13 Incredible Health Benefits Of Potatoes You Didn’t Know About

Whether mashed, baked or roasted, people often consider potatoes as comfort food. It is an important food staple and the number one vegetable crop in the world. Potatoes are available year-round as they are harvested somewhere every month of the year.

The potato belongs to the Solanaceae or nightshade family whose other members include tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tomatillos. They are the swollen portion of the underground stem which is called a tuber and is designed to provide food for the green leafy portion of the plant. If allowed to flower and fruit, the potato plant will bear an inedible fruit resembling a tomato.

Here are 13 incredible Health benefits its of potatoes that you must know:

1.Reducing Inflammation

According to the book 'Healing Foods' the "Alkalising and anti-inflammatory, potatoes soothe stomach and duodenum ulcers and reduce stomach acidity. They may also relieve the inflammation associated with arthritis." Add potatoes to your diet, but, remember that eating anything in excess is harmful. Moderation is the key!

2. Regulate Blood Pressure

Yes, potatoes can help ensure healthy BP. Now that doesn't mean you start noshing into greasy French fries, chips and all the processed junk. The consequences of munching into the junk will take its toll on your heart, but that doesn't mean you need to eliminate potatoes from your diet right away. If prepared well (Read: Baked, mashed or tossed in salads), potatoes can help regulate blood pressure.

3. Helps Calm You Down

According to the book 'Healing Foods', Potatoes, especially its white flesh, is rich with tryptophan, an amino acid with natural sedative properties that helps calm the nerves. L-tryptophan is an amino acid. L-tryptophan is called an essential amino acid as our body can't make it naturally. It must be acquired from food like potatoes.

4. Heart-Healing Properties

Did you know potatoes contain zero cholesterol? That's right, potatoes have no cholesterol. It is only the oil and cholesterol laden ingredients it is cooked with that makes it a threat to the heart. Potatoes, in fact, could do wonders for your heart with its heart healing antioxidant anthocyanins. They also contain fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and B6 - all of which are great for heart health.

5. Improve Brain Health

The alpha lipoic acid, a co enzyme present in the potatoes can help boost overall cognitive health. Experts have linked this acid to have beneficial effects on Alzheimer's patients as well. A number of vitamins and minerals present in potatoes positively affect the function of the brain (including zinc, phosphorus, and B complex). Vitamin B6 is particularly critical to maintaining neurological health.

6. Help Promote Digestion

The high fibre content of potatoes aids smoother digestion. Fiber supports digestion and promotes bowel regularity by adding bulk to stool. Potatoes can also help quick recovery from diarrhea. Potatoes are rich in potassium, a mineral that is excessively lost during diarrhea.

7. Promote Sleep

Tryptophan, which is naturally found in potatoes, is a natural sedative that ensures good sleep. Also, the potassium in potatoes acts as a muscle relaxant, which further ensures a more restful sleep and relaxation.Plus, it is a well-known fact that foods high in carbohydrates often inhibit regular sleeping patterns, especially in children.

8. Good for bones

"Rich in calcium and phosphorous, potatoes help strengthen bones" says Shilpa. The iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc present in potatoes all contribute to the building and maintenance of bone structure and strength. Zinc and iron play critical roles in the production and maturation of collagen. Potato has all these components.

9. For Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes

Peel a raw potato and slice it into large pieces. Now take a cloth or a towel and wrap the piece of potato in it and slowly place it over your dark circles. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash your eyes with water.

10. Reducing Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The vitamin c content of the vegetable can bring down visible signs of ageing from your face. To get rid of the wrinkles, apply the some potato juice on the affected area and see the results for yourself. You can also apply some finely mashed raw potato paste on the skin. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.

11. Removes Dead Skin Cells

Potatoes can do wonders to exfoliate your skin from within. "The antioxidant rich peels can be applied to skin to exfoliate the skin. Doing this can help remove dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin", notes Shilpa. Apply potato juice on your face and neck to remove dead skin from your face.

12. Treats Dry Skin

Rich in vitamin C, potatoes can help treat dry skin by nourishing it from within. Make a paste of grated potato and half a teaspoon of curd. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. Use this regularly to have better results. Interesting, right?

13. Helps Treat Sunburns

Potato juice or just two cut slice of potatoes can also help treat sunburns effectively. Take potato slices, preferably cold and apply it on the affected areas of your skin. If you have some potato juice you can dab it on the affected area. This would give out the cooling sensation to your sun burnt skin and help you repair your damaged skin.