Many people avoid potatoes because they believe that they contribute to weight gain. The truth is that yes, potatoes can make a person obese, but only if eaten in excessive amounts, which goes for any other food there is. Besides, potatoes have many health benefits and they should not be avoided.
Potato is a starchy, fibrous edible crop. Along with corn, wheat and rice it is the fourth largest food crop worldwide. It is can be stored for a long time, it is resistant, affordable, and it can be prepared in thousands of ways, boiled, baked, fried or grilled.
Nutrients in potatoes
Potatoes contain several compounds that are very good for human health, including carotenoids, flavonoids and caffeic acid, as well as patatin, a protein that has antioxidant properties.
The main nutrients in potatoes include vitamin C, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, potassium, magnesium, and copper.
Potatoes also contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, which is important for good gastrointestinal health.
Health benefits of potatoes
Exactly how beneficial potatoes are depends on how they are prepared. French fries are delicious but they are deep-fried in oil, which is not very healthy, it increases the cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Regular intake of deep-fried foods also leads to obesity. There are healthier ways to prepare potatoes, like boiling them or baking them without fat. That way they offer all their beneficial properties and cause no harm for the health or for the figure.
Skin can greatly benefit from potato consumption, especially from potato juice. This juice is not very tasty but it can be used as a tonic that expels toxins from the body. People are exposed to toxins a lot, from food and water and from air pollution as well. Once they enter the body, toxins are hard to expel, but potatoes can help with that. One glass of potato juice a day will invigorate the body, refresh and purify it. This is good for skin too, because acne and other skin ailments are actually result of toxins present in the body.
Potatoes are very good for the heart as well. They contain vitamin B6, which participates in a chemical process called methylation. This process is important for cardiovascular health because it converts harmful homocysteine into more benign substances.
Another nutrient found in potatoes which is very important for a healthy heart is potassium. This mineral stimulates nerve response to stimulation and muscle contraction, including heart muscle. Potassium also helps keep water in the body in balance.
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