Common potatoes have drawn criticism. This once-common dinner, which was a mainstay of many people’s diets, turns out to be unhealthy. Like any food or nutritional component, carbohydrates can be detrimental if consumed in excess. According to studies, consuming too many potato-based items can raise blood pressure. Generally speaking, eating and cooking potatoes has negative impacts (e.g. frying them). Several vitamins and minerals that are good for your health can be found in abundance in potatoes. Here are six benefits of eating potatoes.
- Calcium
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit are frequently linked to vitamin C. The majority of the 20th century’s diet’s primary source of vitamin C was the potato. Typically, 15% of a 150g small potato is produced. Due to its antioxidant properties and role in immune support, vitamin C is essential. In addition, it significantly aids in the development of connective tissue. This ensures that our joints can move without restriction and that our teeth will stay in their normal positions. The effect of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) is tooth loss.
- B6 Vitamin
The body needs vitamin B6, a little molecule referred to as an important co-factor. More than 100 enzymes can break down protein with the aid of vitamin B6, which is necessary for appropriate neuron function. For this reason, B6 has purportedly been connected to emotional health. Less than 25% of the daily required B6 consumption is typically provided by a small potato.
- Choline
A tiny molecule called chlorine bonds to fat to create phospholipids. Cell walls are constructed using phospholipids. The second-highest source of choline is potatoes. They are located near foods high in protein like meat and soybeans. Choline is essential for the health of the brain, nerves, and muscles. It’s conceivable that some persons have higher choline production needs than others. 10% of the daily required choline intake can be found in a jacket potato. Because the developing infant creates so many new cells, choline is crucial for pregnant women.
- Potassium
Cells contain potassium, which is essential for controlling electrical communication in nerves, muscles, and joints. Our hearts can stop beating due to hypercalcemia or low potassium levels. Baked or deep-fried potatoes have more potassium than boiling and mashed varieties. A peeled potato has around one-third of the daily required amount. This is due to the possibility that approximately 50% of the potassium in chopped potatoes will leak into boiling water. There might be a limit to how many potatoes someone with renal illness can consume. When baking or frying potatoes, exercise caution.
- Natural Lack Of Gluten
Potatoes can be eaten without having gluten, therefore anyone with celiac disease or who needs to avoid gluten should consider this. Sweet potatoes, which have a lower overall glycemic index and don’t significantly raise blood sugar levels, produce similar outcomes. Despite having more beta-carotene than ordinary potatoes, sweet potatoes contain somewhat fewer calories and carbohydrates (a type of vitamin A).
- Beneficial To Our Stomachs
Before consuming, potatoes should be cooled to stop resistant starch from developing. This helpful starch benefits our bodies in several ways, including as a prebiotic (which is essential for a healthy microbiome). Light and heat starches are used to make starches cool and collapse. They are turned into chemicals that resemble vinegar by the bacteria in our colon, even though they are more difficult to digest. They are referred to as “short-chain fatty acids.”
These fatty oils support the health of our stomach by nourishing it. Short-chain fatty acids can also improve our metabolism by lowering blood sugar and fat levels. Boiling potatoes results in a low-calorie, nutrient-dense, and filling diet because of their high water content and low-fat content.
