Researchers tested whether delivering healthy groceries to people’s homes could lower their blood pressure. They studied 180 Black adults in Boston who had slightly high blood pressure but weren’t on medication. For 12 weeks, half the group received DASH-style groceries (a heart-healthy eating plan) delivered weekly with help from a dietitian, while the other half got money to buy groceries themselves. The group that received the healthy groceries saw their blood pressure drop more than the group that bought their own food. However, when the program ended, the benefits didn’t last. This shows that having access to healthy food and expert guidance can help lower blood pressure, but people need ongoing support to keep the benefits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether delivering healthy DASH-style groceries to people’s homes would lower their blood pressure better than giving them money to buy groceries themselves.
  • Who participated: 180 Black adults living in Boston neighborhoods without many grocery stores. Average age was 46 years old, about 57% were women, and all had blood pressure readings that were slightly high but not yet in the hypertension range.
  • Key finding: People who received the healthy grocery delivery program lowered their systolic blood pressure (the top number) by about 5.7 points, compared to only 2.3 points for those who got money. That’s a difference of 3.4 points—which is meaningful for heart health.
  • What it means for you: If you have slightly high blood pressure and live in an area without easy access to healthy groceries, having healthy food delivered with professional guidance may help lower your blood pressure. However, you’ll need to keep using the program to maintain the benefits, as improvements didn’t last after the program ended.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research. Researchers randomly divided 180 participants into two groups. One group received home-delivered groceries following the DASH eating plan (which emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low sodium) plus weekly guidance from a dietitian. The other group received $1,500 total over 12 weeks to buy their own groceries without specific guidance. Both groups had their blood pressure measured at the start, after 12 weeks, and again 6 months later to see if benefits lasted.

The DASH eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in controlled settings like hospitals or clinics, but this study tested whether it would work in real life when groceries were delivered to people’s homes in their own communities. This is important because many people live in areas called ‘food deserts’ where healthy groceries are hard to find, which may make it harder to eat well and control blood pressure.

Researchers measured blood pressure carefully using multiple readings on different days. They also checked how much sodium people were eating by testing their urine, and measured cholesterol and blood sugar levels to see if the program affected other health markers.

Most previous research on the DASH diet was done in controlled environments where researchers could carefully monitor what people ate. This study is important because it tested whether the benefits would work in real communities where people face real-world challenges like limited access to healthy food stores. Understanding whether programs can work outside of controlled settings helps determine if they could actually help people in their everyday lives.

This study has several strengths: it was published in JAMA, a highly respected medical journal; 97% of participants completed the study, which is very high; researchers randomly assigned people to groups, which reduces bias; and they measured blood pressure carefully using multiple readings. However, the study only lasted 12 weeks of intervention, and the benefits didn’t continue after the program ended. The study also only included Black adults in Boston, so results may not apply to other groups or locations.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people receiving the DASH-patterned grocery delivery program lowered their systolic blood pressure (the top number) by an average of 5.7 points, while those receiving money to shop themselves only lowered it by 2.3 points. This 3.4-point difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

The DASH grocery group also lowered their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by 2.4 points more than the self-directed group. Additionally, people in the DASH group reduced their sodium intake by about 545 mg per day, which is important because high sodium raises blood pressure. Their LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) also dropped by 8 points more than the comparison group.

These improvements happened over just 12 weeks, suggesting that having access to healthy food and professional guidance can create relatively quick benefits. The reductions in blood pressure were meaningful—even small drops in blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke over time.

Interestingly, the program did not significantly affect body weight or blood sugar levels (hemoglobin A1c). This suggests that the blood pressure benefits came primarily from the types of foods eaten (lower sodium, more vegetables and fruits) rather than from weight loss. The study also found that the benefits did not continue after the 12-week program ended. When researchers checked blood pressure again 6 months after the program started (3 months after it ended), the improvements had largely disappeared. This suggests that people need to continue following the DASH eating pattern to maintain the health benefits.

Previous research has shown that the DASH diet lowers blood pressure in controlled settings, but this is one of the first studies to test whether it works when groceries are delivered to people’s homes in real communities. The blood pressure reductions found here (5.7 points) are similar to what was seen in earlier DASH studies, suggesting that the diet works just as well in real-world settings as it does in controlled environments. However, the fact that benefits didn’t last after the program ended is an important new finding that wasn’t as well documented in previous research.

Several limitations should be considered: First, the benefits only lasted while people were in the program—they disappeared after it ended, suggesting people need ongoing support. Second, the study only included Black adults in Boston, so results may not apply to other racial groups or geographic areas. Third, the study lasted only 12 weeks of active intervention, which is relatively short. Fourth, people who received the DASH groceries may have had more motivation or support than those who just received money, which could have influenced results. Finally, the study didn’t measure whether people actually ate all the groceries delivered or how much they enjoyed the food, which could affect real-world success.

The Bottom Line

If you have slightly elevated blood pressure and live in an area with limited access to healthy groceries, a program that delivers DASH-style groceries with dietitian support appears to be effective for lowering blood pressure. The evidence suggests moderate confidence in this approach for short-term benefits (3 months). However, you should plan to continue the program long-term to maintain benefits, as improvements don’t last after stopping. This should be done under medical supervision, especially if you’re taking blood pressure medication.

This research is most relevant for Black adults living in urban areas with limited grocery store access who have blood pressure readings between 120-150 (systolic) and are not yet on blood pressure medication. It may also apply to other groups with similar circumstances, though the study didn’t test this. People already on blood pressure medication should talk to their doctor before making dietary changes. Those with easy access to healthy groceries may see different results.

Based on this study, you could expect to see blood pressure improvements within 3 months of starting the program. However, these benefits appear to require ongoing participation—they don’t last after stopping. For long-term benefits, plan to maintain the DASH eating pattern indefinitely rather than viewing it as a temporary intervention.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings weekly at the same time of day (morning is best). Record the average of 2-3 readings per session. Also track daily sodium intake by logging meals and using a food database to estimate sodium content. Aim to see a downward trend in blood pressure over 4-6 weeks and sodium intake below 2,300 mg per day.
  • Use the app to plan weekly DASH-style meals by selecting recipes that emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-sodium options. Set reminders to purchase these items weekly and log what you actually eat. Connect with a dietitian through the app if available for personalized guidance, similar to the study program.
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard that shows blood pressure trends over months and years. Set monthly check-ins to review whether you’re maintaining the DASH eating pattern. Since benefits don’t last after stopping, use the app to send reminders about the importance of ongoing adherence. Track not just blood pressure but also energy levels, how you feel, and any barriers to maintaining the diet.

This research suggests that DASH-patterned grocery delivery may help lower blood pressure, but it is not a substitute for medical care. If you have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication, consult your doctor before making significant dietary changes. Blood pressure management should be individualized based on your specific health situation. This study was conducted in a specific population (Black adults in Boston) and results may not apply to everyone. Always work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan appropriate for your needs.