The American Heart Association–funded THRIVE Food is Medicine pilot trial demonstrated strong promise in addressing hypertension through produce prescriptions. Participants in the intervention arm with high adherence to the DASH diet experienced an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 13 mmHg, a clinically meaningful improvement. The program showed high acceptability and sustainability potential, with participants asking, “When does Phase 2 start?” By integrating produce prescriptions, personalized dietitian coaching, weekly adaptive messaging, and community resource navigation, THRIVE improved dietary quality, nutrition security, and blood pressure outcomes.

In this episode, Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC and Bunmi Ogungbe, BSN, MPH, PhD discuss “THRIVE Food is Medicine Pilot Trial: Addressing Hypertension through Produce Prescriptions”.

Related References:

1. Ogungbe O, Song S, Yuan M, et al, for the THRIVE Food-is-Medicine Team. Abstract: Effects of a Food-is-Medicine Intervention on Blood Pressure Among Black and Hispanic Adults with Hypertension in Healthy Food Priority Areas: The THRIVE Pilot Trial. Presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Scientific Session in New Orleans, LA.
2. Washington I,Olusola-Bell M, Kyeremeh D, on behalf of the THRIVE Food-is-Medicine Team. Baseline Characteristics of Black and Hispanic Adults with Hypertension in Healthy Food Priority Areas: The THRIVE Food-Is-Medicine Pilot Trial. MedRxiv. 2025;09(22):25336404.
3. Adeleye K, McDaniel K, Iribe I, et al. Applications of Human-Centered Design to Food Is Medicine Interventions: The THRIVE Pilot Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14(15):e041846. doi:10.1161/JAHA.125.041846