Friday, August 1, 2014

Health Benefits of Potatoes

Potatoes have a lot to boast of especially when it comes to their health benefits. Potatoes are moderate in calories, filling and also non-fattening which ensure that you are able to eat healthily by consuming them. The nutritional value of potatoes is quite incredible as this nutrient dense food will supply your body with all the nutrients it needs to thrive healthily. Most importantly, potatoes provide your body with an incredible source of energy and fuel that is essential even when dieting. Here are some incredible health benefits of potatoes that you should know about:

Vitamin booster

Since the early 19th century, the Spanish and English sailors ate potatoes to combat scurvy. Potatoes are incredibly rich in vitamin C which boosts the immune system in a remarkable way. In addition to this, they are a perfect source of the essential vitamin B, minerals like iron, potassium and magnesium as well as foliate. Being underground tubers, potatoes store all minerals and vitamins in them which make them a perfect source of nutrients that you shouldn’t hesitate to make a part of your diet. Instead of being starchy and bland as most people regard them, potatoes are full of nutrients that will certainly do your body a lot of good.

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Blood pressure

In a recent research, it was found that potatoes have some molecules that helps lower the blood pressure known as kukoamines. For people with blood pressure issues, including potatoes in their daily diet would really be a very great idea. The traditional Chinese Medicine makes use of a plant known as Lycium Chinese that is known to contain a kukoamines in rich amounts. Taking some good potato servings per day will really help a lot in keeping you blood pressure under check.

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Fighting cardiovascular diseases

Nowadays, cardiovascular diseases have been on an increase and unknowingly to most people, potatoes contribute a lot when it comes to promoting cardiovascular health. Potato skins have been identified to contain over 60 different types of vitamins and phytochemicals that are essential for your cardiovascular health. Most of these are flavonoid which help in availing the much needed protection against various cardiovascular diseases by effectively keeping the arteries fat free and reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. In addition, it is now clear that potatoes contain B vitamins which protect the arteries in an incredible ay. Potatoes have vitamin B6 which reduces the level of a molecule known as homocysteine that makes the arteries to fur up and causes inflammation as well. A high level of homocysteine can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack as well and potatoes can help keep this under check.

Promoting gut health

Taking one baked potato provides your body with about 12 % of the recommended daily amount of fiber thus providing nearly the same level as cereals, grain breads and pastas provide your body with. The importance that taking foods that are rich in fiber and other bulking agents goes a long way towards supporting not just healthy digestion but also regular bowel movements as well. In addition to this, potatoes are said to protect you from colon cancer as well. Even the skin contains most of the potato fiber; potatoes also contain some indigestible starch as well. When the potato passes via your gut intact, it adds bulk and people with sluggish bowel movements can really benefit a lot by eating potatoes. Make sure that you cool the cooked potatoes before eating in order to ensure that the potatoes contain more indigestible starch.

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Stress reliever

Potatoes are a rich source of vitamin B6, one of the substances that play a crucial role in promoting cellular renewal, a balanced mood and enhancing the health of your nervous system. Adding some baked potato portions in your diet can provide you with more vitamin B6 which is known to combat stress effectively. This vitamin is used by the body for making neurotransmitters which help in delivering messages among the various cells in the body. Some neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin play a vital role in regulating moods and they are made by vitamin B6. Besides this, the vitamin is also used for making adrenaline and these hormones help a lot in helping people respond to stress. GABA is also another substance that is associated to a good feeling of wellbeing and relaxation and potatoes help in making this substance as well.

Potatoes contain iron

It has also been found that potatoes are a rich source of iron, a mineral that plays a crucial role in the healthy development of the body. Most people know too well that mineral iron is needed for the body to have enough energy but besides this, there are many other essential roles that iron plays in the body like promoting production of white and red blood cells, proper immune functioning, resistance to stress and even metabolizing of proteins.

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Potatoes contain vitamin D

Another one of the vitamins found in potatoes is vitamin D which plays quite a critical role in boosting your immune system. Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin and it plays a very essential role in boosting energy levels in the body, building healthy bones, nerves, heart, teeth and skin as well as mood control not to forget its incredible support to the thyroid gland.

As you can see, potatoes are a nutrient haven and you have every reason in the world why you should include them in your daily dietary regime. The fiber that is found in potatoes is half insoluble and half soluble meaning that it helps in lowering cholesterol in the body. Potatoes contain phytochemicals including flavonoid which do an incredible job in the body. And what is even great about potatoes is that they contain nearly all types of vitamins apart from vitamin A. Keeping this in mind, then you know too well why you shouldn’t pass on those potatoes anytime that you are feasting as they come with incredible health benefits.

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