Dig This — New Study Sings the Praises of Eating Potatoes

Alsum potatoes harvest

French fried or not, a newly published study sings the praises of eating potatoes.
Photo by Carol Miller

Another respected health institution has confirmed potatoes are healthy for you. A Boston University School of Medicine study involving more than 2,500 middle-aged and older adults examined how consuming fried and non-fried potatoes impacted three cardiometabolic outcomes. The study lasted roughly four years.

The research team took a look at any cardiometabolic impact from potatoes cooked in different ways. Here how those participating in the study prepared the potatoes they consumed:

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  • 36% Baked
  • 28% Fried
  • 14% Mashed
  • 9% Boiled
  • (Remainder cooked in other ways)

Eating more potatoes, even fried potatoes, had no correlation with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, or elevated triglycerides.

And when potato consumption paired with more exercise, the team saw lower risks.

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• Fried potatoes and exercise lower impaired fasting glucose risk by 24%.

• Eating more fried potatoes combined with increased exercise and lower red-meat consumption lowers the risk of elevated triglycerides by 26%.

The team found no correlation between potato consumption and any of the other cardiometabolic functions.

To read the entire study: “Potato Consumption Is Not Associated with Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes in Framingham Offspring Study Adults,” visit cambridge.org.

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