Archive · 7 Aug 2025
Study: French Fries Consumption Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk
Eating French fries three times a week might make you more likely to get diabetes, a disease where your body has trouble with sugar.
A study looked at a lot of people and found that French fries, specifically, had this effect.
Other ways of eating potatoes, like baked or mashed, didn't have the same problem.
Eating whole grains instead of potatoes could actually help lower your risk of diabetes.
So, it's a good idea to limit French fries and eat healthy carbs instead.
Eating three servings of French fries weekly is linked to a 20% higher diabetes risk.
Boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes do not significantly increase diabetes risk.
The study involved over 200,000 participants tracked for decades.
Replacing potatoes with whole grains may lower diabetes risk.
Researchers from Harvard and Cambridge Universities were involved in the study.
- Who
- Researchers from Harvard, Cambridge Universities and over 200,000 participants.
- What
- Study shows eating French fries may increase the risk of diabetes.
- When
- Study tracked participants for decades.
- Where
- US-based studies were analyzed.
- Why
- To determine the impact of different potato preparations on diabetes risk.
Main Study Finding
Important Considerations
Potato Preparation
Main Study Finding
Frequent French fry consumption increases diabetes risk.
Important Considerations
Other forms of potato do not significantly affect diabetes risk.
Carbohydrate Substitution
Main Study Finding
Replacing potatoes with whole grains is recommended.
Important Considerations
Replacing potatoes with white rice may increase the risk.
- French fries & Diabetes Risk
- 20% increase with 3 servings/week
- Participants
- Over 200,000 adults
- Study Duration
- Decades
- Potatoes (other forms) & Diabetes Risk
- No significant increase
- Replacing French Fries with Whole Grains
- May reduce risk by 19%