Potato, whose scientific name is Solanum tuberosum, also known as Irish potato, sweet potato, and mountain yam. Together with corn, wheat, rice, and oats, it is known as the world's five major food crops. Due to its rich nutritional value, potato has the reputation of "underground ginseng."
Its tubers contain about 15-25% starch, 2-3% protein, 0.7% fat, 0.15% crude fiber, and are also rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, as well as vitamins C, A, and B vitamins.
Potato is neutral in nature and has the effects of harmonizing the stomach, regulating the middle, strengthening the spleen, and replenishing qi; it can improve gastrointestinal function and has a certain therapeutic effect on constipation caused by gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, and hemorrhoids. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service believes: "By eating only whole milk and potatoes at each meal, one can get all the necessary elements for the human body."
Due to its rich nutrition, dual use as both grain and vegetable, abundance of vitamins and trace elements such as calcium and potassium, easy digestion and absorption, suitability for all ages, and comprehensive functions, potato is highly praised by people. Some praise it as the "second bread," while others acclaim it as the "king of plants." In European and American countries, especially North America, potato has long become the second staple food.
Potato's Protection for the Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular System
Potato is also rich in potassium, which can effectively prevent high blood pressure. The vitamin C in potatoes not only has a health-care effect on brain cells but also reduces cholesterol in the blood, making blood vessels elastic and thus preventing arteriosclerosis.
Potato's Effect on the Digestive System
The cellulose contained in potatoes is delicate and does not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. It has the effect of relieving pain or reducing gastric acid secretion. Regular consumption of potatoes can harmonize the stomach, regulate the middle, strengthen the spleen, and replenish qi. It can promote the digestive function of the spleen and stomach and has a therapeutic effect on gastric ulcers, hot cough, and skin eczema. Regular consumption of potatoes can also prevent colon cancer. Potatoes contain a large amount of dietary fiber, which can relax the bowels and promote bowel movements, helping the body to expel metabolic toxins in a timely manner and prevent constipation.
Potato Can Slow Down the Passage of Time
Potato is nutritious and an anti-aging food. It is rich in B vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, and pantothenic acid, a large amount of high-quality fiber, as well as trace elements, amino acids, proteins, fats, and high-quality starch. People who often eat potatoes are healthy and age slowly.
Potato Can Aid in Weight Loss
The calories it contains are lower than those of grain foods, making it an ideal food for weight loss. You don't have to worry about excess fat when eating potatoes because it contains only 0.1% fat, the lowest among all filling foods. Eating more potatoes every day can reduce fat intake and allow the body to gradually metabolize excess fat, eliminating your worries. Potato has a wonderful effect on the human body. "Thin people can gain weight, and fat people can lose weight." Regular consumption will make your figure slimmer.
Potato is a Natural Beauty Product
Potato has a great effect on caring for the skin and maintaining a youthful appearance. Applying fresh potato juice directly to the face has a significant whitening effect. Human skin is easily sunburned and tanned in the hot summer. Potato juice is effective in removing freckles and has no side effects.
Potato also has a significant beautifying effect on the skin around the eyes. Applying slices of cooked potato to the eyes can reduce puffiness under the eyes. Slicing potatoes and applying them to the face has a good effect on beauty and skincare and can reduce wrinkles. Young people with excessive skin oil secretion often suffer from acne and pimples. Applying fresh potato juice with cotton to the affected area can solve this problem.
Potato Can Improve Your Mood
Potato contains vitamin C. Office workers in modern society are most susceptible to negative emotions such as depression, discouragement, and anxiety. Potato can help you solve this problem. Food can affect a person's mood because the minerals and nutrients it contains can act on the human body and improve mental state.
People who often start things but fail to finish them are often due to a lack of vitamins A and C or excessive intake of acidic foods. Potato can help you supplement vitamins A and C and, while providing nutrition, can also replace the acid-base imbalance caused by excessive meat consumption.
Potato Can Regulate a Weak Constitution
Potato not only does not make people fat but also has the effects of healing wounds, promoting urination, and relieving spasms. It can prevent and treat ecchymosis, neuralgia, arthritis, coronary heart disease, and eye pain. Potato is rich in potassium. People with muscle weakness, loss of appetite, or those who have been taking diuretics or laxatives for a long time can supplement the lack of potassium in their bodies by eating more potatoes.
The high content of protein and B vitamins can enhance physical fitness and also improve memory and clear thinking. Friends who have no appetite in the summer, insist on eating potatoes for a period of time, and you will surely be satisfied with the results.
There Are Taboos When Eating Potatoes
1. Potatoes should be peeled before eating, and the sprouted parts must be dug out to avoid poisoning.
2. Cut potato shreds or slices should not be soaked for a long time, as soaking for too long will cause the loss of water-soluble vitamins and other nutrients.
3. When buying potatoes, do not buy potatoes with green skin or sprouted ones to avoid solanine poisoning.
4. In fast food, mashed potatoes and french fries are oxidized during processing, which destroys a large amount of vitamin C, greatly reducing their nutritional value. Eating french fries can easily increase fat intake, and the oil used for french fries is repeatedly heated at high temperatures, producing polymers that are easy to cause cancer.
After reading so many benefits of potatoes, here are some super delicious potato meals recommended to you by Xiaomei.
Beef and Potato Stew Potato Patties Cumin and Salt Baby Potatoes Chicken Potato Mash