Potatoes the root vegetable is one of the staple food in many households. Usually potatoes are said to be starch and fat. But there are some nutritional benefits of potatoes with it’s tasty fact.
Here are 7 health and nutrition benefits of potatoes.
1. Reducing Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory, potatoes soothe stomach and duodenum ulcers and reduce stomach acidity. They may also relieve the inflammation associated with arthritis. Add potatoes to your diet, but, remember that eating anything in excess is harmful. Moderation is the key!
2. Packed With Nutrients
Potatoes are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. The nutritional content of potatoes can vary depending on the variety and how they are prepared. For example, frying potatoes adds more calories and fat than baking them.
It’s also important to note the skin of the potatoes contains a great amount of the vitamins and minerals. Peeling potatoes can significantly reduce their nutritional content.
3. Regulates Blood Pressure
Yes, potatoes can help ensure healthy BP. Now that doesn’t mean you start noshing into greasy French fries, chips and all the processed junk. The consequences of munching into the junk will take its toll on your heart, but that doesn’t mean you need to eliminate potatoes from your diet right away. If prepared well potatoes can help regulate blood pressure. Potatoes have about 100 calories, but its highly nutritious and it is only the way we cook potatoes that have given it a bad rep. It is great for people with high blood pressure and water retention coz it balances high sodium levels. Potatoes are also rich in chlorogenic acid and anthocyanins, chemicals that help lower blood pressure.
4. Contain Antioxidants
Potatoes are rich in compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids. These compounds act as antioxidants in the body by neutralizing potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they can increase the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Studies have found that colored potatoes like purple potatoes can have three to four times more antioxidants than white potatoes. This makes them potentially more effective at neutralizing free radicals. However, most of this evidence is from test-tube studies. More human-based research is necessary before making any health recommendations.
5. Heart-Healing Properties
Potatoes have no cholesterol. It is only the oil and cholesterol laden ingredients it is cooked with that makes it a threat to the heart. Potatoes, in fact, could do wonders for your heart with its heart healing antioxidant anthocyanins. They also contain fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and B6 – all of which are great for heart health.
6. Improve Brain Health
The alpha lipoic acid, a co enzyme present in the potatoes can help boost overall cognitive health. Experts have linked this acid to have beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s patients as well. A number of vitamins and minerals present in potatoes positively affect the function of the brain (including zinc, phosphorus, and B complex). Vitamin B6 is particularly critical to maintaining neurological health.
7. Improve Digestive Health
The resistant starch in potatoes may also improve digestive health. When resistant starch reaches the large intestine, it becomes food for beneficial gut bacteria. These bacteria digest it and turn it into short-chain fatty acids.
Resistant starch from potatoes is mostly converted into the short-chain fatty acid butyrate — the preferred food source for gut bacteria. The butyrate may aid patients with inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis.
