top of page

French Fries: A Beloved Treat That Could Raise Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 20%


ree

A beloved food many of us can’t resist might be raising the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 20 percent, according to a recent article in the New York Post. The culprit? French fries.


Researchers at Harvard University followed more than 205,000 participants for 30 years to better understand how different forms of potatoes affect health. They found that eating French fries three times a week was associated with a 20 percent higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.


Other potato preparations, such as baked, boiled, or plain mashed potatoes, did not carry the same risk. In fact, swapping French fries for whole grains like quinoa or brown rice could lower the risk by nearly 19 percent. Even replacing fries with refined grains such as white bread offered a modest benefit.


Dr. Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, the study’s lead author, explained that it’s not about labeling potatoes as simply “good” or “bad,” but rather paying attention to how they’re prepared. Co-author Professor Walter Willett echoed that sentiment, noting that limiting French fries and choosing healthy, whole-grain carbohydrates could be a powerful step toward reducing diabetes risk.


Similar research from Edith Cowan University in Australia supports these findings, showing that while boiled potatoes do not increase diabetes risk, mashed potatoes—often loaded with butter and cream—can. The results suggest that the added fats and cooking methods may be the real issue, not the potato itself.


Potatoes in their simplest form still offer plenty of nutritional benefits. They’re rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, and they contain resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports digestive health. Even their natural compounds, like glycoalkaloids, are being studied for potential cancer-fighting properties. Nutritionist Caroline Susie summed it up well: “Potatoes are just fantastic—what happens is, unfortunately, we tend to screw them up by not eating the skin or frying or mixing them with everything under the sun.”


The takeaway from the Harvard study is clear. While French fries may always have a place as an occasional indulgence, making small changes—like enjoying them less often, opting for baked or boiled potatoes, or choosing whole grains instead—can meaningfully lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.


 
 

Connect With Us!

Check out our social media channels for helpful diabetic news and recipes.

  • Youtube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
Direct Diabetes logo - green and blue circle with words underneath

10643 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Suite 102

Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259

480-998-5551

1-888-880-8378

Business Hours:
Monday-Friday
8am-4pm

  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Spotify
  • Apple Music
  • Amazon

© Direct Diabetes

bottom of page