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Potatoes can be healthy, but cooking holds the key: Kuwaiti researcher

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19 hours ago

August 13, 2025

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KUWAIT: A landmark scientific study by researchers from Harvard University, Cambridge University, and other leading institutions worldwide—featuring Kuwaiti researcher Dr Hala Al-Eissa with support from the Kuwait Heart Association—has revealed that the way potatoes are cooked, rather than the potatoes themselves, is the key factor influencing their link to type 2 diabetes.

Earlier research hinted at a possible association between potato consumption and diabetes risk but often lacked details on cooking methods or the impact of replacing potatoes with other foods. This new study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), analyzed decades of dietary data, distinguishing between preparation styles and substitution choices.

The findings show that eating French fries three times a week is linked to a 20 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to consuming them less than once a week. In contrast, boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes showed no significant risk increase. Researchers explained that the difference lies in preparation: baking, boiling, or cooking with the skin on are healthier methods, preserving nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. French fries, however, are typically cooked at high temperatures in unhealthy oils and salted heavily, creating harmful compounds.

Notably, replacing three weekly servings of French fries with whole grains—such as whole wheat, oats, brown rice, or quinoa—cut the risk of diabetes by up to 19 percent. Substituting all potatoes, including non-fried varieties, with whole grains reduced the risk by 4 percent. “Our results confirm that potatoes can be part of a healthy diet if prepared properly,” said Dr Al-Eissa, Assistant Professor at Kuwait University’s School of Public Health and researcher at Harvard’s Department of Nutrition. “French fries, however, remain a choice that should be limited as much as possible.”

Professor Walter Willett, who supervised the study, stressed that dietary guidelines should move beyond broad food categories. “Not all carbohydrates—and not even all potatoes—are equal,” he said. “Preparation and substitution matter greatly when shaping public health policies.”

The research analyzed data from more than 205,000 participants over nearly 40 years, making it one of the most comprehensive investigations into potatoes and diabetes risk. It was funded by respected bodies including the US National Institutes of Health, the British Medical Council, and, for the first time, the Kuwait Heart Association. Researchers believe that the Kuwait Heart Association’s partnership with global institutions like Harvard will pave the way for further collaborations, advancing nutrition-focused research and tackling chronic diseases in Kuwait.

Related Topics:Cooking Healthy holds key Kuwaiti Potatoes Researcher

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Asians arrested on trafficking charges with residence permits

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13 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

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KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directory of Residency announced on Wednesday the arrest of an individual on charges of residency trafficking, along with several others who had paid sums of money to issue residency permits in violation of the law.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the details of the incident stemmed from information received about an Asian national registered on a company’s residency permit and working as a representative for several other companies, trafficking in residency permits.

They added that after conducting investigations, it was revealed that the aforementioned person works as a representative for 19 companies, managing nine of them under agency contracts. The total number of workers registered with these companies is 150.

The Ministry explained that the investigations resulted in the arrest of individuals involved in paying sums of money to issue residency permits in violation of the law. They were summoned and interrogated and admitted to knowing that these transactions were illegal, as paying the aforementioned sums of money ranging between KD 350 and KD 900 to renew or transfer residency permits.

They confirmed that they did not work for any of his affiliated companies, adding that when confronted with the confessions, the main suspect acknowledged their validity and admitted to embezzling the funds.

He explained that he completed the transactions himself using the passwords of the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without any intervention from the company owned, as all involved parties have been referred to the competent authorities for necessary legal action.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that it will continue its investigations, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, to inspect companies to uncover residency trafficking cases and apprehend those involved. The ministry will not be lenient in enforcing the law and will take all deterrent measures against anyone proven to be involved in such cases. — KUNA

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ROPME concludes summer educational program

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1 hour ago

August 14, 2025

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KUWAIT: The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), in cooperation with 10 participating entities, concluded on Thursday its summer camp Al-Ra’ed Al-Azraq (Blue Pioneer). ROPME Executive Secretary Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmad told KUNA the program is part of the organization’s marine environment strategy, which includes education and outreach to civil society and the education sector.

He emphasized the importance of teaching concepts related to marine conservation and sustainability, describing it as a core pillar for preserving life below water. According to Al-Ahmad, the educational approach covers both formal education – integrated into school curricula in cooperation with education ministries in GCC states, Iraq, and Iran – and non-formal education, such as exhibitions, camps, and field programs.

He noted that the summer camp is a key non-formal activity designed to expand marine environmental awareness and added that this year’s edition was developed in collaboration with member states, with the aim of rolling it out to all members next year.ROPME’s mandate covers the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and parts of the Arabian Sea – an area of about 500,000 square kilometers – with the participation of GCC countries, Iraq, and Iran. — KUNA

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Kuwait’s third relief plane departs to Gaza

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3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

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KUWAIT: The third Kuwaiti planeload departed Thursday from Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base, carrying 10 tons of food supplies to Gaza as part of the ongoing second Kuwaiti air bridge.

Chairperson of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Khaled Al-Maghames told KUNA the shipment is part of Kuwait’s urgent national relief campaign and reflects the country’s continued humanitarian commitment. This was prepared in cooperation with local charities and Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Company to ensure quality and swift delivery, said Al-Maghames, noting ongoing coordination with Kuwait’s embassy in Jordan, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and the Palestinian Red Crescent for distribution inside Gaza.

He also confirmed further aid flights are being arranged in cooperation with Kuwait’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Al-Maghames thanked all government bodies involved for their efforts in facilitating and delivering the aid, and affirmed KRCS’s continued global humanitarian efforts. — KUNA