A new study conducted by Harvard University established a link between eating potatoes and an increased risk of developing diabetes. “The good news? Not all potatoes are equal. Many varieties can stay on your plate guilt-free — but one cooking method stands out as the real culprit.”
“We’re shifting the conversation from, ‘Are potatoes good or bad?’ to a more nuanced — and useful — question: How are they prepared, and what might we eat instead?” said lead author Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition.
Researchers tracked more than 205,000 people over three decades, closely monitoring their eating habits.
ALSO READ: Experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath? Covid's lasting damage on women's heart health revealed
Their findings were striking: eating just three servings of French fries per week raised the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20%. Other potato preparations, such as baked or mashed, didn’t show the same effect.
However, making simple swaps proved powerful. Replacing any kind of potato with whole grains lowered diabetes risk by 4%. Even more dramatic, trading French fries for whole grains reduced the risk by 19%. Surprisingly, even substituting fries with refined grains like white bread still provided some benefit.
“Limiting potatoes — especially limiting French fries — and choosing healthy, whole-grain sources of carbohydrate could help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes across the population.”
This is the second study in the past year that’s looked at the relationship between potatoes and diabetes. The last one, out of Australia, found that people who ate the most potatoes had a 9% higher diabetes risk compared to those who ate the fewest taters.
ALSO READ: Why did Raja violently assault Syko Stu? Father Quinton Jackson finally speaks out amid intense backlash
And their findings determined boiled potatoes to be the best option. “When we separated boiled potatoes from mashed potatoes, fries or [chips], boiled potatoes were no longer associated with a higher risk of diabetes. They had a null effect,” said Dr. Nicola Bondonno from Edith Cowan University’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, which conducted the research.
“It’s only fries and mashed potatoes [that increase risk], the latter likely because [they’re] usually made with butter, cream and the like.”
Choosing healthier potato recipes may be the real secret — because despite their reputation, potatoes pack a surprising number of health benefits.
ALSO READ: Streaming platform Kick bans Raja Jackson after brutal 20-punch assault on Syko Stu. All about Quinton Rampage's son
They’re rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which help protect the body against chronic illnesses like heart disease and certain cancers.
Even the starch in potatoes isn’t all bad. They contain resistant starch, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, supports digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Research from Poland in 2022 also highlighted that glycoalkaloids — natural compounds found in potatoes, peppers, and goji berries — may carry cancer-fighting potential.
“Potatoes are just fantastic,” Caroline Susie, a registered nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told NBC News.
“What happens is, unfortunately, we tend to screw them up by not eating the skin or frying or mixing them with everything under the sun, like sour cream and butter and bacon”
“We’re shifting the conversation from, ‘Are potatoes good or bad?’ to a more nuanced — and useful — question: How are they prepared, and what might we eat instead?” said lead author Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition.
Researchers tracked more than 205,000 people over three decades, closely monitoring their eating habits.
ALSO READ: Experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath? Covid's lasting damage on women's heart health revealed
Their findings were striking: eating just three servings of French fries per week raised the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20%. Other potato preparations, such as baked or mashed, didn’t show the same effect.
However, making simple swaps proved powerful. Replacing any kind of potato with whole grains lowered diabetes risk by 4%. Even more dramatic, trading French fries for whole grains reduced the risk by 19%. Surprisingly, even substituting fries with refined grains like white bread still provided some benefit.
Potatoes linked to diabetes?
“The public health message here is simple and powerful: Small changes in our daily diet can have an important impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes,” said corresponding author Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition.“Limiting potatoes — especially limiting French fries — and choosing healthy, whole-grain sources of carbohydrate could help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes across the population.”
This is the second study in the past year that’s looked at the relationship between potatoes and diabetes. The last one, out of Australia, found that people who ate the most potatoes had a 9% higher diabetes risk compared to those who ate the fewest taters.
ALSO READ: Why did Raja violently assault Syko Stu? Father Quinton Jackson finally speaks out amid intense backlash
And their findings determined boiled potatoes to be the best option. “When we separated boiled potatoes from mashed potatoes, fries or [chips], boiled potatoes were no longer associated with a higher risk of diabetes. They had a null effect,” said Dr. Nicola Bondonno from Edith Cowan University’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, which conducted the research.
“It’s only fries and mashed potatoes [that increase risk], the latter likely because [they’re] usually made with butter, cream and the like.”
Choosing healthier potato recipes may be the real secret — because despite their reputation, potatoes pack a surprising number of health benefits.
ALSO READ: Streaming platform Kick bans Raja Jackson after brutal 20-punch assault on Syko Stu. All about Quinton Rampage's son
They’re rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which help protect the body against chronic illnesses like heart disease and certain cancers.
Even the starch in potatoes isn’t all bad. They contain resistant starch, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, supports digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Research from Poland in 2022 also highlighted that glycoalkaloids — natural compounds found in potatoes, peppers, and goji berries — may carry cancer-fighting potential.
“Potatoes are just fantastic,” Caroline Susie, a registered nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told NBC News.
“What happens is, unfortunately, we tend to screw them up by not eating the skin or frying or mixing them with everything under the sun, like sour cream and butter and bacon”
