A new study from Imperial College London suggests that how potatoes are cooked plays an important role in their effect on blood pressure and body weight.
While some past studies have linked eating potatoes to higher blood pressure and obesity, they did not always take into account how the potatoes were prepared or the overall quality of a person’s diet.
In this study, researchers examined potato consumption, cooking methods, diet quality, and their impact on blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI).
They analyzed data from 2,696 people aged 40-59 in the U.S. and U.K., taken from the International Study of Macro- and Micro-Nutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP).
Key findings:
- Eating boiled, mashed, or baked potatoes did not show any clear link to blood pressure or BMI.
- In U.S. women, eating more fried potatoes was linked to higher blood pressure—with systolic pressure increasing by 2.29 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 1.14 mmHg. This was independent of body weight.
- Fried potatoes were also linked to increased BMI in U.S. women, but no such link was found in men.
- Women who ate fried potatoes as part of unhealthy, low-quality meals had higher blood pressure, while those who ate them in healthier meals did not show this effect.
The study suggests that fried potatoes, rather than potatoes in general, may contribute to higher blood pressure and weight gain, particularly in women.
Additionally, the overall quality of the meal matters—fried potatoes eaten as part of a poor-nutrient diet are more strongly linked to blood pressure increases.
This research, led by Ghadeer S. Aljuraiban, was published in Clinical Nutrition. The findings highlight the importance of healthy meal choices and cooking methods, suggesting that potatoes themselves are not harmful, but how they are prepared and what they are eaten with can make a big difference in health outcomes.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and top 10 choices for a blood pressure-friendly diet
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about impact of vitamins on high blood pressure you need to know, and the powerful link between high blood pressure and a potassium-rich diet.
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