Health Benefits of Potatoes
December 8th, 2010
What? There are health benefits in potatoes? Yes, in fact, a potato can be taken as one of Nature’s drug stores. Consider the following health benefits of this ugly duckling of a tuber:
- It has vitamin C and B-complex and minerals, i.e., potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc which are good for the skin; protection against scurvy, relieve rheumatic pains and minimize internal and external body inflammations;
- The fibers in potatoes help lower cholesterol and improves the function of the insulin in the body, which aids in lowering blood pressure;
- It contains carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, etc) which are beneficial for the heart and other internal organs;
- Its magnesium content resists the accumulation or deposition of calcium in the kidneys, thus minimizing the occurrence of kidney stones;
- The ease of digestion and its fiber contents can help people suffering from diarrhea.
So how did it got to be dreaded by people on weight loss plans? I guess it was more a case of bad publicity mounted against it by companies selling weight loss programs and weight loss diets. With so many diet plans and programs hitting the market in the face of a global obesity problem, potatoes became the favorite whipping boy in the fray. What is forgotten is that potatoes did not cause obesity. Obesity is caused by the poor eating habits of people around the world.
Potatoes are complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, in general, are our fuel to survive. They give us energy to do all the things we do in any given day. Without them, we die.
As a complex carbohydrate, they take long to break down and digest. This natural property of potatoes make it one of the best weight loss products there is because they make us feel full a lot longer, resulting to our reduced craving for food. Provided it is eaten they way it should be eaten..
How do we eat potatoes the healthy way? First, eat them never as French fries. Besides being fried in unhealthy oil, it may also contain the cancer-causing substance, acrylamide. If you must fry them, use the healthy oils from mono-unsaturated fat.
Baked potatoes? Well, yes, provided they are not served with the usual high-calorie, high-fat toppings, i.e., butter, sour cram, cheese, gravy and bacon bits, they normally are served with. If you must have potato salad, dress it with non-fat yogurt, and oven-roasted potato will come well with thyme and pepper. Or you can make potato pancakes.
The best approach will be to consult the potato chapter of a dieting recipe book. You will definitely find a lot of good ways to savor it and, at the same time, get the full health benefits of your potatoes.
