Potatoes are one of the most friendly foods in the world, both by the little ones and by adults. Here you’ll find some of the health benefits of potatoes.
Belonging to the Solanaceae family, the tuber of the potato has been cultivated for centuries, and its origins date back to 3,000 BC. Carried to Europe around the 16th century, potatoes are widely used for their nutritional and healing properties.
Unlike other vegetable foods, they must always be cooked so that their starches break down and can cook in the microwave without compromising their nutritional value.
Health Benefits of Potatoes
It can say that eating potatoes regularly is good for your health, so let’s see in detail the 7 most significant health benefits of potatoes they bring to our body.
1. Relieve Gastritis
Since many of its healing properties contained in the skin, it is advisable to cook them whole, without peeling them.
However, the beneficial properties of this tuber are not limited to the skin, and they also extend to its juice. When contrasting the gastric juices, potatoes can be of great help in case of gastritis and stomach pains.
2. Counter Free Radicals
Potatoes have the high content of vitamin C, which helps to counteract the damage caused by free radicals.
Over the years, these molecules harmful to the body tend to accumulate carrying out a powerful oxidant action, harmful to almost all constituents of the body. Free radicals are responsible for premature aging.
3. Counteract Fluid Retention
The high potassium content of potatoes is also beneficial for another purpose: to counteract fluid retention, a problem that most women suffer.
The potatoes act by helping the body to eliminate excess water, excess responsible for the most common feminine imperfections, such as cellulite and stretch marks.
4. Help to Lose Weight
It seems absurd, but it’s like that: potatoes help you lose weight. Transmitting a great feeling of fullness, they allow to control hunger and, therefore, lose weight. Of course, as long as you do not overdo it.
Being rich in complex carbohydrates, they indicated for those who have diabetes. Before being absorbed, complex carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars and gradually enter circulation, which facilitates the action of blood glucose.
5. Purifies Body
Potatoes also have excellent purifying effects. The water contained in this food is useful to purify the intestine and to eliminate toxins from the body.
The regular consumption of potatoes, whether boiled, baked or in the form of a puree, is then particularly recommended for those who often suffer from intestinal and digestive problems.
6. Combat Hypertension
Potatoes are known for their multiple properties. These tubers so loved all over the world contain proteins, food fibers, vitamins and minerals capable of providing benefits to the whole organism.
Potassium, in particular, is a chemical element that can be of great help to those suffering from hypertension.
7. Prevent Tumors
The beneficial effect of potatoes can also be observed in the prevention of tumors. The substances contained in the shell, and solanine, are capable of blocking the growth of cancer cells, especially in the liver, stomach, and colon.
To fully enjoy their properties, it is better to boil them whole and reuse the cooking water in the preparation of broths and soups.
