterol' that causes heart disease. Photo credit: Getty Images

"Our research shows that not only is prescribing healthy produce very promising for improving the diet and health of individuals with type 2 diabetes, it is also very popular. What we need next is to expand and evaluate this programme in larger studies to confirm its health benefits," Dr Wu said.

There is growing recognition that healthcare systems must do more to prevent and treat diet-related diseases, with the current model relying mostly on medications. In the United States, healthy food and meal prescription programmes are already being integrated into healthcare; paid for by government and providers, the programmes are delivering promising health benefits and even reducing overall healthcare costs, the authors noted.

Close up of doctor's hand giving prescription to patient, studio shot - stock photo
In the US, healthy food prescription programmes are already being integrated into healthcare and are delivering promising health benefits and even reducing overall healthcare costs, the authors noted. Photo credit: Getty Images

Tristan Harris, co-CEO of Harris Farms - who supplied the healthy foods used in the study, - said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Professor Wu and The George Institute to prove that good food is medicine and help reduce the unnecessary disease burden of unhealthy diets and the spiralling health costs that come along with it. 

"This is the most common-sense approach to health we could possibly imagine."