Many doctors must have told you that excess consumption of potatoes causes weight problems, whereas a few of them must have told you that it isn't the case. Read on to know whether they are actually healthy or not.
Solanum tuberosum or commonly known as the potato, is a starchy, fibrous crop which is edible. After rice, wheat, and corn; potatoes are the fourth largest food crop grown all over the world. They have many benefits, and comparatively fewer disadvantages.
Along with long term storage, durability, affordable prices, and less perishable timings, they are also very healthy for the human body. Throughout the world, and across all civilizations, people eat potatoes as one of their regular and most favorite food items.
They are eaten in many forms like fried, boiled, baked, and grilled to add taste to many delicious food items.
Nutritional Value and Health Benefits
Potatoes as well as sweet potatoes are stuffed with abundant vitamins and minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B, and vitamin C) which can be just as nourishing for your skin as your body.
Among these important health-promoting compounds are carotenoids, flavonoids, and caffeic acid, as well as unique tuber storage proteins, such as patatin, which exhibit activity against free radicals. Potatoes also contain a variety of phytonutrients that have activity of antioxidants.
Other nutrients include:
Vitamin C
Thiamin
Niacin
Vitamin B-6
Folate
Pantothenic acid
Iron
Magnesium
Potassium
Copper
Dietary fiber
Potato juice, though not very tasty to drink, is an excellent tonic for your health. It can help you feel better and younger. It helps your body heal and rejuvenate from all the toxins that invade it through food, drinks, and pollution. The toxins in your body can make your skin erupt with blemishes.
Skin that is too dry and does not respond to lotions or creams, is a sign that your body needs cleansing. You can drink potato juice to help your skin recover. If you don't like the flavor, just add a few teaspoons of apple juice so it's delectable.
Vitamin B6 plays another critically important role in methylation, a chemical process in which methyl groups are transferred from one molecule to another. Methylation is also important to cardiovascular health. This process changes a potentially dangerous molecule called homocysteine into other benign substances.
Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 can help keep homocysteine levels low. In addition, diets high in vitamin B6-rich foods are associated with overall lower rates of heart disease, even when homocysteine levels are normal, most likely because of all the other beneficial activities of this energetic vitamin B.
Potatoes rank highest for potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables, and the top 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits. One medium potato (5.3 ounces) with the skin contains 620 mg of potassium.
As heart disease remains America's number one killer, it is estimated that one out of every three Americans is at a high risk. One of the most powerful, yet lesser known cure for heart disease, is increasing one's potassium intake.
Potassium plays an essential role in the response of nerves to stimulation and in the contraction of muscles, including the heart muscle. It is an electrolyte that is essential for the body's growth and maintenance. It is also necessary to keep a proper balance of water inside and outside the body's cells.
Thus, with this information on health benefits and nutrition facts of potatoes, there is a good possibility, that they are good for you. You can minimize your chances of heart diseases by eating potatoes moderately and also improve your skin.