Potatoes are edible tubers with different varieties. They are cheap to grow and rich in nutrients.
Irish potato is one of the many varieties of potato. It is starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade solanum tuberosum.
The vegetable is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as carotenoids, natural phenols, potassium, vitamin B6 and trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, fibre and zinc, all of which have several functions in the human body. The nutritional content can vary depending on how it is prepared as it can be boiled, fried, baked even roasted.
The skin of the Irish potato contains great amount of the vitamins and minerals significantly reduce their nutritional content if one peels off the skin. Some people chop this tuber with its properly washed skin into tiny cubes, blend and drink. It is said to help with ulcer and give the human skin a fresh feel.
Potatoes can benefit human health in various ways.
-Potatoes are a good source of antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
-The micronutrients found in potatoes, help the body to build and maintain the skeletal (bone) structure.
-Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C and several research has found that vitamin C may help fight infection and sometimes help reduce the severity and duration of a cold.
-Potatoes are a good source of potassium, a mineral which helps lower blood pressure.
-Potatoes contain fibers and they help lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood.
-The fibers in potatoes can help with weight management as act as bulky agents thereby increasing satiety and reducing appetite.
-The vitamin B3 in potatoes play an important role in metabolism. They break down some of the food compounds into smaller ones which are in turn utilized for energy.
-Potatoes are naturally gluten-free, which makes them an great food choice for people with celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
-Potatoes contain vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant that may help prevent cell damage and cancer.
Generally, Potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, and also antioxidants and the aforementioned makes them a vegetable everyone should include in their diets once in a while as it’s health benefit is high.