Main Facts Mashed potatoes have long reigned supreme as the ultimate comfort food. Creamy, buttery, and deeply savory, they are a fixture of holiday tables, Sunday roasts, and casual weeknight dinners alike. However, despite their widespread culinary appeal, traditional mashed potatoes suffer from a significant nutritional limitation: they are notoriously…
By Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM Published: August 13, 2026 Main Facts: Measuring the Immeasurable Human beings are notoriously poor at evaluating statistical probability. When confronted with medical statistics—such as a surgeon informing a patient that an upcoming operation carries a “half-percent chance of mortality”—patients frequently retreat to cognitive defense mechanisms.…
