Potato Refuses to Be Mashed, Demands to Be a Waffle Fry.....

Potatoes rank as the world’s third most eaten staple crop, following only rice and wheat. In the parts of the world, type 2 diabetes, strongly associated with dietary habits, accounts for 90% of the diabetes cases.

Which potato preparation is the healthiest? Potatoes themselves aren’t inherently unhealthy, but the cooking method makes all the difference.A study by a Harvard University public health expert has uncovered a troubling link between frequent chip consumption and a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.According to The Guardian, the study analyzed dietary data from 205,000 U.S. healthcare professionals, tracking their food habits over nearly four decades (1984–2021) through detailed questionnaires.The study, revealed that eating chips three times a week raises the risk of the disease by 20%, jumping to 27% for those who consume them five times a week.However the research showed a stark contrast,while chips significantly raised risk, non-fried potato dishes consumed just as often led to only a 5% increase.

                     

Researchers emphasized that while potatoes aren’t inherently unhealthy but Potatoes’ high starch content gives them a high glycemic impact, and when paired with nutrient loss and potential hazards from certain cooking methods, this could negatively affect health.The study revealed striking differences when substituting potatoes with other carbohydrates. Replacing potatoes with whole grains decreases diabetes risk by 8%, while swapping chips for whole grains offered even greater protection, a 19% reduction.

Conversely, xchanging potatoes for white rice was associated with increased risk.Nutrition scientists clarified that Potatoes themselves are nutritious, when boiled, baked or mashed, they're naturally fat-free and deliver essential nutrients including potassium, vitamin C and dietary fiber. The key is avoiding unhealthy preparation methods that undermine these benefits.However, deep-frying transforms potatoes into chips or fries that pose health concerns, particularly when consumed in large, salt-laden portions. 

This processing creates a high-fat, high-calorie food that significantly elevates risks for weight gain and type 2 diabetes development.While highlighting these patterns, researchers clarified their study revealed correlations rather than definitive causation.

By: Akhtar Bukhari