24 Proven Health Benefits of Potato are diverse and very important for health. Besides that, you see them in your curries, you see them in your stews, street-side chaat, homemade pulavs and biryani, you see them everywhere. Potatoes are an indispensable part of Indian cooking and we aren’t complaining! It’s ability to blend into any preparation and shine as one the star ingredients is what makes it a favourite in kitchens both home and abroad.
The many health and skin benefits of Potatoes make the vegetable all the more special. Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, Potassium, fibre, B vitamins copper, tryptophan, manganese and even lutein, notes the book ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing. It also works wonders for curbing inflammation in the body and boost immunity and healthy blood circulation.
If potatoes make it onto your plate more often than sweet Potatoes, Carrots, broccoli or any other vegetable, you’re in the majority. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the average American consumes nearly 40 pounds of fresh potatoes each year, or about double the amount of sweet potatoes, Carrots and broccoli combined. Aside from being plentiful and relatively inexpensive, Potatoes are one of the most nutritious comfort foods available – especially if you eat the skin, too. Then check out the 24 Proven Health Benefits of Potato:
Benefits of the Potato to Detoxify the Liver and Gallbladder: Potato juice is one of the most inexpensive ways to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. The Japanese use this juice to treat hepatitis. You can test its detoxifying effects by drinking a glass of Potato juice every day as soon as you wake up or 30 minutes before breakfast.
Benefits of Potato to Fight Scurvy: First things first – what is scurvy? It’s a disease caused by a vitamin-C deficiency, and it’s characterized by swollen, bleeding gums and the reopening of previously healed wounds. Until the end of the 18th century, this disease was very common in poorly nourished sailors. Due to Potatoes’ rich content of vitamin C, they can help in preventing this disease.
The Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry published a study in 2007, which suggested that Andean Potato cultivars should be exploited — for the development of Potato varieties with enhanced health and nutritional benefits. As a result, scurvy will be a thing of the past. Despite scurvy’s elimination from most countries with ready access to vitamin C, it remains present in certain parts of the world. Therefore, the increased, prolific presence of Potatoes around the world helps treat this problem.
Benefits of the Potato for the Proper Functioning of the Brain: Proper functioning of the brain depends largely on the glucose level, oxygen supply, various components of the vitamin-B complex and certain hormones, amino acids and fatty acids like omega-3. Potatoes cater to almost all the needs mentioned above. They are high in carbohydrates, and thereby maintain good levels of glucose in the blood.
This prevents the brain from letting fatigue creep in and it keeps your cognitive activity and performance high. Next, the brain needs oxygen, which is carried by the hemoglobin in the blood; its main constituent is iron. Potatoes contain iron as well. Therefore, they help to deliver oxygen to the brain as well.
There are a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in Potatoes that positively affect the function of the brain, including phosphorus, zinc, and the B complex vitamins. The vasodilating properties of potassium have also been connected to stimulation of brain function due to increased blood flow to that essential organ.
Benefits of Potato to Fight Cancer: Studies have revealed that eating potatoes won’t cause cancer, unless you eat them fried. So, if you have been under the impression that potatoes might cause cancer, well, you can relax. Boiling, mashing, or even baking Potatoes could make them far more beneficial. Frying potatoes can lead to the synthesis of a chemical called acrylamide, which causes cancer.
In addition to not causing cancer, potatoes can even cut cancer risk – as per a study. And this can be attributed to the vitamin C content in Potatoes. Taking 50 mg of vitamin C (the equivalent of two potatoes) can cut stomach cancer risk by 8 percent. Baked purple Potatoes were also found to cut colon cancer risk. Researchers had observed that extracts of baked potatoes hinder the spread of colon cancer stem cells – and even totally destroyed them in some cases.
Benefits of the Potato to Moisturize the Skin: Potato juice contains high amounts of vitamin C, which is very beneficial for hydrating your skin. For deeper hydration, mix Potato juice with yogurt and apply it on the skin. Rinse after 15 minutes, and you will notice your skin has turned brighter, tighter, and moisturized.
