French fries are a popular food for young and old. However, they are generally considered unhealthy. But are they really? A new nutrition study surprises with its results.
French fries are unhealthy fattening foods – what is the truth of the claim?
In the research literature, regular consumption of fries has been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. According to the researchers, however, there is little evidence for this assumption. Research leader David Allison and his team therefore wanted to carry out a study that would establish a clear connection between physical health and regular consumption of French fries.
The researchers compared two randomly divided groups of 90 adults each. In one group, the test persons consumed a portion of fries with 300 calories as a snack every day for one month. The control group received a 300-calorie serving of almonds instead. Otherwise, the subjects did not change their lifestyle or diet. Almonds were chosen because they are considered healthy and are not associated with any negative health risks.
The researchers focused their attention on changes in the subjects’ body fat mass and weight. Blood sugar and insulin production were also monitored. At the end of the month, the values in both groups were “comparable and not clinically significant”.
Result: French fries contain more carbohydrates than almonds
At the end of the month, the researchers were able to determine that the group that ate French fries every day had no values outside the normal range. Almonds and fries therefore showed no differences in terms of the health of the subjects. In the French fries group, there were only higher temporary peak values for blood sugar and insulin. According to the research team, this is due to the different proportion of carbohydrates in the two foods.
Study co-author Daniel Smith therefore sees the demonization of fries – and individual foods in general – as unjustified. It makes much more sense to take a close look at a person’s entire diet in relation to their health risk and also to take factors such as daily exercise into account. According to this, fries are no more unhealthy than almonds and you can shake off the guilty conscience with the next portion of fries.
