Medically tailored groceries lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetes patients

A recent study published in *Circulation* found that medically tailored groceries (MTG) lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and enhance food and nutrition security among patients with type 2 diabetes who also face social needs. The research, conducted by a multi‑institutional team, evaluated 300 adults with diabetes and documented significant reductions in HbA1c after participants received grocery boxes customized to their medical and dietary requirements.

The study compared an MTG intervention group to a control group receiving standard care over a 12‑month period. Participants in the MTG arm received weekly deliveries of fresh produce, lean proteins, and low‑glycemic staples, along with nutritional counseling. At the end of the study, the MTG group’s mean HbA1c fell by 0.8 percentage points, while the control group saw only a 0.2‑point decrease. Additionally, surveys indicated that 68 % of MTG recipients reported improved confidence in meeting their nutritional needs, compared with 32 % in the control group.

These findings suggest that integrating medically tailored food interventions into diabetes management can address both glycemic control and social determinants of health. The authors recommend further research to assess long‑term outcomes and scalability, and they highlight the potential for policy initiatives to incorporate MTG programs into standard care for high‑risk diabetic populations.