Boiled, baked, fried, in uniform, with a crust and mashed potatoes… and how many we can give more examples! We will talk about potatoes, which in past centuries were served only in aristocratic homes, and now these tubers are the most popular food in every home. Potatoes are quite high in calories, so you should not abuse them, but you should not exclude them from the diet because they are a record holder in the content of potassium, which is very necessary for each of us. But what else is useful for potatoes, we will be happy to tell you.
SEASON
Young potato tubers are already available from the beginning of July, but they are fully harvested closer to September.
HOW TO CHOOSE
When buying potatoes, pay attention to the fact that the tubers are firm, even, evenly colored. There should be no foreign stains, dents, and cracks. The presence of a green barrel means that the tubers were stored in the light. This green spot contains a poisonous substance-solanine, be sure to cut off the green places and make culinary processing of potatoes. Sometimes unscrupulous sellers pass off old tubers for new potatoes. To check that you are not being deceived, scratch the peel with your fingernail – in young potatoes, the skin is easily scraped off.
USEFUL PROPERTIES
Young potatoes contain vitamin C. Unfortunately, the longer the potatoes are stored, the lower the vitamin content.
Potatoes contain almost all the amino acids; if you eat 300 g. a day of boiled potatoes, you can fully meet the body’s need for carbohydrates, potassium, and phosphorus.
The list of minerals that are part of the potato is impressive: potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur, chlorine.
Trace elements: zinc, bromine, silicon, copper, boron, manganese, iodine, cobalt…
The use of potatoes has a beneficial effect on diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Because of the alkalizing effect of potatoes, they help to neutralize the excess acids in the body that are formed during the metabolism.
The fiber of potatoes does not irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, so boiled potatoes can be eaten even during the exacerbation of gastritis and ulcers.
Potato starch reduces cholesterol in the liver and blood serum.
Potassium salts help to remove excess fluid from the body, so potatoes should definitely be included in the diet of people with kidney and heart diseases.
The juice of raw potatoes is rinsed in the mouth with pharyngitis and laryngitis. Rinsing with potato juice is also effective for periodontal disease.
Boiled potatoes are an excellent cosmetic remedy for dry skin and help to relieve the burning sensation of sunburn.
Potato starch is also useful. It is used as an enveloping, anti-inflammatory agent for gastrointestinal diseases.
Remember, the consumption of potatoes should be limited to people with excess weight, and potato juice is contraindicated in diabetes.
HOW TO USE IT
Potatoes are boiled, baked, fried, and stuffed. It is served as a side dish, added to soups and vegetable sautées. It is used to prepare snacks in the form of chips and add them to salads. Prepare potato patties and famous zrazy. And all the well-known drugs, just a hit of home dinners with the family!
For potato health benefits and harms read our big article.