Surprising Health Benefits Of Potatoes

#1

Potato is probably the most loved vegetable. It goes very well with every other vegetable and is found in almost every kitchen across the globe. It is one of the most consumed crops in the world. Whether it is in the form of a curry, dry vegetable, fried or mashed, we love it. Although, potatoes were earlier used mainly in curries, it has become popular finger food and is considered as a comfort food. Potatoes, contrary to the belief, are not fattening. It leads to weight gain depending on the way it is prepared.

You can make potatoes without butter or cream to reduce the number of calories. Potatoes are not just delicious it has many health benefits. Here is a list of some of the health benefits of eating potatoes.

#2 Prevents Cough And Cold:

Suffering from a cough and cold is a basic problem. It is an infection which can affect anyone, however, sweet potato act as a medicine to cure this problem. Being a great source of Vitamin C and rich in Beta-Carotene, sweet potatoes strengthen the immune system preventing cough and cold.

#3 Boost antioxidants

Followers of low-carb diets give regular potatoes a bad rap. They are not exactly good for you when dropped into a deep fryer, but potatoes are packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants-compounds that fight free radicals.

The ORAC value (a measure of the total antioxidants in 100 grams) for a medium baked potato with skin is a healthy 1,680, while that of a baked sweet potato with skin is 766.

#4 Vitamin B6—Building Your Cells

If only for its high concentration of vitamin B6—1 medium potato contains over one-half of a milligram of this important nutrient—the potato earns high marks as a health-promoting food.

Vitamin B6 is involved in more than 100 enzymatic reactions. Enzymes are proteins that help chemical reactions take place, so vitamin B6 is active virtually everywhere in the body. Many of the building blocks of protein, amino acids, require B6 for their synthesis, as do the nucleic acids used in the creation of our DNA. Because amino and nucleic acids are such critical parts of new cell formation, vitamin B6 is essential for the formation of virtually all new cells in the body. Heme (the protein center of our red blood cells) and phospholipids (cell membrane components that enable messaging between cells) also depend on vitamin B6 for their creation.

#5 Helpful in reducing skin dryness

Potato Juice is also beneficial in reducing extreme dryness of the skin in cases when the skin doesn’t react to outer treatment. To get rid of skin dryness and to protect the skin from toxins, drink a glass of Juice daily.

Persons who have used Potato Juice internally and suffered from skin problems such as eczema, the results attained proved a considerable amelioration of the health of the skin.

#6 A source of potassium.

Potassium is one of the important electrolytes that help regulate heartbeat and nerve signals. Like the other electrolytes, potassium performs many essential functions, some of which include relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, and protecting and controlling the activity of the kidneys.

#7 Easy to Digest

Since potatoes predominantly contain carbohydrates, they are easy to digest and facilitate digestion. This property makes them a good diet for babies or for those who cannot digest hard food, but need energy. However, remember that eating too many potatoes on a regular basis may cause acidity over time.

Potatoes also contain a considerable amount of fiber or roughage, more in raw potato and cold ones than boiled or hot ones. This stimulates peristaltic motion and increased secretion of gastric juices, which eases digestion and prevents conditions like constipation and protects the body from more serious conditions like colorectal cancer. Fiber is also connected with scraping cholesterol out of the arteries and blood vessels, thereby increasing heart health.

#8 Good source of vitamin D, which helps build healthy bones.

Vitamin D is critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year. Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is primarily made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

#9 Removes Dark Circles

Potatoes are a natural under eye brightener and so, applying potato juice or potatoes directly on the affected area can banish dark eye rings.

1.Peel and slice a raw potato into large pieces.

2.Placing them in a cloth or handkerchief, stick them on your eyes for 15-20 minutes.

3.Wash off with warm water.

4.Doing this regularly will reduce your dark circles considerably.

5.You can also apply potato juice under your eyes with a cotton ball to fade away dark circles.

#10 Promotes Weight Gain

Eating potatoes on a regular and moderate basis has been found to be very beneficial for the underweight individuals who would like to gain some weight.

It is an ideal diet for the extremely lean people, as it will help them not only in gaining some extra pounds but is also a good source of nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

This weight-gain benefit of potato is mainly because of the abundance of carbohydrates in them. Eating 100 grams of potatoes provide around 17 grams of carbohydrates which roughly translates into 77 kcal of energy.Potatoes are high in calories and this makes them very beneficial for the weight gain.

#11 Reduces inflammation

Potatoes are effective home remedy for reducing external and internal inflammation. Vitamin B6, potassium and vitamin C can relieve inflammation of the digestive system and the intestine. It is beneficial for those who suffer from gout and arthritis. However, you should eat baked potatoes instead of deep fried ones.

#12 Lowers blood pressure

Potatoes may help lower blood pressure for several reasons. Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at The University of Texas at Austin, said that the fiber found in potatoes can help lower cholesterol by binding with cholesterol in the blood. "After it binds, we excrete it," she said.

Potatoes are also a good source of potassium. "All potatoes are potassium rich," Jarzabkowski said. "They have even more potassium than a banana, and a lot of it is found in the [potato's] skin." She noted that the outer potato peel also contains a good deal of fiber. Potassium is a mineral that helps lower blood pressure, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Potassium, too, can help lower blood pressure through its actions as a vasodilator (blood vessel widener). Scientists at the Institute for Food Research have discovered that potatoes contain chemicals called kukoamines, which are associated with lowering blood pressure.

#13 Relieves kidney stones

Uric acid levels in the blood are the main contributor to kidney stones. Those suffering from kidney stones can find many additional benefits when ingesting the potato peel, as it is a rich source of nutrients like copper, manganese, potassium and B vitamins.

#14 Treatment Of Dark Spots

If you are worried about the marks in your face which the pimples are leaving behind? Just apply the juice of the potato and it will help you to get rid of all the marks and dark spots.

#15 Promotes Healthy Hair

Potatoes are a great natural ingredient to help achieve healthy hair.

1.Blend grated raw potato to make a smooth paste and squeeze water from it.

2.Mix this water with one whole egg, 3 drops of lemon juice and curd (optional).

3.Apply this on your hair from scalp to ends and wash off after 20 to 25 minutes

4.Use your normal shampoo and warm water to get naturally healthy and shiny hair.

This mask should be used once in 20 days for best results

#16 Skin lightening

Potato juice can be used to naturally lighten the skin. A potato contains an enzyme called catecholase, which has natural bleaching properties. Cut a potato into slices and rub a slice over the affected area. Let the juice dry and rinse off after thirty minutes. Use this remedy three to four times a week for best results.