Do you believe it is possible to eat potatoes and lose weight? A new study says you can! The study called Potatoes, Glycemic Index and Weight Loss in Free Living Individuals: Practical Implications is available from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Researchers with the University of California at Davis and the Illinois Institute of Technology were seeking a better understanding of the role of calorie reduction and the glycemic index in weight loss when potatoes were included in the diet. They tested 90 overweight men and women -randomly assigning them to one of three groups reduced calorie/high glycemic index; reduced calorie/low glycemic index; or a control group with no calorie or glycemic index restrictions. The three groups were provided potatoes, healthy recipes and advised to consume five to seven servings of potatoes per week.
Following the 12-week study, all three groups had lost weight and there was no significant difference in weight loss between the groups. The control group also reduced its caloric intake and lost weight even though it was not provided with a specific calorie restriction.
The fact that all groups, even the control group, lost weight is a curious finding and provides cause for future research, said co-investigator Dr. Tissa Kappagoda, MD, PhD.
Some people have questioned the role of potatoes in a weight loss regimen because of the vegetables designation as a high glycemic index food, added lead study investigator Dr. Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD. However, the results of this study confirm what health professionals and nutrition experts have said for years: it is not about eliminating a certain food or food groups, rather it is reducing calories that count. There is no evidence that potatoes, when prepared in a healthful manner, contribute to weight gain. In fact, we are seeing that they can be part of a weightloss program.
Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.