Five beneficial properties of potatoes

Vegetable growing » Potatoes

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Kira Stoletova

Potatoes have not always been a regular dish on the tables of our compatriots. Initially, it was considered inedible and even poisonous. The benefits and harms of raw potatoes were not initially even considered because they were practically not used for food in many countries.

Beneficial and harmful properties of raw potatoes

Composition of tubers

The benefits of raw potatoes for humans are determined by their qualitative composition. Root vegetables are rich in vitamin C. It was this feature that was discovered during the scurvy epidemic during the period of great geographical discoveries, when people sailed on ships for years and did not have the opportunity to eat foods enriched with vitamins. Potatoes consist of 80% water and 20% dry substances, which include:

• starch;
• amino acids;
• minerals;
• glucose, sucrose and fructose;
• coarse fibers;
• fats;
• pectin.

In addition to vitamin C, potatoes also contain B vitamins and phylloquinone. B vitamins are actively involved in metabolic processes and the formation of enzymes, and increase brain activity.

Mineral complex

• potassium – participates in biosynthesis processes, has a positive effect on the functioning of the muscular system, and also regulates water balance;
• phosphorus is an essential element in the development of tooth enamel and bones;
• magnesium – helps remove cholesterol, participates in the construction of nerve cells and hematopoiesis;
• calcium - actively participates in the development of bones, teeth, and also affects blood clotting.

During heat treatment, potatoes lose most of their nutrients, so in their raw form their benefits to the body are much greater. But not everyone can eat the vegetable raw, because it is a very heavy food. Fresh is absorbed much faster.

Useful properties of potatoes

Despite the fact that recently potatoes have been considered the main food for the poor, they are not only possible, but also necessary. Young potatoes are of particular value. It contains a third of the norm of ascorbic acid, as well as other useful vitamins: vitamin A (beta-carotene); B vitamins (B1, B2, B3 or PP, B4, B5, B6, folic acid - B9); vitamin E and vitamin K. A potato tuber is 76% water, 18% is carbohydrates, including mono- and disaccharides, 2% is protein, which contains useful amino acids, the remaining 4% contains vitamins, potassium, magnesium , phosphorus, calcium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, fluorine and other minerals.

What are the benefits of baked potatoes?

High potassium

in the root vegetable helps remove water and table salt from the body, which significantly improves metabolism.

nutritionists recommend potatoes, especially baked ones Baked tubers are recommended to be eaten in case of heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis. The magnesium and calcium content in potatoes reduces blood pressure, normalizes heart rate, improves respiratory function in case of colds and chronic diseases, and regulates blood sugar levels. Sodium content plays an important role in digestion by having an alkalizing effect on the stomach. Therefore, potatoes are useful for gastritis, high acidity, gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Benefit for health

Good for bones

Eating raw potatoes is an excellent prevention of osteoporosis. Fe, P, Ca, Mg, Zn are involved in the construction of bone tissue and maintain its strength. Fe and Zn help synthesize proteins and form collagens.

The mineral elements contained in raw potatoes help maintain blood pressure at optimal levels and also reduce blood pressure. The high content of coarse fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, which is an excellent prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Raw potatoes are indicated for use in cases of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Potatoes contain a substance such as choline. It is a universal nutritional component that helps improve sleep and maintains the tone of cell membrane structures. It also plays an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses. Helps absorb and break down fats, relieves inflammation.

Fresh potato juice is often recommended for constipation. The high fiber content helps to gently solve a delicate problem and improve bowel movements. For the human body, antioxidants are the source of youth. The increased content of vitamin C with regular consumption of juice can eliminate wrinkles and improve the texture of the dermis.

For women

Potato juice is often used to treat the appendages and ovaries, and for inflammation and erosion of the cervix. The juice is used to wet tampons. It is also recommended to drink 200 ml of freshly squeezed potato juice before meals. This will help get rid of many women's problems and improve the condition of the skin.

The juice is also used to treat fibroids. By drinking 0.5 cups of fresh pink potato juice, you can avoid surgical intervention in the early stages of the disease.

Men

As a result of constant physical activity, many men develop hemorrhoids. In such cases, fresh potatoes are the most inexpensive and safe method of treatment. Naturally, juice treatment will have an effect only in the first stages of the disease.

A small candle is prepared from potatoes and left overnight, or the juice is administered using a syringe before bedtime. You can make compresses from potato pulp at any time of the day, while limiting movement.

For children

Potatoes are useful not only for adults, but also for children. In boiled form, they begin to give it to babies as complementary foods from 6 months. Root vegetables are a hypoallergenic vegetable that perfectly nourishes and saturates the baby’s body with vitamins, micro- and macroelements necessary for its development.

