French fries are a favorite food of Americans. However, a recent large study found that eating 3 or more servings of French fries a week is associated with a 20% increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The same risk is not found with eating other forms of potatoes, such as mashed, baked, or boiled.
There was a dose response effect with French fry consumption - the more servings a person ate per week, the greater the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For 3 servings per week, there was a 20% increase in type 2 diabetes, but consuming 5 or more servings of French fries weekly was associated with a 27% higher rate of type 2 diabetes (when compared to people who rarely ate French fries, that is, less than 1 serving per week).
Also, replacing 3 servings per week of any form of potatoes with whole grains lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but not replacing potatoes with white rice. White rice is linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Why is that? There is lots of fiber in whole grains and in whole potatoes (especially the skin), which is not present in French fries and white rice. Whole potatoes are also a good source for a number of nutrients, such as vitamin C, potassium, polyphenols, and magnesium. Many studies find that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts is linked to a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes.
From Science Daily: What scientists discovered about french fries and diabetes
Eating three servings of French fries a week is associated with a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but eating similar amounts of potatoes cooked in other ways -- boiled, baked or mashed -- does not substantially increase the risk, finds a study published by The BMJ on August 6. ...continue reading "French Fries and Diabetes"