Potatoes: composition, benefit and harm

Around how useful or harmful potatoes, disputes have been going on since the very moment when he appeared in the diet of the Russians. Initially, this product is not recognized. But then so accustomed to it, that it was the potato that became for many the main source of energy. Now the question of whether potato dishes are good and who should eat them is very relevant again. To fully understand this issue, you need to study the composition of this product and how it affects the body.

The potato has a great nutritional value, therefore, when it is eaten, the feeling of fullness persists for quite a long time. So, if we consider this product in more detail, then the following substances are contained in hundred grams:

• kilocalories - 0.165;
• proteins - 4.4 grams;
• fats - 0.3 grams;
• carbohydrates - 0.35 grams;
• dietary fiber - 5 grams.

As for cholesterol, the dangers of which are spoken by all opponents of potatoes, it is contained only in the fried product. Therefore, only dishes cooked in a skillet or in a deep fryer can be considered harmful. In addition, you should never abuse potatoes, because it is a high-calorie product.

If we consider the content of useful components in one vegetable, then the indicators will be approximately as follows:

• fifty percent of vitamin C - this amount makes up half the person’s daily allowance;
• twenty-five percent potassium is the fourth part of the daily rate;
• two percent calcium;
• thirteen percent magnesium;
• thirty percent pyridoxine;
• nine percent iron.

Significantly less in one tuber of substances such as phosphorus, zinc and vitamin PP. In addition to these elements, it also has a natural antioxidant in the form of alpha-lipoic acid. She is responsible for the processing of glucose is not in body fat, and in vitality. In addition, this acid lowers sugar, which is important for diabetics. And also in the vegetable there is an element such as flavonoid quercetin, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, this substance prevents the appearance of signs of cancer.

In the vegetable, which has acquired a green tint, there is a lot of solanine, which is a very harmful substance and does not disappear even when cooked. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to eat green potatoes for both people and animals. You can store them only for landing in the ground.

Separately, it is worth noting that the amount of nutrients depends on what type of potato was chosen for planting. For example, blue potato is becoming very popular, which is increasingly appearing on store shelves. It differs from other varieties not only in its color, but also in many useful substances, because its composition, in addition to the usual elements, includes large amounts of vitamin C and E, as well as carotenes.

Although many girls cross out potatoes from their diet, it is very good for the body. If you take the same blue potatoes, then regular consumption of this vegetable will help to significantly improve vision and strengthen blood vessels. Due to the fact that there is a lot of potassium in potatoes, eating mashed potatoes and baked vegetables helps to remove excess water from the body. This largely contributes to a more active metabolism, so the potatoes, oddly enough, are often used for weight loss. It is especially useful in baked form.

It can be actively used by those who are concerned about such problems as hypertension or heart failure.In addition to all this, the potato has many beneficial properties and makes it possible to cope with gastritis without the use of medicines.

We should also consider how the potato affects the state of people with various health problems.

• For bone health. To maintain healthy bones, the body needs substances such as phosphorus, zinc, iron and calcium. In this case, of course, it is necessary to maintain a balance between minerals such as phosphorus and calcium, otherwise problems with joints and bones may occur. Therefore, eating potatoes should be with extreme caution.
• With blood pressure. Since potatoes are rich in potassium, which expands blood vessels, it will be useful for people who are familiar with this disease to eat it, but the portions should be small. And also potatoes helps to lower blood pressure a little. More recently, scientists have found one interesting substance in potatoes. It is called kukoamines and it existed only in a very exotic plant, the fresh bark of which was used for experiments in Chinese traditional medicine. It was believed that this substance helps to reduce pressure. Now scientists are studying whether the substance is stable when cooking, as well as the dose of its use. In addition, this substance was found in almost all Paslenovs.
• For heart. This vegetable contains a large amount of fiber, which reduces cholesterol in the blood. This helps to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as support heart health. And since the fiber is only in the skin of the potato, then it should be consumed either in a baked form or boiled with the skin.

