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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
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.
Health benefits of eating potatoes
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.