Top 5 Health Benefits of Eating Potatoes

Experts tell us that potatoes are not only tasty additions to your diet but carry enormous health benefits as well. Nutritionists at the National Institutes of Health report that potatoes are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins and minerals that protect against cancer and promote heart-health.

What does this mean to family dinner time? Plenty. Check out these Top 5 Health Benefits of Eating Potatoes. Potatoes are not only delicious but important, healthy additions to your daily diet.

1. Eating potatoes can reduce inflammation. How? Potatoes are wholesome, nightshade vegetables, loaded with carbohydrates, protein, calcium, niacin and Vitamin C. Because of the fiber in potatoes, they are soft and easily digested. The Vitamin C in potatoes make them great antioxidants which repair cells in the body. Potatoes can relieve inflammation in the intestines and digestive track. Raw potatoes can also be mashed and applied to relieve external burns, inflammation, and so forth.

2. Eating potatoes can increase brain function. The brain or nerve center of your body relies on several things to function, including balanced glucose levels, oxygen, Vitamin B complex, amino acids, Omega-3 and other fatty acids, among others. Potatoes contain these elements and so much more to keep your brain performing as it should.

3. Eating potatoes can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates, protein, calcium, niacin and Vitamins C and B-complex. These properties help fight heart disease and keep blood pressure at normal levels. Potatoes also contain carotenoids, key to heart health and overall health and wellness.

4. Potatoes may offset incidence of kidney stones. There are an increasing number of studies that indicate that potatoes may have protective health benefits. For example, potatoes are rich sources of magnesium which can offset the accumulation of calcium in the kidney.

5. Potatoes advance skin care. Potatoes have all the right stuff to optimize health and wellness. Potatoes contain Vitamins C and B-complex, potassium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus, all excellent vitamins and minerals for your skin. Raw potatoes can be mashed and mixed with honey to make a masque for your skin. Raw potatoes can also be applied to burns and rashes to ease the swelling and pain.

The good news? Potatoes aren't just about carbs anymore. Indeed, there's growing evidence that potatoes may be among the most healthful vegetables around. Of course, it's best to bake a potato to get its full health benefits. You'll also need to limit the number of potatoes eaten with each meal, particularly if you are overweight or diabetic. Finally, it's important to check with your doctor, nutritionist and other health care professionals about ways to appropriately integrate potatoes into your daily diet and routine.

RESOURCES

Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov

Potatoes - HORT410 - Vegetable Crops
Introductory Notes & Production Statistics
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University

Health Benefits of Raw Potato Juice
Health Care Blog, May 19th 2008

The Potato
Natural Healing Guide