Potatoes - the benefits and harm to human health

Even supporters of proper nutrition are not against to eat French fries from McDonald's, despite the high calorie content of the dish. Mashed potatoes, fried, stewed - in what form it is not used! In view of the popularity of potatoes among our compatriots and residents of other countries, it is advisable to mention the beneficial 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. Out of 100 gr. more than 30 grams. given to carbohydrates, 5 grams. take up dietary fiber (including fiber in particular), 4.4 grams. - these are proteins, less than 0.3 grams. accumulates fat. There is no cholesterol in potatoes, if the vegetable is not to be fried!

When you take one tuber a day, you 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.

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

Since the chemical list of vegetable substances has been studied extensively, alpha-lipoic acid has not been spared either. It is responsible for the transformation of glucose into precious energy, and not fat reserves in secret places. In addition, this element is a natural antioxidant.

Some evidence suggests that this same acid helps reduce blood sugar levels. 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 the cells of the body.

As for calorie, 100 gr. raw vegetable boasts 145 kcal. It is easy to estimate the calorie content of a dish of 5 tubers, which 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 fried potatoes, which, in addition to harmful starch, also contain a lot of cholesterol.

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

Potatoes in traditional medicine

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

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

The benefits of potatoes

1. The composition of the mass of mineral substances such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, etc. All of them are required for compaction of bone tissue.Regular and metered intake of potatoes reduces the likelihood of fractures, lubricates the 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 participates in the formation of a strong musculoskeletal system. However, it should be careful, the abuse of products with phosphorus leads to the manifestation of osteoporosis.
3. The value of potato tubers for people who suffer from high blood pressure has been proven. Vasodilator effect reduces the performance, relieves headaches and frequent migraines, suppresses fatigue and dizziness.
4. Potato stimulates neurons in the brain. This feature leads to an improvement in mental activity, memory and concentration. Potatoes must be entered into the menu of people who work physically, because it increases the supply of strength and fights fatigue.
5. Vegetable improves the activity of the digestive system, removes stagnation, lubricates the walls of the esophagus. Potatoes should be eaten with stool disorders, bloating, and constipation.
6. Despite the high caloric content and starch content, new potatoes can be eaten while dieting. It will saturate the body for a long time, fill the daily need for essential elements and vitamins. You can control your appetite and at the same time take all the calories you need for energy from a vegetable.
7. Not without the valuable qualities of potato tubers for the immune system. Vitamin C in large quantities (more than half of the daily norm) is needed to suppress viral infections during their spread. Potatoes should be used by those who are often sick from childhood or are difficult to tolerate the off-season.
8. Vegetable is good for heart muscle. It contains potassium with magnesium, pyridoxine, thiamine, and other B-group vitamins. All of them have a positive effect on the density of the blood channels and its circulation, as well as reduce the likelihood of heart defects.
9. Raw potato juice is highly valued, as is the tuber itself. The drink has anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, expectorant effect. Potato juice makes the walls of cells thick, soothes the human nervous system, is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism.
10. Many tests involving potatoes have confirmed the value of this vegetable in the fight against oncological ailments. Vegetable and juice based on it prevent cancer by blocking the flow of blood to malignant neoplasms. The tumor simply resolves.
11. The beneficial properties of potato tubers affect all vital human organs and systems. Vegetable enhances metabolic processes, thereby improving the absorption of food, mental activity and psycho-emotional environment. It is useful to drink potato juice to those who suffer from insomnia.
12. Raw vegetable found application in the field of cosmetology. It is enough to chop the tuber on the grater and make a face mask. Some girls rub their skin with potato juice to reduce the likelihood of wrinkles and small wrinkles. Potato whitens skin pigmentation and freckles.

Harm of potatoes

1. It is forbidden to eat a root vegetable that is not ripe or sprouted. Such fruits contain the toxic substance solanine. Studies have shown that the enzyme has a negative effect on the respiratory and circulatory systems.Often there are severe headaches, diarrhea and muscle cramps.
2. Take into account, if you cook potatoes at a temperature above 120 degrees, the fruit begins to produce a harmful chemical acrylamide. Such a reagent is part of the plastic, 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 fatal imprint on the reproductive function and human genes. All kinds of fried potato dishes have the highest rate of acrylamide in the composition. The substance is present in table salt and fat. Therefore it is worth refusing similar components.
4. Potato consumption needs to be reduced due to the high potassium content. This condition applies to people who are in parallel taking drugs such as beta-blockers. In such preparations there is a high concentration of potassium. Do not lose sight of such a contraindication. Otherwise, potassium saturation leads to the development of pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
5. Renal failure, as a rule, leads to the fact that the internal organs are not able to pass through a high concentration of potassium. As a result, the illness can be fatal.Therefore, be sure to follow a diet that includes a variety of foods. Soon the body will be able to fully recover.
6. Potatoes are dangerous foods that trigger the development of diabetes. Therefore, experts strongly recommend reducing the consumption of the root before planning pregnancy. High starch concentration 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 revealed something else. The abuse of potatoes in any form develops the disease. Scientists have found out that it is starch that provokes ailment. Vegetable is especially dangerous during the gestation period.

Potatoes have positive qualities. The main condition is that the root should be properly prepared and included in the diet in limited quantities. You should not put high hopes on a vegetable. If you have contraindications, be sure to consult your doctor. It is also recommended to use potatoes externally.You can treat skin injuries and prepare all sorts of masks and means to restore the structure of the hair.

Video: how to be treated with potato juice