Fried potatoes may increase risk of death. French fry lovers may have cause for concern: a recent study has found that eating fried potatoes two or more times weekly can double the likelihood of early death, compared with people who don’t consume fried potatoes on a regular basis. On the other hand, potatoes that are not fried during preparation seem to have no bearing on early mortality. With fried potato consumption increasing annually, scientists have been looking for the cause of this alarming link. It appears that trans fats are to blame, as this type of fat raises the bad type of cholesterol, also known as “LDL” in the blood. When LDL levels get too high, it can lead to heart disease, which explains the increased risk of death. Other factors in play include being obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and consuming too much sodium.