July/August 2019 - 26

Potato nutrition - what's hot and what's not
New research
POTATOES USA
Jill Rittenberg &
John Toaspern
continues to emerge
about the nutritional
benefits potatoes as
America's favorite
vegetable. Recently, two review articles
were published in the American Journal of
Potato Research.
" Potato as a Source of Nutrition for
Physical Performance " by Mitch Kanter and
Chelsea Elkin discussed the latest science
on nutrition needs for optimal physical
performance. The article focuses on the
potential positive impact of high-quality,
nutrient-dense carbohydrates versus lowquality
carbohydrates on performance,
the nutritional benefits of white potatoes,
the merits of a balanced diet for athletes,
the role of calorie-dense simple sugars on
performance and the evolving role of protein
in the athlete's diet.
" Potatoes, Nutrition and Health " by
Katherine Beals examined potatoes as a
dietary staple, noting that their hardiness,
economy and nutrient density make
potatoes an invaluable crop around the
world. The research review included an
overview of potato nutrient content as well
as a critical evaluation of the existing -
and sometimes controversial - research
examining potatoes, ranging from the
glycemic index, diabetes, chronic disease
and weight gain.
In addition, the potato industry is investing
in scientific research covering a range of
nutrition, including potato benefits and
athletic performance. The Alliance of Potato
Research & Education in currently working on
the following studies:
* " Ingestion of Potatoes as a Nutritional
Strategy to Improve Cycling Time-Trial
Performance in Endurance Trained
Cyclists, " Nicholas Burd, University
of Illinois
* " Anabolic Properties of Potato Derived
Protein, " Luc van Loon, Maastricht
University
* " Effects of Potato-Based Supplemental
Feedings on Glycogen Recovery, Exercise
Performance, " Brent Ruby, FACSM,
University of Montana
* " Potato-Supported Strategies to Increase
Carbohydrate Oxidation, Race Economy
and Performance During Endurance
Exercise, " Louise Burke, Australian
Institute of Sport
* " The Effects of Potato Protein on Rates
of Myofibrillar Muscle Protein Synthesis
in Young Women, " Stuart Phillips,
McMaster University
Unfortunately, there are still scientists out
there who do not understand the nutritional
benefits of potatoes. A New York Times
article, titled " You Don't Want Fries With
That, " in which Harvard professor Eric Rimm
referred to potatoes as " starch bombs, " got
a lot of attention. Rimm recommended that
people cut down consumption, including
suggesting that just six fries should be
considered at a serving.
Rimm's recommendation came on the
heels of a 2017 study published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which
concluded that the frequent consumption of
fried potatoes is associated with increased
mortality. However, the study suffered from a
number of methodological weaknesses and
analytical flaws that severely impacted its
validity, as well as the generalizability of the
results. The potato industry responded to the
journal with a letter to the editor, which the
journal published in April 2018.
In addition, the EAT-Lancet Commission
on Food, Planet and Health - a group
of 30 scientists worldwide - announced
recommendations in January for a " universal
healthy reference diet " which would
emphasize reducing the consumption
of animal-based products in favor of a
plant-based diet. The commission also
recommended that the global population
should consume just 50 grams (or 39
calories) of " starchy vegetables " per day.
Fortunately, positive potato nutrition
headlines continue to dominate mainstream
media. From citing potatoes as an ideal
source of plant-based protein to including
potatoes in features on the best types of
carbohydrates, numerous print and online
stories have been published in recent
months, including by Good Housekeeping,
Men's Health, Outside, Well and Good and
many others.
Jill Rittenberg is the global marketing
manager, consumer and nutrition for Potatoes
USA. John Toaspern is Potatoes USA's chief
marketing officer.
We can talk all day about our high quality
machines for storage and processing, but...
... it's the result
that counts
www.tolsma-usa.com
26
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July/August 2019

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