Potatoes:Health Benefits
Some would consider the potato the ultimate comfort food. Potatoes come in many varieties. There are over 100 types of potatoes.
These are packed with nutrients. Potatoes are low calorie, high fiber food. Potatoes are a very good source of vitamin C, a good source of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber.
It’s get a bad rap from diet-conscious consumers today.There’s more evidence that potatoes don’t get the respect they so rightly deserve.
Today’s health and nutrition experts remind us that potatoes are good for you.
1.Good Source of Fiber
Potatoes, especially the skins, are a source of dietary fiber. Fiber may help with weight management. It is also keep your digestive health in check. Fiber also acts to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.
2.Nourish Your Skin
Potatoes have traditionally used in skincare regiments. Due to their vitamin and mineral composition. It’s pulp used to protect the skin from damage. Potato has been used to cure pimples and skin inflammations and minor burns.
Traditionally, potatoes were used to treat and prevent scurvy. Potatoes contain high amounts of vitamin C. It is also help to treat gastrointestinal ailments and ulcers.
3.Nutritional Value
According to Nutrition Data, the nutritional value of the foods we eat. One large potato, baked with flesh and skin intact, and prepared without salt. It has 278 calories but 0 grams of fat.
The same potato has
- 63 carbohydrates,
- 7 grams of dietary fiber,
- 4 grams sugar,
- 4 grams protein,
- 83.7 mcg folate,
- 44.8 mcg calcium
All these nutrients to make potatoes a good choice for over health and well being.
According to Nutrition Data, are a healthy addition to your diet. Potatoes are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Potatoes are a great source of
- Vitamin C,
- Vitamin B6,
- Potassium,
- Manganese,
- Folate,
- Calcium,
Experts remind us that vegetables and fruits are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits also contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
4. Heart Healthy
Nutritional experts report that except Vitamin A, white potatoes have just about every nutrient in them. Potatoes are packed with Vitamin C. Though if you’re not careful you can lose this benefit in cooking.
The overall health benefits of eating potatoes cannot be overstated. One baked potato offers about 20 percent of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin B6.
Indeed, a potato a day is good for your heart and, even more, keeps blood pressure levels in the normal range.
5.Resistant Starch Helps Fight Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity Today
There’s some interesting research that’s been conducted in studies in Australia, among other countries including the United States. The cancer-fighting properties of potatoes.
Depending upon how the potato is cooked or prepared. The “resistant starch” found in potatoes, along with rice, pasta, beans, and green bananas. These help to reduce the cancer risk associated with the consumption of red meat.
From what the data suggests, the protective properties of the potato is particularly important in cases where cold, potato salad has been served alongside grilled, red meat.
While potatoes are high in carbohydrates compared to other vegetables. They offer significant health and nutritional value when not deep-fried or prepared with oils and butter. What are the health benefits of potatoes?
6. High in vitamin C and vitamin B6
1 cup of potatoes provides you with a part of your daily necessity of vitamin C. They’re an excellent source of vitamin B6. Vitamin C is important for the synthesis of collagen.
The main support structure found in connective tissue. Vitamin B6 is critical for maintaining healthy brain activity. Potatoes help to contribute important substances of these two important vitamins.
7.Good source of lutein
Potatoes with yellow flesh are high in an antioxidant known as lutein. It helps to prevent macular degeneration. One of the most common eye diseases seen in adults. It seems that the lutein present in potatoes remains stable even when the potato is prepared.
8. Phytochemicals
Potatoes are a good source of phenols which act as antioxidants. It may help to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Some types of potatoes, particularly those with deeper skins. It has phenol levels that are comparable to those of green, leafy vegetables.
9. Ready When You Are
Potatoes are versatile vegetables. You can prepare in so many, different ways, placing potatoes among the least boring vegetables on earth. There are between 4-5,000 varieties of potatoes grown worldwide.
Also, no matter how potatoes are prepared, mashed, baked, or roasted, potatoes are available year-round in your grocery store or farmers market.
10. Healthy Treats for Your Dinner Table
Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, among them. They are the swollen portion of the underground stem which is called a tuber and is designed to provide food for the green leafy portion of the above-ground plant. If allowed to flower and fruit, potato plants will bear an inedible fruit resembling a tomato.
11. Inflammation
Vitamin C also plays a role in decreasing cardiovascular damage. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals in the body. Free radicals directly damage blood vessels. It can cause cholesterol to build up in artery walls.
Therefore, vitamin C can help prevent the development and progression of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Vitamin C, along with the other vitamins and minerals present in potatoes actively. It help combat inflammation in the body. It may help alleviate the pain and swelling associated with arthritis.
12. Lower Blood Pressure
Many compounds found in potatoes may help lower blood pressure. The presence of potassium as well as kukoamines. It may help lower blood pressure.