Stanford Medicine researchers conducted one of the most comprehensive analyses of a large-scale Food as Medicine intervention, studying over 2,600 patients in the Recipe4Health program across four community health centers in Alameda County, California. The groundbreaking study revealed that participants who received weekly fresh produce deliveries combined with health education sessions showed significant improvements in food security (from 30% to over 50% reporting food security), increased fruit and vegetable consumption by half a serving per day, and demonstrated measurable improvements in cholesterol levels, diabetes markers, anxiety, loneliness, and overall quality of life. The research provides compelling evidence that prescribing fresh produce and health coaching creates lasting health improvements when integrated into formal healthcare systems, representing a paradigm shift toward proactive, nutrition-based medical interventions.

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