In a new study, researchers found that eating fries every day could be as healthy as eating almonds. The results show that there are no significant differences in terms of metabolic health when consuming the two foods. Daily servings of 300-calorie fries in the diet did not lead to weight gain compared to equivalent amounts of almonds. There were also no significant changes in biomarkers associated with impaired glycemic control.
Why fries also have a healthy effect on the body
The research team revealed that the health risks previously thought by nutritionists depend on the amount of fries eaten. When it comes to weight gain or Risk factors for type 2 diabetes the study authors found no evidence of unhealthy effects from regular consumption of fried potatoes. Accordingly, dietary recommendations that focus primarily on isolated foods may miss their mark. Therefore, the more effective approach to nutritional advice would likely be to consider the overall diet, lifestyle, individual needs and risk factors, researchers said.
In the study, the team compared the changes in body composition: body fat mass, body weight, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. 180 adults ate French fries or almonds in the intervention groups during the month-long study. As expected, given the difference in carbohydrate content between french fries and almonds, blood sugar and insulin levels were higher after eating the former. However, these values were not elevated beyond a normal range. In addition, the difference had no apparent impact on other biomarkers related to blood sugar.
Correlation between almonds and potatoes
At the end of the investigation, the changes in the body of the participants from the two intervention groups were comparable and not clinically significant. The study results show that two foods previously linked for opposite health risk associations had no differences in effects. The study authors examined a subgroup of five people after eating. In this way, they wanted to find out whether fries had a healthy effect on their blood sugar levels.
Nevertheless, such a study design allows for the collection of real-world data. It also omitted those with type 2 diabetes. This limited the applicability of the results to people who do not have the disease. In the research literature, regular consumption of fries is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. However, according to the researchers, there is little evidence to support this assumption. Research leader David Allison and his team set out to conduct research that would provide a definitive answer about the link between physical health and regular fried potato consumption.
The Health Potential of French Fries and Almonds
According to a global meta-analysis, the Consumption of fried foods associated with an increased risk of serious heart disease and stroke. However, experts warn that no conclusions can be drawn due to the wide spread of research and other confounding factors. Other research suggests that eating baked or boiled potatoes reduces sodium retention more effectively than supplementation, as well as lowering systolic hypertension.
Meanwhile, Canadian scientists found that calorie labeling on almonds may not accurately reflect the number of calories consumed. This prompted the authors of present study concluded that the results may allay concerns about almonds’ contribution to weight gain.