Potatoes have been a staple food for centuries. To this day, they remain one of the most popular vegetables, with people continuously discovering new ways to prepare and enjoy them. But over time, potatoes have also gained a bad reputation, particularly for their heavy carbohydrate content. This starchy vegetable is said to spike blood sugar levels and cause weight gain. In fact, according to the US Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, "diets high in potatoes and similarly rapidly digested, high-carbohydrate foods can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease."
But a recently published study says otherwise, suggesting that consuming more potatoes actually reduces the risk of mortality. Let’s see the details.
Also Read: Potatoes Are A Staple But Some People May Have To Watch Their Intake
About The Study
The study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, looked at and evaluated the link between potato consumption and death from various causes, including heart disease.
It followed a large group of Norwegians for over three decades, spanning from 1974 to 1988. Researchers collected data on 77,297 adults and invited them to undergo three health screenings. They collected information about their dietary intakes to understand the amount of potatoes they consumed.
It was found that most people in the study ate boiled potatoes regularly.
Erik Kristoffer Arnesen, one of the authors of the study and a PhD candidate at the University of Oslo’s Department of Nutrition, along with his team, found that people who ate the most potatoes—14 or more per week—had a slightly lower risk of death from all causes compared to those who ate the least—6 or fewer per week.
There was also a small decrease in the risk of death from heart disease, coronary artery disease (a type of heart disease), and heart attack with higher potato intake, the researchers noted.
In an interaction with Verywell, Arnesen said, "Potatoes have not been part of the official dietary guidelines due to insufficient evidence of health effects," adding that while research on potato intake exists, "they often look at processed potato products (such as fries), which may not be relevant for plain potatoes.”
In addition, he shared, "Nearly all previous studies have only looked at potato intake measured once, not accounting for changes in intake over time.”
However, it is important to note that these findings were just associations, not a cause-and-effect relationship. This means that eating more potatoes might not directly prevent death or heart disease, and that other lifestyle factors could be at play too. However, this study suggests that including boiled potatoes in your diet as part of a healthy lifestyle might offer some benefits.
Also Read: Importance Of Getting Enough Potassium: What Food One Should Incorporate
Benefits Of Potatoes
While overeating potatoes has been associated with poor health outcomes, there are certain benefits to eating this vegetable, given that it is done in a healthy, balanced manner.
According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, potatoes contain important nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Moreover, it might be interesting to note that boiled potatoes, in particular, have a low glycemic index, which means they cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels, making them a good choice for people with diabetes or prediabetes, as per News Medical.
The potassium in potatoes can also help you manage your blood pressure levels better, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Remember that moderation is key and cooking potatoes the right way can have a significant difference in how it impacts your body.