How can locally-served 'Food is Medicine' Help?
Evidence Supports . . .
Extensive scientific evidence supports the use of a whole-food, predominantly plant-based eating pattern as an important strategy in the prevention of chronic disease,(1) treatment of chronic conditions and,(2) in intensive therapeutic doses, reversal of chronic illness.(3)
1.) Dinu M, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A, Sofi F. Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2017;57(17):3640-3649. http://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2016.1138447
2.) Remde A, DeTurk SN, Almardini A, Steiner L, Wojda T. Plant-predominant eating patterns – how effective are they for treating obesity and related cardiometabolic health outcomes? – a systematic review. Nutrition Reviews. 2021;80(5):1094-1104. http://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab060
3.) Esselstyn CB, Jr., Gendy G, Doyle J, Golubic M, Roizen MF. A way to reverse CAD? J Fam Pract. 2014;63(7):356-364b.
Food is Medicine
While there is a wide spectrum of dietary patterns, diets that include an abundance of whole and minimally processed plant foods are preferable.(4)
4.) American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Food as Medicine Jumpstart American College of Lifestyle Medicine Lifestylemedicine.org. 2021. Accessed September 13, 2022.
contributes to sustainable health
A primarily whole-food, plant-based eating pattern promotes overall health by increasing the intake of minimally processed, nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, antioxidant-rich foods and beverages and decreasing intake of saturated and trans fats, refined carbohydrates, processed oils, added sugars, sodium, and chemical contaminants.(5) By its nature, this eating pattern also lowers calories.
5.) American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition. American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Lifestylemedicine.org. 2021. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://lifestyle-medicine.foleon.com/wfpb-nutrition/diet-quality/