Re: Total and specific potato intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three US cohort studies and a substitution meta-analysis of prospective cohorts

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Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor Mousavi et al. Conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effect of total and specific potato intake and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) (1). Higher intake of French fries, but not combined baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes, was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2D. The authors recommended replacing potato with whole grains to reduce the risk of T2D. Their precise analyses were informative to understand dietary modifications for preventing T2D. I present my comments. Wang et al. summarized that total carbohydrates, added sugars, refined grains, and potatoes were significantly associated with higher T2D risk (2). In contrast, whole grain, vegetable, fruit, and legume signatures were inversely associated with T2D risk. I suspect that the amount of intake and the combination with other dietary materials would contribute to the level of T2D risk. Jenkins et al. presented a concept of glycemic index GI) of foods (3). Although GI is important to select appropriate foods to reduce the risk of T2D, GI contribution to the risk of incident T2D is not so large (4). Some other risk factors should be considered simultaneously to reduce the risk of T2D. Continuous surveys are needed for conducting health care of metabolic disorders including T2D. References 1. Mousavi SM, Gu X, Imamura F, et al. Total and specific potato intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three US cohort studies and a substitution meta-analysis of prospective cohorts. BMJ 2025;390:e082121. 2. Wang X, Xia P, Wang F, et al. Metabolomic signatures of dietary carbohydrates and differential association with type 2 diabetes. Nat Health 2026;1(1):145-157. 3. Jenkins DJ, Wolever TM, Taylor RH, et al. Glycemic index of foods: a physiological basis for carbohydrate exchange. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34(3):362-6. 4. Chiavaroli L, Lee D, Ahmed A, et al. Effect of low glycaemic index or load dietary patterns on glycaemic control and cardiometabolic risk factors in diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2021;374:n1651. No competing Interests: Yes The following competing Interests: Electronic Publication Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 02:53 AI use: No, I have not used AI Highwire Comment Subject: Total and specific potato intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three US cohort studies and a substitution meta-analysis of prospective cohorts Workflow State: Released Full Title: Re: Total and specific potato intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three US cohort studies and a substitution meta-analysis of prospective cohorts Highwire Comment Response to: Total and specific potato intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three US cohort studies and a substitution meta-analysis of prospective cohorts Check this box if you would like your letter to appear anonymously:: Last Name: Kawada First name and middle initial: Tomoyuki Email: [email protected] Address: 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan Occupation: Professor Emeritus Affiliation: Nippon Medical School BMJ: Additional Article Info: Rapid response