In the Nurses’ Health Study, we found that eating potatoes and French fries was associated with a modestly increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Potatoes are a staple in the American diet, but do they contribute to diabetes risk? Potatoes have what is called a high glycemic index, which means that they can raise blood glucose levels rapidly and, in turn, force the body to produce insulin in large amounts. In the Nurses’ Health Study, we found that eating potatoes and French fries was associated with a modestly increased risk of type 2 diabetes. When women substituted one serving of potatoes per day for one serving of whole-grain foods (like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, or whole-grain pasta), their risk of diabetes went up about 30%. (Halton T et al. Am J Clin Nutr2006; 83:284)