You might not think this was an important question but potatoes are an important calorie source throughout the world. On the one hand, they are an inexpensive source of fiber, carbohydrates, minerals (for example potassium) and vitamins such as Vitamin C. All of these are good for you. Vitamin C is important to maintain the connective tissue that holds us together and may have a role in immunity. Potassium lowers blood pressure and is essential for muscles to work properly and nerves to transmit their messages. Fiber is key to maintaining a happy gut and we all know how important that is!
On the other hand though, the carbohydrates (starches) in potatoes are very rapidly digested and converted to the blood sugar glucose, leading to a spike in blood sugar. The body responds by pouring out insulin, also not good. Some studies have seemed to indicate that there's an association between eating more potatoes and an increased risk of high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) which is a serious risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.
So, are they good for you or bad for you?
A recently published paper in the, Journal of the American Society for Nutrition may help to answer this concern. The researchers followed 2 large groups of people in Spain. Their results were very reassuring. Potatoes when eaten as part of a healthy diet such as the famous Mediterranean Diet, did not raise the blood pressure or increase the risk of other health issues.
Taking all the data (including this report) together, the consensus seems to be that it's not the potato that's an issue, but how it's being eaten. If you pile it high with sour cream and bacon bits, or fry it in heart unhealthy oils, then the poor spud is not your friend. But eaten as part of a diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, uses healthy oils such as olive oil, and uses fish and avoids red meat, then the potato stands with the best of vegetables and fruits.
So feel free to enjoy your potatoes as long as you do it right!