• Anti-inflammatory effect. Potato has such an important substance as choline. It helps the body absorb fats, significantly reduces various chronic inflammations, and also helps to restore sleep. In addition, the juice of the potato relieves inflammation not only from the oral cavity, but also helps with the inflammatory processes of the ulcer.
• Anticancer action. An important role in maintaining health is played by folic acid, which is also found in potatoes. It affects the synthesis and repair of DNA, and therefore it is believed that eating potatoes helps prevent the formation of cancer cells. In addition, the fiber in potatoes significantly lowers the cholesterol content in the body. Also, this component prevents such a serious disease as colon cancer. The nutritional properties of potatoes largely help control hunger and significantly reduce appetite.
• To normalize the brain. Separately, it is worth noting that the potato contains vitamin B6, which is involved in the synthesis of such hormones as:
  • seratonin - its lack causes depression;
  • adrenaline helps endure stressful situations;
  • Melatonin is responsible for normal sleep.

In addition to the beneficial properties, the potato also has negative, which can bring not good, but harm to the body. It is worth considering in more detail some of them.

• As mentioned above, sprouted potatoes have a large amount of solanine, therefore, it is strictly prohibited to eat it. If a person recovers with such a vegetable, there will be both vomiting and a sharp pain in the stomach. The most dangerous such substance is for pregnant women. Although poisoning will not be so critical for a mother, it’s scary for a baby. Corned beef can cause the child to be born with some innate problems.
• With long-term storage in the refrigerator, starch is hydrolyzed to sugar.Many nutritionists prohibit the use of potatoes by people with obesity, as well as those who suffer from diabetes. The fact is that this vegetable has a rather high glycemic index. He is able to raise the level of sugar in human blood. However, if there are potatoes in combination with greens and various vegetables, then it will not cause any harm to the body.
• Fried or deep-fried potatoes that are high in fat are very harmful; and also such dishes contain a lot of cholesterol.
• If a person has kidney disease, then excessive use of potatoes for food can lead to additional problems. After all, it contains a large amount of potassium, the excess of which the kidneys can not filter out. Therefore, it is worth a little to limit the use of potatoes in food.

Potatoes are used for different purposes. It is suitable for fast cooking of various dishes, as well as in traditional medicine and even in cosmetology.

In folk medicine, potatoes have been used since ancient times. Many use it to combat inflammatory processes, both inside and outside. For internal use, it is necessary to boil the potatoes and ceiling it, then it is necessary to cover with the head and breathe for about ten minutes. This way you can even cure bronchitis. If a person's skin was damaged, it is enough to attach a small slice of this extraordinary vegetable and the wound will gradually begin to tighten. In addition, it is often used for wound healing with not too severe burns. And also the potato is an excellent means for cleansing the stomach from toxins and slags.

Freshly squeezed potato juice is used in diseases such as pancreatitis. To do this, one hour before meals, you need to drink a composition of one hundred grams of potato juice and one hundred grams of carrot juice. It is necessary to do this three times a day. The course lasts up to one week. In addition, this juice can normalize acidity, as well as it is often used for bloating or constipation.

Raw potatoes are used to solve health problems. Juice of it can be drunk to boost the immune system. In addition, it serves as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant. Another positive quality is the ability to thicken the cells and soothe the nervous system of the body. In addition, many use it to combat heart defects.

A very famous recipe from such a healer as Father George. With his help, you can get rid of gallstones. You need to take one kilogram of potatoes, fill it with six liters of water and cook for four hours. Then it must be well covered and left in water overnight. In the morning, the liquid is decanted, and all that is left is thrown out. Drain the liquid should be taken two tablespoons an hour before meals. It is necessary to do it forty days.

Juice of raw potatoes is also used to fight tumors. It blocks blood flow to malignant tumors and they simply dissolve.

The use of raw potatoes has found its application in the field of cosmetology. The most common remedy is a face mask made from grated potatoes. Many girls use potatoes to wipe their faces to fight off small wrinkles. In addition, the potato perfectly whitens the skin and removes freckles or age spots. The usefulness of potatoes for the skin is obvious.

