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Nutrition Science

Research Pipeline

The Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) was established in June 2011 to advance the scientific understanding of the role potatoes play in promoting health, including the role of potatoes on cardiometabolic health, healthy dietary patterns, and healthy lifestyles (with an emphasis on athletic performance and life stages). These summaries highlight research currently underway.

CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH

Impact of a Low Glycemic Load (GL) Diet Containing Potatoes on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)

University of Arkansas

A clinical trial investigating the short- and long-term effects of consuming various forms of potatoes as part of low GL diets in MetS subjects on markers of cardiometabolic health, such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Participants will consume at least four potato meals per week as part of a low GL meal, either prepared white potatoes or processed fried potatoes.

Effects of White Potato Consumption on Measures of Cardiometabolic Health in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Florida State University

A clinical trial with an epidemiologic component examining whether daily consumption of white potatoes contributes to improvements in cardiometabolic health and diet quality in subjects with type 2 diabetes, compared to a calorie-matched refined grain group Epidemiological data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2016) will be used to assess dietary intakes as well as the most common potato preparation methods among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of Potato Form and Consumption Pattern on Acute Glycaemia and Glucose Kinetics in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

University of Surrey

A clinical trial among adults with type 2 diabetes investigating the impact of consuming different white potato preparations (boiled whole, boiled mashed, and baked French fries), at recommended portion levels, as part of a mixed meal. The study will evaluate how various potato forms impact post-meal metabolic responses (e.g., plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels).

Postprandial glycemia and satiety of meals with potatoes, with and without protein

University of Toronto

A randomized cross-over clinical study investigating appetite and food intake among young adults after consumption of potatoes with either animal or vegetarian protein sources compared to pasta. Participants will consume mashed potatoes, fried potatoes and pasta during different meal occasions, plus a meat or meat-substitute protein. Food intake, glucose, insulin and satiety will be measured after the meal.

Developing healthy potato-based meals with delayed gastric emptying, prolonged energy supply, and modulated postprandial glycemic response in healthy adults

Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI)

A randomized controlled trial evaluating if the sequence of food intake can better manage after-meal blood sugar control, and prolong the energy supply from potatoes, as part of a healthy meal. Participants will be instructed to eat leafy vegetables first, followed by meat and ending with potato foods. Blood sugar, insulin, GLP-1 gut hormone and satiety will be measured to assess digestion and gastric emptying time of the potatoes.

Investigation into the cardiometabolic health effects of white potatoes, mediated by improved sleep quality, nocturnal glycemia, and endothelial function – three novel inter-related mechanisms

Kings College London

An epidemiological study evaluating the contribution of potato consumption, as part of a healthy diet, to changes in body fat and blood pressure throughout adolescence in young girls. The study will also evaluate the effects of potato consumption on the risk of elevated glucose levels or dyslipidemias at the end of adolescence.

Clinical and metabolic and effects of a plant-forward diet enriched with white potatoes in Latino adults with type 2 diabetes

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute

A 26-week randomized controlled trial to investigate the therapeutic effects of a culturally tailored, plant-forward dietary intervention including the daily consumption of white potatoes in 40 socioeconomically disadvantaged Latino adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Findings from this study may help elevate the important role potatoes play in supporting healthy and accessible plant-forward diets that meet the needs of culturally diverse traditional diets. This study could also add further substantiation to the benefits of a ‘total diet’ approach versus the impact of a single food on health outcomes.

Potato consumption, healthy and unhealthy plant-based diet, and cardiometabolic health: a harmonized meta-analysis of seven US cohorts

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

A meta-analysis to define associations of total potato consumption, and subgroups of potatoes by preparation method, and incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. This analysis will also investigate how the plant-based dietary index (PDI), healthy PDI and unhealthy PDI modify the above association. All potato forms are involved (e.g., baked, boiled, fried, etc.) and this will be the first known observational study to utilize dietary patterns based on adherence to the PDI to control for bias, potentially underscoring the importance of the mediating effects of the overall dietary pattern. Results may directly challenge a longstanding approach to categorize a priori foods that researchers deem as “unhealthy” (which oftentimes includes potatoes).

HEALTHY DIETARY PATTERNS

Determination of the Impact of Cooking Method on Quality of Potato Protein as Determined Using In Vitro Approaches

University of Manitoba

An in vitro investigation of factors impacting the quality of potato protein in Russet potatoes subjected to various cooking methods: boiled, baked, fried and microwaved. The study will also compare protein quality of potatoes to other protein sources, such as casein and soy. The use of an artificial gut model will allow for measurements of glycemic index and other related parameters, like protein digestion rates and potassium bioavailability.

