Shyam Bishen, Lucy Perez, Cuilin Zhang and Chong Yap-Seng
January 7, 2026
Fruit and veg prescriptions could save billions in healthcare bills
In the US, fruit and veg prescriptions would prevent almost 300,000 heart attacks and strokes and give people an extra 260,000 years of good health if they were offered to people with diabetes aged 40-79.
A new study from Tufts University has found that prescribing fruit and vegetables to people with diabetes could save millions of lives and billions of dollars in healthcare costs. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that a nationwide produce prescription program could prevent almost 300,000 heart attacks and strokes, and give people an extra 260,000 years of good health.
How do the fruit and veg prescription programs work?
The produce prescription program would work like any other prescription. Doctors would write a prescription for fruits and vegetables, and patients would then be able to redeem the prescription at a participating grocery store. The produce would be free or discounted for eligible patients.
Benefits
The study found that the produce prescription program would have a number of benefits, including:
- Reduced healthcare costs: The program would save $39.6 billion in healthcare spending over the lifetime of the patients.
- Improved clinical outcomes: The program would lead to lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.
- Increased quality of life: The program would give people with diabetes more energy and vitality, and it would help them to live longer, healthier lives.
Cost-Effectiveness
The researchers say that their plan would cost $18,000 per extra year of healthy life. This is about the same cost as blood pressure or cancer screening. The study also found that the program would be most beneficial for people with diabetes who are also food insecure.
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