Healthy secrets about the famous Potato

Potatoes are perhaps the only vegetable loved equally by vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Even those steadfast meat lovers, who wrinkle their nose at anything botanical, give special concession to potatoes. Potato lovers have been the victim of criticism forever. People tend to largely assume that potatoes have no health benefits whatsoever and are just tasty vegetables which add to the weight. In fact, most people switching to a weight loss diet get rid of the potatoes first.

Stop! A potato is not the villain everybody assumes it to be. It does in fact have fascinating health benefits which the common man has been blind to. For example the common myth that potato adds to the calories and hence need to be off the charts while creating a diet plan, is truly a myth. A cooked new potato has only 26 calories and is a treasure trove of nutrients. It is when you disguise this healthy vegetable by layers of mayonnaise, oil and cheese that it becomes the devil of every weight watcher’s nightmare.

Here are some interesting facts which might tempt weight watchers to make space for the innocent potato in their diet plans

Rich source of Vitamins

One never really looks at a potato in the light of a vitamin booster. Potatoes are a rich source of Vitamin B and Vitamin C.  Scurvy, a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C can be avoided or cured by the intake of potatoes. Sailors from as early as the 19^th century exploited this benefit of the potato to rid themselves of this painful condition. One potato, which weighs approximately 150gms, actually fulfills half the requirement of your daily intake of vitamin C. Potatoes are tubers which grow underground. They store necessary vitamins, potassium, magnesium and iron so as to be able to grow a new potato plant. Far from being fatty and starchy these nutrients from the potato are actually healthy for the human body.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Potatoes can actually prove to be therapeutic to individuals suffering from high blood pressure. Though the decision on the amount of potatoes required to be consumed for this effect is still under discussion, there is no doubt that the potato has been discovered to carry the molecules known as kukoamines which lower the blood pressure. Kukoamines are otherwise found in the Chinese plant Lycium which forms a key component of the soothing Chinese Herbal Tea.

Heart Problems

Potatoes or more specifically potato skins are rich in flavonoids which lower the level of LDL Cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol and keeps the arteries fat free.  Vitamin B6 found in the potatoes reduces the level of molecules called homocysteine which help to keep the arteries free of any kind of inflammation. Increase in the level of homocysteine in the body increases the risk of a heart attack. The potato skin has been identified to house sixty phytochemicals along with essential vitamins which help maintain a nutritive balance in any diet.

Still contemplating leaving this wonder vegetable out of a diet plan? Think again. This tasty vegetable, when consumed without the trimmings of cheese and without being deep fried, could actually be the key to a healthy life.