Benefits of the Potato Because it is Rich in Potassium: Potassium is the predominant mineral in potatoes. It’s concentrated in the Potato skin.The intake of potassium may have numerous benefits on human health. According to a 2014 research conducted by Current Opinion in Lipidology, an increase in potassium intake decreases blood pressure, the incidence of hypertension, and mortality from cardiovascular disease
Benefits of Potato to Promote Weight Gain: Potatoes are primarily made of carbohydrates and contain very little protein. This makes them an ideal diet for lean and thin people who desperately want to put on weight. The vitamin content includes vitamin C and B-complex, which also help in proper absorption of carbohydrates. That is one of the reasons that potatoes make up a large part of the diet of sumo wrestlers, as well as many other athletes who need large energy reserves in order to compete!
Benefits of Potato to end Kidney Stones: According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating potatoes (given they are rich in fiber) can improve overall health and prevent the recurrence of kidney stones. And since Potatoes are also rich in magnesium (and low in calcium, the excess of which can also lead to kidney stones), they can play a role in preventing kidney stones
Benefits of Potato to Treat Drop: Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by inflammation and swelling in the joints due to the deposition of excess uric acid. Potato juice has anti-inflammatory properties, and it neutralizes and reduces excess uric acid from the joints. This makes Potato juice one of the best natural treatments for gout and pain associated with arthritis.
Benefits of the Potato to Improve Digestion: Since Potatoes predominantly contain carbohydrates, they easily facilitate digestion. The American Society for Clinical Nutrition conducted a study in 1994, which suggests that the in vitro rate of starch digestion is a key determinant of metabolic responses in most products. This property adds to their nutritional value, especially when ingested by infants (who cannot digest hard food but need energy).
However, overeating Potatoes on a regular basis may cause acidity over time. Potatoes are also high in fiber, especially when they’re raw and cold. This trait stimulates peristaltic motion and increased secretion of gastric juices, which boosts digestion, promotes regularity for a healthy digestive tract, and protects the body from various conditions (including colorectal cancer).
Benefits of the Potato to Strengthen the Immune System: Potatoes contain a significant amount of vitamin C – the nutrient that fights cold and infection and helps to strengthen the immune system. Drinking a glass of Potato juice regularly wards off diseases and improves your immunity.
Benefits of Potato to Treat Rheumatism: There are two parts to the effect of potatoes on this condition. Vitamins like calcium and magnesium help to provide relief from rheumatism. Also, water obtained from boiling Potatoes can relieve the pain and inflammation of rheumatism. However, due to high starch and carbohydrate content, they tend to increase body weight which may have adverse effects on rheumatic people.
Benefits of the Potato to Lower Blood Pressure: Research has revealed that the skin of Potatoes is rich in potassium – a mineral that can help lower blood pressure. An average-sized baked Potato has about 535 mg of potassium (and just 17.3 mg of sodium), which is roughly about 15 percent of the daily recommended amount. High levels of potassium in the blood can make the kidneys excrete more salt and water – and this helps reduce blood pressure.
In fact, taking potassium is just like taking a diuretic. Potassium was also found to help the heart function optimally and help the nerves and muscles communicate. Another study states that eating a portion of Potato twice a day can help lower blood pressure. Baked and boiled Potatoes are also acceptable. Research also has shown that potatoes contain certain plant chemicals similar to those found in blood pressure medication. But it is important to note that all of this depends on the way Potatoes are prepared.
The healthiest way to eat Potatoes is to first cook them in a microwave oven with no oil, fat, etc. Also, deep frying is a no-no as the process subjects the vegetable to high temperatures that destroy the nutrients present in it. However, we want you to consult your doctor before you make this vegetable a regular part of your diet (if you have issues with hypertension, that is). Because one study states that the effect of potatoes on hypertension is unclear – they could be high in potassium, but they are also high in glycemic carbohydrates.
