It is impossible to imagine a single holiday table without potatoes; potato dishes are a common diet for most residents of Russia. But besides the benefits, there is also harm to the body from potatoes. This is especially true for green potatoes, the consumption of which can cause severe poisoning. But it also contains a lot of useful substances necessary for the body. The main thing is to prepare dishes from this vegetable correctly so that they are healthy.
What are the benefits of potatoes?
The beneficial properties of potatoes appear only if they are boiled or baked. Or eat it raw.But few people will eat potatoes raw, but drinking fresh potato juice is very beneficial for the body.
There is a myth that apart from vitamin C, starch and potassium, potatoes do not contain any useful substances. But this is far from true.
What other microelements are contained in potatoes?
Useful properties of potatoes:
- The vegetable contains a large amount of vitamin B6.
- It has a high content of microelements such as potassium, copper, phosphorus and nicotinic acid.
- Source of dietary fiber.
- It is an antioxidant for the body because it contains a phytonutrient that removes harmful compounds.
- The proteins contained in the vegetable help eliminate free radicals.
- Tubers contain a large amount of fiber, which prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements.
- Due to the high content of vitamin C, when potatoes are regularly consumed, collagen is produced in the body. It affects the beauty and elasticity of the skin, prevents premature aging.
- It also contains folic acid, which prevents the development of cancerous tumors and mutations in DNA.
The benefits and harms of potatoes for the body depend only on the area in which the vegetable grew and how it was prepared. But it is impossible to overestimate the beneficial properties for humans when consuming this vegetable.
What does the composition depend on?
The benefits and harms of potatoes depend on its chemical composition. Like any other plant, the composition of potatoes depends on where they grow. The plant does not have an excretory system, so all substances that are toxic and dangerous to humans accumulate and remain in the leaves, roots or tubers.
Eating potatoes grown in an unfavorable ecological area will be very harmful to humans.Such tubers cannot be eaten as food, otherwise you can get severe poisoning. The vegetable can be grown in ecologically clean areas far from populated areas and roadways.
Also, the composition of the vegetable depends on the variety. Useful substances in different varieties are contained in different quantities. But if the tubers are exposed to sunlight for a long time, then solanine and chlorophyll begin to form in them in large quantities. These substances are very dangerous for humans and can even lead to death if they enter the body.
Depending on how potatoes were originally prepared, they can be either harmful or healthy food for humans. For example, jacket potatoes are very healthy and contain a large amount of nutrients. Especially if you eat it with the peel. But fried potatoes will not bring any benefit to humans. On the contrary, such a dish contains a large amount of calories, cholesterol and fat. These potatoes are very harmful.
Are potatoes good for your diet?
Are potatoes good for you on a diet? This question interests many people who want to lose a few extra pounds. Steamed or oven-cooked potatoes will not harm those who are watching their figure. But you should give up fried potatoes. It contains a large amount of fats and carbohydrates, which lead to weight gain.
The benefits and harms to human health on a potato diet depend on how much and at what time of day it is eaten. In the evening, it is better to refrain from dishes prepared with potatoes. It is advisable to eat them in the morning or at lunch.
What are the benefits of potatoes for the human body?
The benefits and harms of potatoes for the body lie in the correct preparation.This has already been said earlier.
Drinking potato juice is especially beneficial. You can drink it for constipation, nausea, heartburn and dyspepsia. It will also help cope with migraines. It is recommended to drink it for people suffering from stomach ulcers and gastritis. Within 2 weeks before meals you need to drink half a glass of potato juice. This is especially important to do in the fall, when all chronic diseases worsen.
Choline contained in the composition has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It helps reduce chronic inflammation, normalizes sleep, has a beneficial effect on muscle tone and maintains the structure of cell membranes. Choline also absorbs excess fats and helps in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Eating potatoes is beneficial for people who suffer from high blood pressure. Due to the high content of potassium, calcium and magnesium, blood vessels dilate.
Potatoes also have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart. Tubers contain a large amount of fiber, which removes cholesterol from the blood.
Beneficial features:
- Helps the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
- Removes toxic compounds from the body.
- Normalizes metabolic processes.
- Helps improve liver function.
- Thanks to potassium, eating potato dishes removes excess water.
Also, regular consumption of potato dishes helps strengthen blood vessels.
Potatoes also help with stress and depression. If you include boiled or stewed potatoes in your diet, you can increase your performance and resistance to stress.
Potatoes will also help in the treatment of radiculitis. To do this you need to boil pink potatoes, knead it and add a small amount of iodine.You need to make compresses from the resulting puree. Place the puree on a cloth, apply it to the diseased area of the body and wrap it in cellophane. Leave overnight.
Potatoes are a valuable product that is rich in microelements beneficial to the human body, but they should not be abused. Otherwise, it may negatively affect your health. This is especially true for fried potatoes and french fries, which contain a lot of unhealthy fats.
Harm and contraindications
Potatoes have both benefits and harms. First of all, the plant contains corned beef, a toxic substance. In green fruits, its amount significantly exceeds the norm. This substance can adversely affect the respiratory system and heart, blood vessels, cause migraines and muscle spasms, and provoke diarrhea.
Scientific experiments have proven that when a vegetable is cooked at temperatures exceeding 125 degrees, the toxin acrylamide is formed in it. It has also been found in plastics, dyes, glues and cigarette smoke. This substance can cause significant harm to human health. Scientists have found that it promotes the development of certain forms of cancer.
Acrylamide has neurotoxic effects and also negatively affects the reproductive system and genes. This substance is found in large quantities in chips, French fries and fried potatoes, so it is better to avoid consuming these foods to maintain your health.
People who take medications from the beta blocker group should not forget about the dangers of potatoes. Most often they are prescribed for cardiovascular diseases.Such drugs cause an increase in potassium levels in the blood, and if you eat food rich in potassium, this can lead to negative consequences.
An increased potassium content can also negatively affect people who suffer from liver and kidney diseases. The kidneys cannot remove excess potassium from the body, which, in turn, can lead to serious complications, including death.
What other beneficial properties of potatoes?
What other beneficial properties are there for humans? Potato juice will help get rid of eczema and dermatitis. Potato juice also whitens the skin of the face.
This vegetable also plays an important role in cosmetology. Masks from new potatoes promote rejuvenation, eliminate wrinkles and even out facial skin. And if you add a small amount of milk to the mask, it will moisturize the skin.
