Consuming a high amount of potatoes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially among obese individuals, according to researchers from Harvard University.
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| Consuming a high amount of potatoes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Photo: TTO) |
The study, conducted on nearly 85,000 women, was published in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Potatoes are often considered beneficial for health; however, they also contain a high glycemic index (GI) – a factor that rapidly increases blood sugar levels. Over time, this increase can damage the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin, which is essential for blood sugar metabolism.
Older adults who are overweight or sedentary may be particularly affected by high GI foods due to their tendency to exhibit insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes.
Thomas L. Halton, the lead researcher, stated that he and his colleagues found that women who consumed the most potatoes had a 14% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who ate them the least over a span of 20 years. Notably, women who frequently consumed French-style salmon – a dish often paired with fried potatoes – had a risk increase of up to 21% compared to those who ate this dish the least.
Whole grain rice (unrefined rice), high-fiber vegetables, fruits, white flour products, and legumes have a lower GI than potatoes. Therefore, replacing potatoes with these foods may help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
T.VY (According to Reuters)
