Study links french fries to higher diabetes risk, other potato dishes show no significant link

A large study published in The BMJ found that eating three servings of french fries per week was associated with a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes showed no significant increase in risk. The research, based on data from more than 205,000 U.S. health professionals tracked for nearly 40 years, also found that replacing potatoes with whole grains lowered diabetes risk, while substituting them with white rice had the opposite effect. The study drew on dietary questionnaires completed every four years by participants who did not have diabetes, heart disease, or cancer at the start. During follow-up, 22,299 participants developed type 2 diabetes. Researchers noted that the association between potato intake and diabetes risk depends on preparation methods and replacement foods. An accompanying editorial argued that potatoes should not be viewed as a single category for health effects and that baked, boiled, and mashed potatoes can fit into a healthy diet. The study was observational and cannot prove causation, and the participants were predominantly health professionals of European ancestry.

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Sources: ScienceDaily