What is the link between potato consumption and heart disease?
Scientists at the Brigham Center for Women’s Health in Boston have confirmed that there is no connection between overall potato consumption and stroke or myocardial infarction, according to recent research findings.
However, according to the center’s researchers, consuming fried potatoes may increase the risk of high blood pressure due to their high calorie and excess salt content.
The journal Nutrients reported that scientists analyzed health data from 67,146 patients of different age groups to assess the risks of cardiovascular disease. Their average potato intake ranged between 1.9 and 4.2 servings per week.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, a single serving of potatoes is considered to be a whole potato or half of one, depending on its size.
The results showed no clear link between the quantity of potatoes consumed and the risk of cardiovascular disease, even after accounting for demographic, dietary, and behavioral factors. Furthermore, another analysis found no association between the consumption of baked, boiled, fried, or mashed potatoes and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, researchers point out that individuals who consume more than one serving of fried potatoes per week have a 10% higher risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who do not. Nevertheless, this effect is attributed to the increased fat and salt content in fried potatoes rather than their inherent properties.
