(P24-003-23) Effects of White Potato Consumption on Measures of Cardiometabolic Health in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: Diet plays an important role in the treatment of type-2 diabetes (T2D). Studies suggest high glycemic index (GI) foods, in moderate amounts, may be safely incorporated into the diets of those with T2D. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are nutrient-dense vegetables, containing vitamins, minerals (e.g., potassium), fiber, and phytochemicals, which have been shown to improve cardiometabolic health. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that daily consumption of white potatoes will contribute to improvements in cardiometabolic health in individuals with T2D.

Methods: For this randomized, cross-over study, participants with T2D (n=24, 45-80 y, BMI 25-40 kg/m²) were assigned to receive baked white potato (100g cooked with skin) or a calorie-matched refined grain (75g cooked long-grain white rice) daily for 12-weeks, followed by a 2-week washout, and then the other diet intervention. Outcome variables included indices of glycemic control, blood pressure, lipids, endothelial function, inflammation, and body composition assessed at a single baseline visit and at 6- and 12-week visits during each intervention.

Results: There were treatment effects over the 6- and 12-week timepoints for the potato regimen, with lower values for waist circumference (P < 0.0001; 4.5±1.0cm), percent fat mass (P=0.01;1.7±0.7%), fat mass (P=0.008; 1.8±0.7 kg), waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.002;0.025±0.013), heart rate (P=0.01; 3.1±1.2bpm), as well as higher values for percent fat free mass (P=0.05;1.4±0.7%) and maximum brachial artery dilation (P=0.05;0.074±0.037mm) when compared to the rice regimen. There was also a tendency for a treatment effect for lower fasting blood glucose levels (P=0.09; 9.8±5.7 mg/dL) when compared to the rice regimen.

Conclusions: Results from this study show that the addition of 100g/d of white potatoes in the diet of adults with T2D had no deleterious effects on glycemic indices, vascular health, lipid profiles, and blood pressure and may offer modest improvements in body composition, fasting blood glucose levels, and some vascular measures compared to a calorie-matched refined grain. Overall, results from this study support intake of whole white potatoes, when substituted for other foods with a high glycemic load such as long-grain white rice, in populations with T2D.

Funding Sources: Alliance for Potato Research and Education