Benefits of Potato to Treat Migraine: It is said that raw Potatoes and their juice have been used in European traditional medicine for centuries. A slice of Potato or potato juice is rubbed on the forehead and temples to relieve pain, stress, and even migraines. There is no scientific research done yet to back up this claim, but positive results have been recorded from people all over the world.
Benefits of Potato to Reduce Inflammation: The large amount of carbohydrates in Potatoes help fuel the reactions in the body required for different processes, one of them being digestion. And coming to fiber – one singled baked Potato offers you 12 percent of the RDA. Fiber supports digestion and promotes regularity. Most of the fiber in potatoes is found in the skin. And the starch in the Potato also adds bulk to the stool – as it is indigestible.
Potatoes can also keep diarrhea away. Consuming calories and carbohydrates during diarrhea can help revive the energy levels pretty quick. This can accelerate recovery. Potatoes are also rich in potassium, a mineral one loses to a large extent during diarrhea. And as potatoes are bland, they are far less likely to aggravate your symptoms as compared to fatty or spicy foods. But by potatoes, we only mean baked or boiled or mashed variants, and not Potato chips or fries – they only make things worse. And guess what – one bag of Potato chips contains about 120 grams of carbs.
Benefits of the Potato by Containing hill: Technically a “vitamin-like factor,” choline is an important, versatile nutrient found in Potatoes. The body can produce small amounts of choline, but you should also get some of it from your diet. Choline is an essential part of all body tissues. It helps with sleep, learning, memory, and muscle movement. Moreover, it helps in the transmission of nerve impulses, reduces chronic inflammation, and assists in the absorption of fat.
Benefits of Potato to Treat Ulcers: Scientists at Manchester University discovered that potatoes contain unique antibacterial molecules that cure ulcers and heartburn. Drinking a glass of Potato juice daily works as a preventive measure to stop the development of stomach ulcers. It also works as an antibacterial probiotic drink.
Benefits of Potato to end Diarrhea: Potatoes are an excellent component of an energy-rich diet for those suffering from diarrhea since they are easy to digest and contain mild roughage. However, eating too many potatoes can cause diarrhea due to the excessive ingestion of starch.
Benefits of Potato to Treat Sunburn: The vegetable works well to treat sunburns. Just place cold Potato slices on the affected areas of your skin. Leave them on for about 20 minutes and remove. You can also dab Potato juice on the spot. Doing so gives you a cooling sensation and even diminishes your suntan.
Benefits of Potato to Combat Constipation: Potatoes contain a significant amount of fiber, a non-nutrient that is extremely useful for treating constipation and cleansing our digestive system. Having a glass of Potato juice with the pulp helps in cleaning the GI tract and curing constipation.
Benefits of the Potato to Cure Arthritis: Potato juice has wonderful anti-inflammatory effects that help to relieve most kinds of pain associated with swelling, inflammation, or redness. Drinking Potato juice was believed to cure arthritis and other joint and back pains associated with arthritis. Traditional remedies also included applying compressed potatoes to the joints directly or taping a sliced Potato to the joint to eliminate the soreness and pain.
Potato Benefits to Increase Collagen Production: We already saw that Potatoes are rich in vitamin C. And vitamin C builds collagen. Having potatoes regularly (in a healthy way, of course) can help improve collagen health.
Potato Benefits to Treat Sciatica: Sciatica is characterized by excruciating pain originating in the lower back region and radiating down to the legs. Home remedies work very well to treat sciatica, and Potato juice is said to be one the most effective remedies. Potato juice decreases nerve irritation and helps in the movement of the legs. Drink half a cup of raw Potato juice at least twice a day to relieve pain.
Potato Benefits to Lower Cholesterol: Potatoes contain essential nutrients like fiber and vitamins A, B-complex, and C. These nutrients help lower the cholesterol levels in the body. Drinking a glass of Potato juice without straining out its pulp can be highly beneficial for your overall health and cholesterol levels.