11 Surprising Benefits of Potatoes

Potatoes health benefits includes supporting digestion, enhancing the skin, a source of weight gain, helps treat scurvy, helps treat Rheumatism, reduces external and internal inflammation, helps lower blood pressure, preventing cancer, improving brain function, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and treat kidney diseases.

What are Potatoes?

Starchy and tuberous, potatoes come from the family of Solanum tubersum (perennial nightshade). The crop typically grows ugly and shapeless in almost all of its varieties. On the other hand, the phrase ‘Never Judge a book by its cover,’ sets perfectly on potatoes when it comes to counting an endless list of benefits this vegetable provides. Regardless of its distorted shape, scientifically called Solanum tubersum, the potatoe has some medicinal benefits as it is nutritionally enriched.  Given below is the nutrimental analysis of the vegetable along with its surprising benefits. 

Nutritional Analysis of Potatoes

• Vitamin D 4 %
• Iron 6%
• Vitamin C 30%
• Potassium    15%
• Vitamin B6 10 %
• Calcium 12%
• Fiber 7 %

11 Surprising Benefits of Potatoes

1. A Source of Weight Gain

Potatoes are the good source of gaining weight as they primarily contain carbohydrates. If you are working on building muscles or to gain weight, mashed patatoes are an ideal diet for you.  The range of vitamins including B-complex and vitamin C, potatoes help absorb carbohydrates in your body. This makes potatoes a must-to-have diet for wrestlers and fighters who require an adequate amount of energy to compete.

2. Digestible

The presence of a good amount of carbohydrates in potatoes predominantly helps digest the food.  This digestion property makes it one of the ideal food choices for toddlers who require viscous and easy to digest food.  In addition to that, a rich amount of fiber, particularly in raw or boiled potatoes aids stimulate peristaltic motion and secrete gastric juices to ease digestion.  On the other hand, consuming too much fiber in a daily diet may cause acidity.

3. Skin Care

If you have pale and dull skin, then you should know that potatoes contain some exceptional properties to nourish skin cells. Minerals like magnesium; phosphorous, zinc and potassium function like beauty agents and use to prevent aging signs. Besides that, many women apply the pulp of raw potatoes with honey as a face pack to cure pimples and dark spots. Potatoes water exfoliates the skin and improves complexion and provides a quick relief on the burnt skin.

4. Treat Scurvy

The oral disease is a viral infection that causes gum bleeding and cracked lips. It primarily demonstrates a deficiency of vitamin C in the body.  Potatoes, with their adequate amount of vitamin C, are the natural treatment of this disease which is conspicuously found in under developing countries. Scientists consider the prolific presence of potatoes can help prevent this problem from developing.

5. Treat Rheumatism

The disease is associated with causing the symptoms of muscles and joint pain with inflammation. Potatoes can be a source of quick relief. The presence of vitamins like magnesium and calcium in potatoes, help treat rheumatism. Also, boiled potatoes water can soothe the inflammation in the muscles. Seeing the flip side, the largely present carbohydrates and starchy content tend to increase weight, which may have harmful effects on the patients.

6. Reduce External and Internal Inflammation

According to recent studies, potatoes are extremely beneficial for reducing external and internal inflammation. Since it is easily digested, soft and has sufficient amounts of vitamin C, along with good antioxidant agents, it repairs ruptured tissues.  To relieve intestinal inflammation, vitamin B6 and potassium present in the potatoes significantly play their role. Both of these nutrients have good dietary elements that help you treat mouth ulcers and produce anti-inflammatory impact.  However, the weight gaining property of potatoes may exacerbate this condition. It is substantial to keep a fine balance in the intake.

7. Good for Lowering Blood Pressure

Scientists have enumerated various distinct reasons causing high blood pressure including stress, diabetes, nutrient imbalance and many more health complications.  Luckily, potatoes tend to alleviate many possible causes to relieve hypertension. The fiber in potatoes is considered a natural remedy to lower and control blood pressure, along with improving insulin production in your body. Adequate levels of insulin regulate glucose levels in the blood, which helps lower your blood pressure.

8. Prevents Cancer

A conducted study by Agriculture Research has confirmed the presence of quercetin in potatoes which has anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. Potatoes varieties like russet and red potatoes contain an adequate amount of antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin A, called carotene and zeaxanthin.  This antioxidant strengthens your immune system to protect against various life-threatening types of cancer.

9. Improves Brain Functioning

Research studies investigated that brain functioning depends on various components including proper oxygen supply,  maintained glucose levels,  balanced hormones, fatty acids and amino acids. Concerning this, if you are a potatoes lover, then the vegetable will cater to all of these requirements mentioned above. The high level of carbohydrates helps maintain glucose levels, preventing your brain from enervating its energy to keep you cognitively active and alert.  In addition to that, iron in potatoes facilitates proper oxygen transportation to help optimize its function.

10. Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases

Potatoes, apart from minerals and vitamins, have rich substances called carotenoids (zeaxanthin and lutein).  These substances, according to nutritionists, are incredibly beneficial for your heart.   However, it is significant to remember that potatoes increase glucose levels; over-consumption may lead to obesity and cardiovascular complications. If you have diabetes, only a limited quantity of potatoes will be recommended to you.

11. Treat Kidney Diseases

Recent studies have shown that the most common kidney problem, renal calculi, has tended to increase in the past few decades. It is mainly caused by an imbalanced intake of a high protein food such as shrimps, fish, and eggs, ultimately increasing uric acid in your blood. Increased levels of uric acid react with calcium and iron in the blood, forming kidney stones. Regarding this, magnesium in potatoes helps inhibit the accumulation of calcium in the kidney. Therefore, a recommended daily intake of potatoes may help prevent the formation of kidney stones and treat renal calculi. On the contrary, potatoes are also rich in calcium and iron and logically avoided to treat kidney diseases.

Conclusion

To crown it all, potatoes are undoubtedly an excellent source of energy as they are rich in carbohydrates and other nutrients.  Despite the risk that they can increase your weight, the medicinal benefits they provide cannot be denied. They treat cancer, help lower your blood pressure symptoms, solve skin problems, and cure burns and bruises.  Its high nutrient value makes it an essential food to add to your diet. You can have it in a variety of ways and feed your toddlers to fulfill all their nutritional requirements. However, it is significant to keep a balanced intake as they may be fatal concerning increasing obesity and sugar level.