The health benefits of potatoes have been long overlooked. People believe potatoes are unhealthy and only contribute to cholesterol, increase fats, and contain unhealthy amounts of carbohydrates and starches. However, potatoes are one of the most nutritious vegan ingredients that should be a part of your daily diet.
Potatoes contain a wide range of nutrients from Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, among many more. Apart from this, there’s a wide range of lesser-known health benefits of potatoes. Here are some of those health benefits of potatoes-
Contain Ample Nutrients
More often than not, potatoes are thought to have excess fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. However, potatoes are low in fat, rich in numerous nutrients, and hence should be an essential part of your daily diet. They contain a substantial amount of essential minerals such as magnesium, manganese, potassium among several others. They also contain vitamins such as Vitamin B6 and D.
This means potatoes are good for gut health, blood cholesterol, and sugar. It is also good for your bones and makes them stronger.
Hence potatoes are more nutritionally dense and more beneficial to the body than we believe. Potatoes can help you reach your overall health and fitness goals.
Contains Zero Cholesterol
Contrary to popular belief, potatoes do not contain any cholesterol. Potatoes actually have zero cholesterol. Many people are under the impression that potatoes contain a lot of cholesterol, but we add this harmful cholesterol to potatoes by adding animal foods such as butter, cheese, and meat.
Most popular recipes with potatoes often include frying. The oil adds a lot of cholesterol to the meal. Steamed or boiled potatoes are actually very healthy. This is one of the many unknown health benefits of potatoes.
Regulates Blood Sugar
One of the many health benefits of potatoes is that it regulates blood sugar levels in the body. This is mainly due to the low-fat content of potatoes. Studies have shown that higher amounts of fat in our muscle cells increase insulin resistance which can cause high blood sugar. Potatoes also contain resistant starch. Resistant starch reduces blood sugar levels and regulates sugar spikes after meals.
Studies have linked resistant starch intake with increased insulin sensitivity. Consumption of only 30 grams of resistant starch every day can increase insulin sensitivity by 33%. This means that one of the health benefits of potatoes is the efficient removal of excess sugar in the bloodstream.
Gut Health
Similar to fibers, the human body does not break down resistant starches. Hence vegetables and fruits containing fibers and resistant starches that act as fodder for the gut microbiome. This helps improve gut health. This is one of the lesser-known health benefits of potatoes.
They’re Filling
Since potatoes contain copious amounts of both, fibers and resistant starches. The digestive system doesn’t break down these components completely and hence can make you feel full faster and for longer durations. This is because they are low in calories and high in volume.
Potatoes also contain proteinase inhibitors which release a hormone called cholecystokinin. This hormone promotes the feeling of fullness.
Foods that make you feel fuller tend to reduce hunger pangs and binge eating. This effectively reduces weight and helps fight obesity etc.
Healthy weight loss can occur which is one of the benefits of potatoes.
Anti Inflammatory Properties
This is the most overlooked health benefit of potatoes. Potatoes have alkalizing properties. These properties help reduce inflammation and they tend to reduce acidity in the stomach.
Not only this, the anti-inflammatory properties of potatoes tend to relieve the pain caused by Arthritis. This is also one of the many health benefits of eating potatoes.
Improves Brain Health
Experiments suggest that eating potatoes can help improve cognitive health. Potatoes contain many minerals such as zinc, iron, manganese, etc. These minerals improve brain functions, e.g. critical thinking.
Eating potatoes every day can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and maintain good neurological health naturally.
There are several health benefits of potatoes. To improve your overall health add potatoes to your daily diet. The best part about potatoes is that they are a versatile food ingredient. They can be cooked in various ways and added to several dishes. This makes them an easy and tasty addition to your diet. With several health benefits and tasty recipes of potatoes, there’s no reason to say no to potatoes!
Amazing Potato Cakes/Patties!! NO OIL
