In the article below you will find out, among others:
- Are potatoes healthy?
- Can you poison yourself with potatoes?
- How to properly cook potatoes?
Are potatoes healthy?
Potatoes are a very important element of our diet, among others due to the vitamin C content. Many people cannot imagine a full-fledged dinner without them. However, they contain the glyocalcoaloid solanine, whose task is to protect the plant against pests and diseases, but it is also toxic to humans. Luckily it is mainly concentrated in the outer parts of the tuber near the eyes. Its highest concentration is observed in unripe and green potatoes. It is insoluble in water and resistant to high temperatures, so its amount is not reduced during cooking.
The toxic dose of solanine for humans is approx. 300 mg, while its content in healthy, well-peeled potatoes is 0,001-0,002%, and in the case of green potatoes it is as much as 0,55%. A high content of solanine is observed in crisps (up to 72 mg / 100 g of product).
How to prepare potatoes for eating?
To reduce the amount of solanine consumed, peel potatoes carefully and discard any sprouting tubers. The method of their storage is also important (potatoes stored in the dark, produce solanine to a much lesser extent). Solanine is found not only in potatoes, but also in unripe tomatoes.
Source: Journal Cosmos
Do you often eat potatoes or crisps? Did you know about the presence of solanine in them? Let me know below!