Potato: properties and benefits of delicious potatoes
With him sweet potato, the potato It is another of the foods not only most consumed in practically the whole world, but it is also one of the most used as a home remedy for a wide variety of disorders or health problems. In fact, although it is a very consumed food in our country, very few people know all the potato properties, which is why it becomes an essential food in a healthy and balanced diet.
Anyway, we are faced with a food widely used in the kitchen, as it is normal that the recipes and typical dishes of many countries abound in which, precisely, the potato appears either as a main ingredient, or simply as a delicious and nutritious companion.
In fact, the potato is considered one of the basic pillars of food, for its different benefits and properties.
What are potatoes?
Also known by the popular name of Pope, we have a wonderful food that is part of the family oftubers, in the same way that we can also distinguish other foods as for example is the case of sweet potato, the sweet potato wave Yucca (to mention just a few very brief examples).
More specifically, it is the tuber from a species of herbaceous plant belonging to the genusSolanum(of the Solanaceae family, which you will surely know is native to South America), and scientifically known by the name of Solanum tuberosum.
It is known that, originally, this plant was domesticated by the inhabitants of the Andean highlands (or plateau of Titicaca) about 8,000 years ago, becoming little by little one of the most cultivated for its delicious and nutritious edible tubers.
In fact, it was not until many centuries later that the Spanish conquerors took the potato to Europe, rather as a mere botanical curiosity. However, little by little its consumption was growing, until being cultivated in practically the whole world.
Nutritional properties of potatoes
From the start there is no doubt that the potato stands out as a delicious food rich in complex carbohydrates, which means that it becomes a staple food to keep blood sugar levels at bay. In addition, thanks to this content in complex carbohydrates, it is also ideal to increase our energy.
In fact, it has a low glycemic index, especially if you opt for healthier cooking options, such as baked or grilled.
Being rich in vitamin C, it is interesting when it comes to increasing the defenses and enhancing the natural immunity of our body. However, we must bear in mind that much of the vitamin C it contains is lost when we cook it.
Thanks to its potassium content, it helps control hypertension. And because of its high fiber content (a question that, incidentally, many people are unaware of), it brings health benefits to our digestive system.
Most important qualities of the potato
Provides energy and satiety
It is a very wonderful nutritious food, because thanks to its high content of complex carbohydrates, helps to provide energy slowly, little by little, not causing glucose to rise in blood and form peaks.
Further, helps maintain the proper functioning of the brain, providing us with energy if we are going to perform some physical activity.
On the other hand, thanks to its carbohydrate content, it is also a food that provides satiety, so it becomes an interesting option in weight loss diets. Especially if, as indicated above, for their cooking they opt for healthier forms, such as the oven (instead of fried).
High fiber content, ideal against constipation
Potatoes are also very rich in fiber, which means that it is an excellent food against constipation, since it helps positively when it comes to regulating and improving intestinal transit.
But this quality is not here, since fiber also helps reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood, and also provides satiety (so it remains equally ideal in slimming diets).
Prevent cardiovascular diseases
A regular consumption of potatoes is especially beneficial when it comes to preventing the onset of cardiovascular diseases, thanks to its content of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
In this sense, as we mentioned in the previous section, it is especially useful at the time of reduce elevated blood lipid levels, especially both cholesterol and triglycerides.
Benefits of the potato or potato, in summary
- Important content in vitamin C and potassium.
- At the content of complex carbohydrates.
- Useful to increase the defenses.
- It controls hypertension.
- It helps increase energy and control blood sugar levels.
- Rich in fiber.
What do you do so that the potatoes do not cause indigestion?
If you have eaten potatoes many times, it is quite probable that, at some point, you have verified for yourself that consumed quickly and quickly can cause a little indigestion.
If so, the key is in chew them and salivate them very well before swallowing them And we must not forget something fundamental: the digestion of the potato, like that of many other foods, begins in the mouth.
The best way to cook them: always cooked and with skin
As we have commented to you at some other moment throughout the present note, The best option when cooking potatoes is cooking them in the water, and always with your skin.
Why? Fundamentally because in this way we ensure that it will maintain all its nutritional properties, thus losing the smallest possible number of essential nutrients (with the exception of vitamin C, which will be lost). But something even more important: we will prevent it from breaking during the cooking process.
In addition, we will be ensuring a much healthier way of cooking, that does not add practically calories to the dish, as other less advisable options would do, as for example they could be the fried ones.
And how can we eat the potatoes or potatoes in the water?
Actually, it's very simple. You just have to wash the potatoes well under the water tap, in order to try to remove the dirt that your skin may have. Then put water in the saucepan or cauldron, and when it starts to boil, add the potatoes at the same time as the salt.
Of course, lower the heat a little to prevent the skin of the potato from breaking from the heat. Cook the potatoes between 15 to 20 minutes over low heat if medium and 30 minutes if they are larger.
Then, with the help of a fork or thick needle, check the cooking point of the potatoes by pricking them a little. When they are ready, turn off the heat, remove the water and try to cool them quickly. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist. ThemesTubers food
