Potato Grower

46 POTATO GROWER | JULY 2019 POTATO NUTRITION: WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT Potatoes USA Jill Rittenberg Global Marketing Manager The potato industry is investing in scientific research that will ultimately help to strengthen the scientific link between potatoes and athletic performance. While potatoes may be an age-old dietary staple, new research continues to emerge on a regular basis about the nutrition benefits of America's favorite vegetable. Most recently, two review articles about the invaluable role of potatoes in the diet 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 low-quality 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 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 research examining potatoes. In addition, the potato industry is investing in scientific research covering a range of potato nutrition subjects, with special emphasis on research that will ultimately help to strengthen the scientific link between potatoes and athletic performance. Athletic performance-focused research currently underway by the Alliance of Potato Research & Education (APRE) includes the following five studies with anticipated journal publication beginning in 2020: • "Ingestion of Potatoes as a Nutritional Strategy to Improve Cycling Time-Trial Performance in Endurance Trained Cyclists" by Nicholas Burd, University of Illinois • "Anabolic Properties of Potato Derived Protein" by Luc van Loon, Maastricht University • "Effects of Potato-Based Supplemental Feedings on Glycogen Recovery and Exercise Performance" by Brent Ruby, University of Montana • "Potato-Supported Strategies to Increase Carbohydrate Oxidation, Race Economy and Performance during Endurance Exercise" by Louise Burke, Australian Institute of Sport • "The Effects of Potato Protein on Rates of Myofibrillar Muscle Protein Synthesis in Young Women" by Stuart Phillips, McMaster University Unfortunately, there are still some scientists out there who do not understand the nutritional benefits of potatoes. A New York Times article gained a lot of attention with the headline "You Don't Want Fries With That." In the article, Eric Rimm from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health referred to potatoes as "starch bombs" and recommended that people cut down consumption, including suggesting that just six french fries should be considered a serving. Rimm's recommendation came on the heels of a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that concluded that the frequent consumption of fried potatoes appears to be associated with increased mortality. However, the study suffered from a number of methodological weaknesses that impacted its validity. The potato industry responded to the journal with a letter to the editor. This misguided anti-potato rhetoric has crept into other, broader discussions of planetary and human health. The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health, a group of 30 scientists from across the globe, announced recommendations in January 2019 for a "universal healthy reference diet" that 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. The Commission also excluded potatoes from the "vegetable" category altogether, when in fact, potatoes are a vegetable as defined by both the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the graphic representation of the guidelines. Fortunately, positive potato nutrition headlines and recipe ideas 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, stories have been published on several top print and online outlets in just the past few months. Despite the usual troubles, potatoes are getting lots of positive mainstream attention.

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