Also, lotions from potato juice are made for burns or cuts to disinfect the wound and speed up healing. During adolescence, children are often diagnosed with gastritis. Heartburn and high acidity can be overcome and get rid of these unpleasant symptoms for a long time by using fresh potato along with carrot.

For pregnant

Raw potatoes are very useful for women during pregnancy. It contains folic acid, which is so important for the formation of fetal systems and organs. Pregnant women often experience heartburn, which can also be easily eliminated by regularly drinking potato juice.

Potassium reduces swelling and helps effectively remove excess fluid from the body, preventing its re-accumulation. For anemia, it is recommended to take 100 g of fresh juice 2-3 times a day for a month. In case of disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to take 100 ml of fresh juice on an empty stomach every morning for a month.

Energy value

Valuable vegetable

One medium potato, weighing 80-150 g, contains:

• 160 calories;
• 0.3 g fat;
• 38 g carbohydrates;
• 4.7 g fiber;
• 4.2 g protein.

Raw potatoes contain alpha-lipoic acid. It is involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels and is a powerful antioxidant. Quercetin and flavonoids contained in the peel have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. These components protect cells from damage by free radicals.

Harm of raw potatoes

The benefits of raw potatoes for the human body are unconditional, but, like any medicinal product, it has its contraindications and can cause harm to your body. Fresh potato will cause irreparable harm in gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by a reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid. Despite all the benefits of raw potatoes, fresh potatoes can have the opposite effect if you use green or sprouted tubers.

Green potatoes are saturated with solanine, a toxic substance that can cause serious disorders in the functioning of systems and organs. When consuming fresh juice from such tubers, you may experience:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• perialgia;
• disorientation;
• dizziness;
• diarrhea;
• increase in body temperature.

Fresh potato consumption is strictly prohibited in case of gastrointestinal disorders with low acidity, in the acute period of pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, allergic reactions and individual intolerance. The vegetable is also contraindicated for obese people due to its high calorie content.

Potato damage

Despite its many beneficial properties, potatoes can also cause harm. This applies to old root vegetables that have been in the cellar for more than six months and have turned green. During long-term storage, poison - solanine -

. Therefore, it is recommended to remove a thick layer of peel from potatoes that have survived the spring and cut out all the eyes. A large concentration of solanine in the body leads to poisoning, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, diarrhea, and in severe cases, a person can even fall into a coma. Pregnant women are not recommended to eat sprouted potatoes, since solanine causes congenital heart defects in the child. In many countries, potatoes that have been stored for more than three months are destroyed.

One way to get rid of solanine

is as follows: roll the peeled potatoes in coarse salt, and then fry them in a frying pan with a lid. Salt draws out solanine very well.

How to choose potatoes

In order to get the maximum benefit from potatoes, you need to learn how to choose the right potatoes. Tubers should be smooth, with a uniform structure, without visible damage. If you buy potatoes in a store or from farmers, it is better to give preference to unwashed tubers. Washing removes the protective coating from the skin and the tubers spoil faster.

You can check the nitrate content in potato tubers by cutting them. With a normal content of nitrogenous compounds, the pulp does not darken for up to half an hour; with elevated levels, a dark crust appears in literally 2 minutes. It is important to remember that after purchase, the tubers should be stored at a temperature of 2-6℃ and a relative humidity of 70-80%. As the temperature drops, the starch in the potato begins to crystallize and converts into sugar.

Exposure of tubers to sunlight triggers the production of solanine. It is better to throw away green tubers. Do not store potatoes next to onions. The vegetable produces a gas that causes rot in the potatoes.

Final part

Raw potatoes can bring many benefits, but also cause irreparable harm to the human body if used incorrectly. Potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals. A number of useful substances help get rid of many diseases at the initial stage. The vitamin-mineral complex contained in potatoes has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Most of the nutrients are contained in the peel, so it is recommended to cook and consume it only in its skin.

At the same time, potatoes are a very high-calorie product, so they should not be consumed daily. When cooked, only young potatoes are useful. It is prohibited to consume fresh potato from sprouted or greened tubers.

How to properly eat raw potatoes

For many people, it is a revelation to know that the greatest benefits of potatoes are observed if they are consumed raw. But in this case it is important to remember a number of rules:

1. Only fresh root vegetables are suitable for consumption. It is best to give preference to new potatoes.
2. You should not eat green tubers, as they lead to severe poisoning.
3. It is prohibited to use potatoes in the diet that were grown in contaminated areas.
4. It is best to eat tubers grown between June and August.

Before eating, young potatoes simply need to be thoroughly washed to remove any dirt, and they will be ready to eat.