Shredded raw potatoes can have both antiseptic and regenerating effects on human skin. In addition, such masks help at any age. They are used for skin irritations, boils, and even youthful acne.In addition, vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant and serves as a balm for skin that is aging or just tired. In cosmetology, masks from potatoes are used for lifting or just for smoothing small wrinkles.

Masks from mashed potatoes and a few yolks can be used. This mask helps to fight dry skin. The effect is visible after three procedures. To save from peeling heels, you can use a decoction of the skin of the vegetable. Many artists who lead an interesting lifestyle use potatoes to hide signs of fatigue or even a hangover, because it perfectly helps to remove puffiness under the eyes. If you do not have time to rub it, then you can take two slices of potatoes and just put them to the swollen places under the eyes for about twenty minutes.

But here it is also necessary not to overdo it, since in some cases such a mask can cause irritation on a tender skin area. To avoid this, you should try its action on a small area of ​​the hand. If the raw mask does not fit, then you need to try to make it from boiled potatoes. Often grated tubers are used as a remedy for corns. To do this, mix the potatoes with onions in equal proportions and put on sore spots. Top to wear socks. From such a mask, the skin becomes soft and it can be removed without much effort.

The use of potatoes in cooking is very diverse. From it you can cook a large number of dishes, both dietary and ordinary. In addition, the potato has excellent taste. It contains a large amount of starch, which is easily absorbed by the human body and also has a certain enveloping effect. So, it can be cooked baked in the oven, steamed, boiled new potatoes, make a filling for dumplings or pies.

Since the nutrients that are in this vegetable are washed out too quickly with water, the peeled potatoes must be thrown into boiling water very quickly. Most of the vitamins and nutrients preserves baked or boiled in their skins potatoes. It is the latter most often used in different diets. The less salt or fat will be in the potato, the more beneficial it will be for the body. If it is used in the diet, then with olive or sunflower oil.

Some nutritionists recommend cooking boiled potatoes, throwing a few bay leaves there. It has a good effect on the joints, and also helps with headaches or tinnitus. Those who love fried potatoes can grill it. It will be both tasty and healthy.

It is worth considering a few useful recipes from this vegetable, because its use is very diverse.

This dish will conquer anyone with their taste. For its preparation you will need the following ingredients:

• 0.250 kg of any minced meat;
• 1 kg of potatoes;
• one onion;
• 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs;
• 0.1 kg of cheese;
• two eggs;
• 0.05 L of sunflower oil;
• salt and pepper to taste;
• flour.

The preparation method includes the following steps:

• potatoes must be boiled in uniforms and peeled, then it should be grated on a coarse grater;
• onions should be cut into small pieces and fry in sunflower oil;
• add the same crackers and fry until the color turns golden;
• add minced meat to this mass and cook another ten minutes;
• in the meantime, spices and eggs, as well as flour, must be added to the grated potatoes in order to make a dough that does not stick to hands;
• ready dough must be divided into several balls and roll them;
• stuffing is laid out in the middle, and flat cakes similar to dumplings are made;
• then they are dipped in salted boiling water and cooked for ten minutes;
• Ready sorcerers need to sprinkle with grated cheese, and pour the top with melted butter.

To make this unusual bread you will need the following ingredients:

• 0.27 kg of flour;
• 0.1 kg of mashed potatoes;
• two eggs;
• 0.04 kg of sugar;
• one tablespoon of powdered milk;
• salt;
• 0.02 kg of butter;
• 0.06 liters of milk;
• sunflower oil.

The method of preparation includes such actions as:

• mashed potatoes should be cooked and allowed to cool;
• at this time it is worth making a sauce, for which you will need to mix the yolk, flour, sugar and beat with a mixer, then cover and refrigerate;
• in a large bowl, dilute the yeast and leave for ten minutes;
• then you must add mashed potatoes, eggs, milk, sugar and butter, as well as salt and flour;
• You should knead the dough and wait until it increases three times in volume;
• the dough should be divided into small balls and put on a greased baking sheet, whipped egg should be greased;
• you need to bake about thirty minutes at a temperature of one hundred and eighty degrees;
• ready-made buns can be poured over the sauce.

About the benefits of potatoes and the possible harm says Elena Malysheva in the next video.