French Fries: Bad News For Diabetes Risk
A recent investigation from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that eating French fries three times a week might increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20 percent — but boiled, baked, and mashed potatoes don’t appear to significantly raise risk.
The research, based on nearly 40 years of data from over 205,000 U.S. health professionals, also showed that replacing any form of potatoes with whole grains lowered diabetes risk, especially when French fries were swapped out (19 percent lower risk). In contrast, replacing potatoes with white rice increased diabetes risk.
Potatoes are rich in nutrients like fiber and vitamin C but have a high glycemic index. The study emphasizes that how potatoes are prepared and what foods they replace are crucial in determining their impact on health. While the investigation is observational, it supports current dietary advice favoring whole grains and avoiding fried foods.
Try this recipe today: Stuffed Potatoes
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