Potato - benefits and harm to human health

Even adherents of proper nutrition do not mind eating french fries from McDonald's, despite the high calorie content of the dish. Mashed potatoes, fried, stewed - in whatever form they do not use it! In view of the popularity of potatoes among our compatriots and residents of other countries, it is advisable to mention the useful and harmful qualities of the vegetable.

The composition and characteristics of potatoes

Potato has a high nutritional value, which is why after its consumption, saturation remains for a long time. From a portion of 100 gr. more than 30 gr. given to carbohydrates, 5 g. occupy dietary fiber (including particular fiber), 4.4 g. - these are proteins, less than 0.3 gr. fat accumulates. There is no cholesterol in the potato if the vegetable is not fried!

When taking one tuber per day, you will fill 50% of the daily requirement for vitamin C. In addition to ascorbic acid, the vegetable concentrates potassium (more than 22% of the daily value), pyridoxine (29%), iron (10%), magnesium (13%), calcium (3%) and other equally important nutrients.

Potatoes contain choline, phosphorus, folic acid, vitamin PP, zinc, thiamine and tocopherol in a smaller volume. But in raw potatoes there is practically no sodium, it is given about 12 mg., This is less than 0.8% of the daily requirement.

Since the chemical list of substances of the vegetable has been sufficiently studied, alpha lipoic acid has not been ignored. She is responsible for transforming glucose into precious energy, not fat reserves in hidden places. In addition, this element is a natural antioxidant.

Some evidence suggests that this very acid helps lower blood sugar. As you know, this quality is valued by diabetics.

Potato tuber contains flavonoid quercetin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. This substance prevents the negative effects of radionuclides on body cells.

As for calorie content, 100 gr. raw vegetable boasts 145 kcal. It is easy to estimate the calorie content of a dish of 5 tubers, this is approximately 700 Kcal. For such simple reasons, overweight people should not abuse the vegetable.

In one boiled potato 145 Kcal., Fried - more than 480 Kcal. It was proved that 38% of Russians eat precisely fried potatoes, in which, in addition to harmful starch, there is also a lot of cholesterol.

Calorie index tends to the maximum mark in proportion to how many potatoes lay. The older the tubers, the higher their nutritional value. Young potatoes can rightfully be considered a dietary vegetable.

Potato in folk medicine

Raw potatoes performed well when healing burns. In addition, the root crop can thoroughly clean the gastrointestinal tract from toxic compounds and slagging.

If you drink potato juice in conjunction with carrot and celery, digestive processes are established. The composition normalizes the acidity in the stomach.

Potato Benefits

1. The composition of the mass of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, etc. All of them are required for bone compaction. Regular and dosed intake of potatoes reduces the likelihood of fractures, lubricates joints, and prevents many ailments of this environment.
2. Zinc in combination with iron and phosphorus are responsible for the production of collagen fibers.As you know, it is collagen that makes the skin taut and elastic, and also takes part in the formation of a strong musculoskeletal system. However, you should be careful, the abuse of phosphorus products leads to the manifestation of osteoporosis.
3. The value of potato tubers has been proven for people who suffer from high blood pressure. A vasodilating effect reduces performance, relieves headaches and frequent migraines, and suppresses fatigue and dizziness.
4. Potatoes stimulate brain neurons. This feature leads to improved mental activity, memory and concentration. A potato must be entered on the menu of people who work physically, as it increases the supply of strength and fights fatigue.
5. The vegetable adjusts the digestive system, removes congestion, lubricates the walls of the esophagus. Potatoes should be eaten with disorders of the stool, bloating, constipation.
6. Despite the high calorie content and starch content, young potatoes can be eaten while dieting. It will saturate the body for a long time, make up for the daily need for the necessary elements and vitamins. You can control your appetite and at the same time take from the vegetable all the calories needed to get energy.
7. Not without the valuable qualities of potato tubers for the immune system. Vitamin C in large volume (more than half the daily norm) is needed to suppress viral infections during their spread. Potatoes should be consumed by those who are often sick or difficult to endure off-season since childhood.
8. The vegetable is good for the heart muscle. It contains potassium with magnesium, pyridoxine, thiamine, and other B-group vitamins. All of them favorably affect the density of the blood channels and its circulation, and also reduce the likelihood of heart defects.
9. Raw potato juice is much appreciated, as is the tuber itself. The drink has an anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, expectorant effect. Potato juice makes the cell walls thick, calms the human nervous system, and is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism.
10. Many trials involving potatoes have confirmed the value of this vegetable in the fight against cancer. Vegetable and juice based on it prevent cancer by blocking the flow of blood to malignant neoplasms. The tumor simply dissolves.
11. The beneficial properties of potato tubers affect all vital organs and systems of a person. The vegetable increases metabolic processes, due to which the assimilation of food, mental activity and the psycho-emotional environment are being established. It is useful to drink potato juice for those who suffer from insomnia.
12. Raw vegetable has found application in the field of cosmetology. It is enough to grind the tuber on a grater and make a face mask. Some girls wipe the skin with potato juice to reduce the likelihood of creases and fine wrinkles. Potato whitens the skin from pigmentation and freckles.

Potato harm

1. It is forbidden to eat a root crop that has not matured or sprouted. These fruits contain the toxic substance solanine. Studies have shown that the enzyme negatively affects the respiratory and circulatory systems. Often there are severe headaches, diarrhea and muscle cramps.
2. Consider, if you cook potatoes at a temperature above 120 degrees, the harmful chemical substance acrylamide begins to be released in the fruits. Such a reagent is part of plastics, cigarette smoke, glue and dyes. The substance leads to the development of cancer cells.
3. Acrylamide provokes a neurotoxic effect on the body. The harmful substance leaves a harmful imprint on the reproductive function and human genes. All kinds of fried potato dishes have a maximum acrylamide in the composition. The substance is present in table salt and fat. Therefore, it is worth abandoning such components.
4. Potato consumption must be reduced due to its high potassium content. This condition applies to people who take medications such as beta-blockers in parallel. In such preparations there is a high concentration of potassium. Do not lose sight of such a contraindication. Otherwise, a glut of potassium leads to the development of pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
5. Renal failure, as a rule, leads to the fact that internal organs are not able to pass through themselves a high concentration of potassium. As a result, an ailment can be fatal. Therefore, be sure to follow a diet that includes a variety of products. Soon the body will be able to fully recover.
6. Potatoes are dangerous products that provoke the development of diabetes. Therefore, experts strongly recommend reducing the consumption of root crops before planning pregnancy. A high concentration of starch in potatoes leads to the development of gestational diabetes.
7. Initially, research was based on the fact that all fried potato dishes provoke the development of diabetes. In the course of numerous observations, something else became clear. Any abuse of potatoes develops the disease. Scientists have found that it is starch that provokes an ailment. Vegetable is especially dangerous during the period of gestation.

Potato has positive qualities. The main condition remains that the root crop must be properly prepared and included in the diet in limited quantities. You should not have high hopes for the vegetable. If you have contraindications, be sure to consult your doctor. It is also recommended to use potatoes externally. You can treat skin lesions and prepare all kinds of masks and tools to restore the structure of hair.

Video: how to be treated with potato juice