Are you one of those people for whom comfort food is synonymous with French fries? Well, you are not alon, but here's some news that may not make you too happy. The crunchy and delectable goodness that we have all come to love and reach out for ever so often may not really be sugar and spice and everything nice. In fact, it could even kill you.
A research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has found that regular consumption of fried potatoes could be linked to a higher risk of premature death. While the research doesn't provide concrete evidence that people who consumed French fries on a regular basis died early, it said that participants who ate fried potatoes had more chances of it than those who did not consume the food as frequently.
For the study, researchers kept tabs on the food habits of 4,440 participants aged between 45 and 79 years over a period of eight years. Their food habits were monitored through a questionnaire and during the eight-year period 236 participants died.
While the researchers didn't find a link between people who ate potatoes in other forms – baked and boiled – and death, they did find a connection between people who frequently ate fried potatoes and premature death. "The frequent consumption of fried potatoes appears to be associated with an increased mortality risk," the researchers concluded, but also said that more study was required to confirm the findings.
Meanwhile, dietician Jessica Cording explained to Yahoo Beauty that she doesn't really find these results shocking. "Fried potatoes are a food that provides a lot of calories, sodium, and sometimes trans fat, but contributes minimal nutrition," she said9. "They don't actively do the body many favors in that respect."
But Cording also believes that additional factors like how many potatoes does one consume and what else comprises their daily diet should also be taken into consideration.
"There's a big difference between eating 10 fries along with a salad with some lean protein, and with eating a large container of fries to go with a bacon cheeseburger," she added.
However, bringing some relief to fries lovers, Cording believes that it's not all bad and that one can indulge in some of the fried goodness occasionally.