Long-Term Effects of a Potato-Based Food Pattern vs a Rice/ Pasta-Based Food Pattern on Fasting and Postprandial Cardiometabolic Health

Maastricht University

A clinical trial assessing the effect of a potato-based, carbohydrate-rich, healthy eating pattern, compared to the same meal with white rice or pasta in overweight and obese healthy adults. The study will measure changes in blood sugar concentration, along with glucose and lipid metabolism endpoints, all of which are considered well-established markers for cardiovascular disease.

Effects of Potatoes, Prepared in Various Forms, in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet on Blood Pressure in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Texas Tech University

A clinical trial examining the effects of following a DASH eating plan that either includes five servings of fried potatoes, five servings of non-fried potatoes, or no potatoes each week, for five weeks, on blood pressure, other anthropometric measures and subjective feelings of hunger and satiety among adults with type 2 diabetes. All study participants will consume the same standard DASH eating plan for a three-week period, followed by a random assignment to one of the test DASH eating plans.

Project Proteos

Global Dairy Platform, Inc.

An analysis exercise, assessing potato protein quality via the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS). DIAAS values of 100 products, including potatoes, will be published in a standard reference database that can be used by authorities.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

A Short-Term Potato-Enriched Diet to Support Muscle Accretion and Promote Substrate Metabolism Adaptations in Recreationally Active Individuals

Swinburne University of Technology, Australia

A clinical trial investigating the effect of a potato-enriched, non- animal protein diet, compared to a diet with protein derived from only animal-based sources. The study will measure differences in muscle protein response to exercise in healthy, young males and will include potatoes in various forms (e.g., mashed, baked, chips), with 50% of daily protein derived from potatoes in the non-animal protein diet for a two- week period.

White potatoes as an effective dietary source during weight loss by energy restriction and exercise training

Liverpool John Moores University

A clinical trial investigating if energy restriction, using a potato-based diet plus aerobic exercise, can enhance skeletal muscle quality. Participants will follow an energy balance (EB) diet for 5 days followed by an energy deficient (ED) diet for another 5 days; the percentage of total energy from potato-based sources will be >60% during EB and >65% during ED diets The rates of protein synthesis, abundance and degradation will be analysed to determine skeletal muscle metabolism and function.

Potato-based whole-foods versus designer sports nutrition; how potatoes and potato-based products can accelerate recovery following exercise

Maastricht University

A randomized crossover trial in 10 well-trained endurance ahtletes investigating whether potato-based food products are as effective as designer sports supplements to replenish energy stores post-exercise in endurance athletes. Athletes will be given multiple forms of potatoes/potato products (e.g., baked potatoes, potato gnocchi, potato croquettes, etc.) for two weeks, and the ability of potatoes versus designer sports supplements to replenish muscle and liver glycogen stores throughout 24 hours of post-exercise recovery will be measured. Results could potentially reinforce that potato-based food products are an effective whole-food source to improve post-exercise recovery, as compared to commercially available supplements.

LIFE STAGES

The Effect of Potatoes on Vegetable Consumption

Brigham Young University

A randomized crossover study to determine the effect of non-starchy vegetable consumption when combined with a simple carbohydrate source (rice or yeast roll) versus potatoes for overall meal and vegetable consumption in grade-school children ages 5-12 years. The study will assess total meal consumption, total starchy and non-starchy vegetable consumption as well as ratings of fullness, liking and satiety.

Potato Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Systemic analysis of rigor, reproducibility, and verifiability of current evidence

Indiana University

A systematic review of the current body of evidence on potato consumption and colorectal cancer (CRC) to determine whether drawn inferences in the existing literature are clearly supported by reported results and whether data are sufficient to offer a definite answer on the relationship between potato consumption and CRC risk. The study will also reanalyze original raw data as needed to confirm the reproducibility and verifiability of previous findings. It is designed to provide an understanding of the existing evidence and its quality by identifying any strengths, limitations or gaps in the research to date.

School-Age Children’s Diet Quality and Consumption of Vegetables by Location and Eating Occasion

Texas A&M University

An observational study to assess the contribution of total vegetables consumption, with and without potatoes, on the diet quality of school-age children by demographic and socio-economics factors. The study aims to identify any observed differences in consumption of vegetables (total vegetables, total vegetables excluding potatoes, total potatoes) on diet quality when children are attending school versus away from school, assess how family members’ food consumption influences vegetable consumption of school-age children and determine whether existing studies provide enough evidence on vegetable consumption/waste at school meals.

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