Potatoes are extremely popular as an accompaniment to many dishes, especially in Germany. Whether they are boiled or boiled potatoes, or in the form of chips, dumplings, potato pancakes, puree or croquettes, they are a treat for young and old. But are they really he althy? Here we give you 4 important facts.
Potatoes are undoubtedly delicious, but are they also he althy? As with all types of vegetables, a large part of the ingredients can be lost during preparation. It is therefore clear that they are a he althy side dish, especially when gently cooked jacket or boiled potatoes.
If they are processed as fries, croquettes or potato pancakes, they are of course very fatty. Although the potato is frowned upon as a fattening agent, it is an indispensable staple food due to the various ingredients. In addition to the extremely good ingredients, the potato can even serve as a remedy.
4 interesting facts about potatoes
1. The ingredients of the potato
Potatoes are primarily made up of water, namely almost 80 percent. This makes them easily digestible and a suitable side dish even with a very conscious diet. They are also rich in starch and contain various minerals and vitamins.
Carbohydrates
The approximately 16 percent starch is available to the body as carbohydrates. The effect of heat during cooking makes them digestible for the human body. With just about two percent protein, the proportion is very low, but these two percent can really score. These are essential amino acids that are vital for our body. The amino acids contained in the potato are of extremely high quality. The potato is therefore the plant with the largest amount of protein that can be used by humans.
Minerals
Potatoes also contain around one percent of minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Our organism needs the minerals for many metabolic processes and cell renewal, it cannot produce them itself.
Dietary fiber
The proportion of dietary fiber varies between one and two percent, they ensure a good dietFeeling of satiety, because the gastrointestinal tract is busy with digestion for a long time. If you eat the potatoes with the skin, the function of the digestive system is promoted. In their original form, potatoes are virtually fat-free, which is why they are also ideal for figure-conscious people.
Vitamins
What many people don't know is that potatoes are particularly rich in vitamin C. The tuber also contains vitamins B1, B2 and B6, vitamin K as well as niacin and pantothenic acid. These vitamins support the functioning of the metabolism, strengthen the immune system and benefit hair, skin and nails.
If you look at the ingredients in the potato, you can be sure that it is a very he althy food. Potatoes are relatively low in calories. The high vitamin C content makes them a helper for our immune system, especially during the cold season.
The protein contained in the tubers is biologically of such high quality that vegetarians can also benefit from it. The potato is particularly rich in the mineral potassium, which not only regulates blood pressure, but also helps to dehydrate the body.
Magnesium is equally important for the nerves and the muscles because it relaxes the muscles and thus prevents cramps. Thus, the potato is also good for the diet of athletes.
We need vitamin K for better wound healing. The B vitamins not only strengthen our nerves but also stimulate the metabolism at the same time.
3. Prepare potatoes he althy
Most of the vitamins and minerals are found directly under the skin of the potato. It is therefore advisable to prepare and eat them together with the peel as often as possible. Jacket potatoes are the he althiest version of the vegetable. Before preparation, any green areas and the so-called eyes must be completely removed, because they contain toxins, the so-called alkaloids. Even better than cooking in water is the preparation with steam, while most of the valuable ingredients are retained. (Reading tip: Steaming potatoes - this is how it's done right!)
4. The potato as a home remedyWe can benefit from he alth not only by eating vegetables. The tuber can also do a lot as a home remedy. Potatoes are especially helpful for the following he alth conditions:
- Eczema
- Stomachitis
- Heartburn
- intestinal inflammation
- Sore Throat
- Insect Bites
Sore throat
Potato wraps can help with a sore throat. To do this, boil four potatoes with their skins until very soft and discard the water. The jacket potatoes are then mashed with a fork and placed on a clean kitchen towel. The kitchen towel filled with the warm mass is then wrapped around the neck and fixed with a cloth or scarf. You can leave the wrap on for a whole hour.
Heartburn
Squeeze the juice from raw potatoes and drink a glass of it in the morning and in the evening, you can relieve heartburn.
Cough
Hot potato water mixed with a little honey relieves cough and congestion.
Eczema and bites
Potato flour from the he alth food store can be sprinkled on itchy eczema like a powder or dabbed on with a cotton pad. If an insect bites you, rub the bite with a freshly sliced raw potato.