Food is medicine gains momentum with research and funding
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The American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food initiative reported a surge in research and investment in the field of food is medicine (FIM). Researchers published 57 studies on FIM between July 2025 and June 2026, a 68% increase from the previous year, including a fourfold rise in rigorous randomized controlled trials.
The increase in scientific evidence prompted greater government support for programs integrating nutrition into healthcare.
Sixteen US states are now approving or considering Medicaid waivers to fund FIM initiatives, and federal funding increased to $24 million for the 2026 fiscal year, more than four times the amount available in 2024. Evaluations of these programs suggest they can lower hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and overall healthcare costs. Studies highlighted medically tailored meals and groceries as particularly effective interventions, improving blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors when combined with services like nutrition counseling.
Researchers are now focusing on tailoring these programs to individual patient needs and preferences, recognizing that cultural relevance and convenience boost participation. The report indicates the field is moving beyond simply proving FIM works to determining how to best design, implement, and sustain these programs for maximum impact.
