Potato Nutrition Facts

The phytochemicals in potatoes include flavanoids and a kukoamine that helps lower blood pressure.These tubers are a great addition to any diet. Potatoes come from Peru, where they have been cultivated by the Inca Indians.The potato was taken to the U.S. by Irish immigrants. Their minerals include good amounts of manganese, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous and of iron. Potatoes are also loaded with  copper, zinc, and calcium. When it comes to vitamins, a single serving of potatoes contains plenty of vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin K, and riboflavin. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. This brownish tuber contains many of the essential minerals and vitamins that do wonders for your health!

Nutrition Facts

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help get rid of colds and viruses, but its also crucial role in tooth and bone formation, digestion and blood cell formation. Vitamin C helps accelerate healing of wounds and produces collagen which maintains that youthful elasticity of your skin, not to mention it is essential for you because it helps one cope with stress.

Vitamin D

Potatoes are rich in vitamin D as well and is important for the immune system. Vitamin D plays an important part in your mood and energy levels. It promotes the  development of healthy bones, heart, nerves and it also supports your thyroid gland.

Rich in Iron

Potatoes contain iron which is a must mineral in the human body. This will give you the right amount of energy and will improve the red blood cell production.

Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium

Because the potato is a root vegetable, it is rich in minerals that help you build strong bones .The offers one-fourth of the potassium and one-sixth of the phosphorus you need daily. One of the important substances that help regulate heartbeats and nerve signals is potassium. This electrolyte performs essential functions, such as relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, protecting and controlling the activity of your kidneys.

Carotenoids

Potato’s rich orange color indicates that they are loaded with carotenoids such as carotene. These compounds strengthen your eyesight and boosts the immune system. These useful antioxidants help keep out cancer and offers protection  against the effects of aging. A clinical trial showed a 30 percent reduction in risk of lung cancer in people who consumed carotenoid rich foods as part of their daily diet.

Cautions:

Juice from potatoes is a good treatment for burns, bruises, sprains, skin problems and the formation of cysts or tumors. Green potatoes are often poisonous, and so are potato leaves and fruits, as they contain alkaloids like solanine, chaconine and arsenic. An overdose of those chemicals could easily be fatal. Moreover, the glycemic index (in simple words, the energy or sugar content) of potatoes is very high (above 80), so people that are obese or diabetics should avoid eating potatoes. If eaten, potatoes are healthier when baked, rather than raw or fried.