Potatoes 6 Tremendous Health Benefits & 5 Surprizing Side Effects

Eat potato and keep healthy.

Potatoes are edible tubers, available worldwide and all year long. They are relatively cheap to grow, rich in nutrients and they can make a tasty treat.

The fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals found in potato. It provides can help ward off disease and benefit human health.

As of 2014, the potato was the worlds fourth largest food crop after maize, wheat, and rice. 

Botanical Name: Solanum tuberosum 

The humble potato has fallen in popularity, due to the interest in low-carb foods. Potatoes were first domesticated in the Andes in South America up to 10,000 years ago. Spanish explorers introduced them to Europe in the early 16th century. 

There are about 5,000 potato varieties worldwide. 3000 of them are found in the Andes alone, mainly in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia.

Potatoes have rich in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 plays numerous roles in our nervous system, many of which involve neurological activity. B6 is essential for the creation of amines, a type of messaging molecule or neurotransmitter that the nervous system  Relies on to transmit messages from one nerve to the next. Some of the amine-derived neurotransmitters that require vitamin B6 for their production are serotonin, a lack of which is linked to depression; melatonin, the hormone needed for a night's sleep; epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that help us respond to stress; and GABA, which is needed for normal brain function. 

Potatoes contain iron as well. Therefore, they help deliver oxygen to the brain as well. The vasodilating properties of potassium have also been connected to the stimulation of brain function due to increased blood flow to it. This stops the brain from letting fatigue creep in and it keeps your cognitive activity and high performance.

MAIN THING: There are a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in potatoes that positively affect the function of the brain, including phosphorus, zinc and the vitamin B complex.

Potatoes have nutrients that make skin healthy and shiny. Collagen is the skin's support system. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to help stop damage caused by the sun, pollution and smoke. Vitamin C also helps collagen smooth wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.

Apart from that, the pulp received from crushed raw potatoes, when mixed with honey can work well in skin and face packs. This even helps cure pimples and spots on the skin. Again, this pulp, if impose externally on burns provides quick relief and faster healing. Smashed potatoes and even water in which they have been washed are very good for softening and cleaning dark skin, especially around the elbows.

MAIN THING: Potato contain Vitamin C and B-complex, as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc are best for the skin.

Dietary fibers are commonly recognized as an important factor in weight management and weight loss. 

They act as "bulking agents" in the digestive system. They increase satiety and reduce appetite, so a person feels fuller for longer and is less likely to consume more calories.

MAIN THING: Control consumption of potato help to loose your weight.

Potatoes contain Folate which plays an important role in DNA synthesis and repair, and also it prevents many types of cancer cells from forming due to mutations in the DNA.

Fiber intake from fruits and vegetables like potatoes are related to a lowered risk of colorectal cancer. 

Vitamin C and quercetin also function as antioxidants, protecting cells against damage from free radicals.

MAIN THING: Potato contain Folate and antioxidants like Vitamin C and quercetin are responsible to prevent the cancer.

The potato's fiber, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6 content, combine with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health. 

Potatoes contain significant amounts of fiber. Fiber helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease. A higher intake of potassium and a lower intake of sodium to a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and heart disease.

MAIN THING: Potatoes include in your diet helps to reduce risk of heart diseases.

Low sodium intake is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure, but increasing potassium intake may be just as important that derives from potatoes. Potassium encourages vasodilation or the widening of the blood vessels. 

Potassium, calcium and magnesium are all present in the potato. These have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.

The fiber present in potatoes is helpful in lowering cholesterol and improving the functioning of insulin in the body, which aids in the lowering of blood pressure. This is because there is a direct relationship between blood pressure and the glucose level in the blood; insulin helps regulate that glucose level.

MAIN THING: The potassium found in potatoes lowers blood pressure, since it functions as a vasodilator. 

The iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and zinc in potatoes all help the body to build and maintain bone structure and strength. 

Iron and zinc play vital roles in the production and maturation of collagen. 

Phosphorus and calcium are both important in bone structure, but it is crucial to balance the two minerals for proper bone mineralization. Too much phosphorus and too little calcium result in bone loss and contribute to osteoporosis.

MAIN THING: Balanced Minerals found in potatoes help to boost bone strength.

Solanine: Potatoes that are sprouting or have green discoloration are likely to contain solanine, a toxic compound that has been found to cause circulatory and respiratory problems, as well as headaches, muscle cramps, and diarrhea. If a firm potato has sprouted or has set up "eyes," removing all sprouts is enough. 

Diabetes and obesity: Potatoes contain high levels of simple carbohydrates. This may not be beneficial for people who have diabetes and obesity when eaten in excess. Like all foods, potatoes should be eaten in moderation and as a source of carbs, like rice or pasta, rather than as a vegetable. Legumes, on the other hand, have been shown to reduce diabetes risk.

Beta-blockers: This is a type of medication commonly prescribed for heart disease. It can cause potassium levels to increase in the blood. High-potassium foods like potatoes should be consumed in moderation when taking beta-blockers. 

Potassium: High levels of potassium in the body can affect a serious risk to those with kidney damage or kidneys that are not fully functional. Damaged kidneys may be unable to filter excess potassium from the blood, and this can be fatal. 

Unhealthiness: Potatoes may contain a number of unhealthy compounds — particularly when fried. Limit your use of french fries and chips, and never eat potato sprouts. 

Potatoes should be kept in reserve between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, in a dark, dry environment. 

Divestment to sunlight can lead to the formation of solanine, which causes potatoes to turn green. It is toxic. Storing potatoes in the refrigerator causes their starch content to be converted to sugar. This can give an unpopular flavor. 

Potatoes should not be kept around onions because both vegetables release natural gases that cause the other to decay.

Fully grown potatoes have a shelf life of up to 2 months, but spoiled potatoes can cause the other potatoes around them. Remove decayed potatoes to prevent the rest from spoiling.