The potato: a cure for obesity?
The potato is present in many diets, known mainly for its carbohydrate intake. But what if the bass food in the cupboard of every home was some kind of “cure” for obesity?
This is in any case the surprising conclusions of a team of researchers from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec(1).
The study
The study involved giving mice a rich diet that led to obesity. Mice that consumed this diet for 10 weeks went from an average of 25 g to 41 g, an average weight gain of 16 g. Thus giving obese mice.
The same diet was given to other mice, but supplemented with potato intake. In this case, the results are different. Indeed, the mice that consumed these 2 associated diets gained less weight than their congeners, gainingonly7 grams on average.
Why does the potato have such an effect?
The potato is best known for its carbohydrate intake. But it is also a source of polyphenols. Indeed, they have a roleas natural antioxidantsand arouse more and more interest in the prevention and treatment of cancer, inflammatory, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. They are also used as additives for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries(2).
According to the study, potato extracts would therefore be a solution against obesitybut also against type 2 diabetes. Stan KUBOW, lead author of the research, points out that the daily dose comes from the extract of 30 potatoes. The researchers do not advise, obviously, to consume 30 potatoes a day, the calorie intake would be enormous, but rather to offer this intake in the form of food supplements, or an ingredient to add in our kitchen.
A solution that costs nothing
The potato is an easy food to produce, very cheap, and is present in the staple diet of many countries. Itwould therefore bea solution accessible to many people, without necessarily drastically changing their daily lives.
As the study is not definitive, clinical trials are planned to define the exact effect on men, and also to determine the daily dose needed by men and women. These clinical trials should allow the team of researchers at McGill University to patent their potato extract, making this “treatment” accessible to the population.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.