Kocanda L, Brain K, Frawley J, et al. - Limited evidence supports the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in improving dietary intakes in the context of cardiovascular disease prophylaxis and management in rural communities.

• A systematic review of 13 articles reporting outcomes of randomized controlled trials.

• Nine electronic databases were explored from inception to June 2020.

• Nutrition interventions were compared with usual care, alternative intervention, or no intervention controls.

• In majority of studies (n = 10), effectiveness was observed in changing at least 1 dietary intake outcome, including fruit and/or vegetable (n = 9), fiber (n = 2), Dietary Risk Assessment score (n = 2), energy, dairy, carotene, vitamin C and sodium (all n = 1).

• Included studies were generally not well reported.

• People living in rural areas face a substantial burden of cardiovascular disease, thus, additional high-quality nutrition research is needed.