Health benefits of eating potatoes

Potatoes are good and healthy for you as long as you prepare them in a healthy manner.

Last week we told you about 45 foods that help you keep a healthy heart. Before that we told you about the kind of foods that will keep your blood pressure under check.

We also told you about the kind of foods that will boost your sex drive a few weeks ago and foods that will make your brain more active!

Today we bring to you the health benefits of eating potatoes.

Are potatoes good for health?

Potatoes are good and healthy for you as long as you prepare them in a healthy manner. Boiled and baked potatoes are good for you. French fries and potato chips are good in taste but not exactly healthy food.

Courtesy: www.gud2eat.com

Eat potato skin

Don't peel your potatoes as potato skin is a concentrated source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, copper, potassium and manganese. Avoid high calorie and high fat toppings.

Why is a boiled potato better than a banana?

Potatoes contain more potassium than a banana. One medium Potato = about 900 mg of potassium an important electrolyte that helps balance fluids in the body and blood pressure.

Potatoes help lower blood pressure

Potassium and Kukoamines in potatoes help lower blood pressure. Potato can be used to relieve high blood pressure due to tension and indigestion.

Potatoes help lower cholesterol

One cup of cooked potatoes = about 3 grams fibre. Fibre in potato is mostly in its skin and helps lower cholesterol and improves functioning of insulin in the body, which aids in lowering of blood pressure.

Potatoes and heart health

If potatoes are cooked by healthy cooking methods than they are good for your heart. Vitamin B6 in potatoes helps lower homocysteine levels and helps lower risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Potatoes and weight gain

Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and also contain little proteins; ideal in a diet for those who desperately want to put on weight. Vitamin C and B complex further helps proper absorption of carbs.

Potatoes and digestion

Potatoes mainly contain carbohydrates and are easy to digest as well as they facilitate digestion. Potatoes also contain fibre more in the raw form than boiled ones.

Potatoes help boost your mood

The vitamin B6 found in potatoes is needed for making the neuro-transmitters that send messages to the brain and regulate moods, adrenaline, the 'fight or flight' chemical that helps us to handle stress.

Potatoes and skin care

Potatoes contain many nutrients that are necessary for your skin health like vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.

Potatoes and inflammation

Potato is very effective in controlling inflammation, internal or external as cooked potatoes are soft and easy to digest and are rich in vitamin C. Potatoes are excellent diet for those who have mouth ulcers.

Potatoes and brain function

Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and thus maintain good level of glucose in the blood which does not let brain fatigue creep in and keeps the brain active and alert.