Wow! Who Knew That Potatoes Have So Many Health Benefits?
Potatoes are the most consumed vegetable
crops in the US, and the fourth most consumed in the world, after rice,
wheat, and corn. While we all know that eating loads French fries and
crispy potato skins are bad for us, consuming potatoes in a healthy
manner may actually be very good for us. Below, you'll find 7 different
health benefits of potatoes. Just remember to go easy on the butter and
cheese!
1. They help to lower blood pressure.
different colours of potatoes available in the world.According to Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at the University of Texas, potatoes assist in lowering blood pressure for quite a few reasons. First of all, they contain quite a decent amount of potassium, which has been proven to lower blood pressure. They also contain kukoamines, which are complex chemicals that are also associated with lowering blood pressure. What's more, Jarzabkowski claims that the vast amount of fiber found in potatoes binds with cholesterol in the blood, thereby helping to lower harmful cholesterol levels as well.
2. They support brain functioning and
nervous system health.
Potatoes are bursting with B6 vitamins, which create plenty of useful
brain chemicals, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin,
which all help to combat stress, depression, and even ADHD.
Additionally, the carbohydrates found in potatoes could help enhance
memory and learning skills, while the high potassium levels promote the
widening of blood vessels, which makes sure that your brain is always
supplied with enough blood.
3. They boost your immunity.
Potatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which helps to prevent a whole
range of illnesses from the common cold to scurvy. According to the
Washington State Potato Commission, a single medium-sized baked potato
contains approximately 45% of an adult's recommended daily vitamin C
intake.
4. Aids digestion
Due to their high carbohydrate content, one
of the greatest health benefits that potatoes provide us with is their
ability to make digesting our food a whole lot easier. Additionally, the
high fiber content found in a potato's skin also helps you to avoid
constipation by keeping you regular.
5. They help keep your heart healthy.
Consuming potatoes gives your heart plenty of things to smile about. The
high fiber content helps to clear up any cholesterol which may be
clogging up your blood vessels, while carotenoids help maintain regular
heart functioning. The vitamin B6 that it contains also helps to get rid
of nasty free radicals, as well as converting the potentially harmful
molecule homocysteine into methionine, the presence of which could lead
to strokes and heart attacks.
6. They improve athletic performance.
According to Jarzabkowski, potatoes are
hugely beneficial to athletic people, as they help to restore the
balance of electrolytes. She says that "sodium and potassium, which are
found in potato peels, are two important electrolytes, and athletes lose
them in sweat." Having enough electrolytes is vital for optimal body
function, as having too little can cause cramps and other undesirable
side-effects.
7. They keep your skin beautiful.
If you want to keep your skin smooth and soft, then you might want to
start consuming more potatoes. Zinc, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium,
vitamin B6, and vitamin C have all been proven to keep your skin looking
fresh and healthy, and the best news is that potatoes contain all of
these components.