A new study has shown that delivering healthy foods directly to homes along with personalized dietary guidance can lower blood pressure and cholesterol in Black adults with hypertension.
The study, which was presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific conference (ACC.26), focused on participants who followed the DASH diet, known for its heart-healthy benefits and based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and healthy proteins.
After three months, participants who received home grocery delivery with support from nutritionists experienced a 7 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, compared to a 5 mmHg reduction in those who received basic dietary guidance and a cash allowance for groceries. The average LDL cholesterol level also decreased by 7 mg/dL in the home delivery group.
The scientific connection lies in the fact that one of the biggest challenges to following the DASH diet is regular access to fresh, nutritious foods, especially in low-income areas or "food deserts" where grocery stores are scarce. Delivery services remove this practical barrier and ensure that participants can fully adhere to the diet, leading to tangible health results.
Dr. Steven Juraszek, associate professor of medicine and nutrition at Harvard University and lead author of the study, said: "The results exceed our expectations and illustrate a promising path for self-management of hypertension in individuals with the condition."
The study included 176 people from low-income areas of Boston whose resting systolic blood pressure ranged between 120 and 149 mmHg despite receiving effective treatment. The participants had an average age of 60, and 80% were women. Half of the participants received grocery delivery along with personalized guidance from nutritionists, while the other half received nutritional supplements and a booklet explaining the DASH diet.
In the group that received grocery deliveries, nutritionists adopted four key principles to help participants prepare grocery lists and plan healthy meals: reducing salt and maintaining a 2:1 potassium-to-sodium ratio (consuming approximately twice the amount of potassium and sodium in the daily diet), limiting saturated fats, and avoiding processed foods and sugars.
Jurassic emphasized: "We were keen to give participants the freedom to choose their purchases according to the DASH diet with the support of a nutritionist, which allowed them to create diverse food combinations that suit their tastes and ensure adherence to the diet."
The results showed that differences in blood pressure and cholesterol persisted even three months after the delivery program ended, suggesting that facilitating access to healthy foods may be an important step in preventing cardiovascular disease.
The researchers noted that the findings could help health insurance companies, city planners, and public health workers develop policies and programs that make healthy foods accessible and affordable for everyone, especially in communities facing nutritional challenges.
Jurassic explained that the study was limited to one urban area and lasted only three months, and that future studies could assess the long-term effects and expand the scope of the findings to include high-risk groups such as diabetics or those with very high blood pressure
