Add Extra Antioxidants to Your Diet with Blue Potatoes
Deeper hues in our foods mean more antioxidants to protect our health. Now the potato has gotten in on the act.
Even in potatoes the more vibrant the color the more nutrition there is.
Red and blue colored potatoes get their pretty pigments from anthocyanins, and like grapes and berries that share these colors, the deeper hued potatoes contain properties which can help to protect cells from oxidative damages. Oxidative damage is responsible for many age-related diseases.
Blue potatoes retain 75% of their antioxidant qualities after cooking.
A research genetecist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Charles Brown according to findarticles.com did a study where naturally colored potatoes were crossbred to produce vibrantly colored red and purple ones. He then tested them for antioxidant capacity. Brown states that although no studies have been performed on them to rank health benefits the antioxidant levels ranked right up there with kale, spinach and brussel sprouts. Not only did they rank high without cooking but they retained 75% of their antioxidant qualities after cooking. The colorful potatoes prove to contain more than four times the antioxidant levels and still are a good source of complex carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin C, folic acid and iron.
Potatoes rank fourth as the most commonly grown food.
Potatoes rank right at the top of the largest food crops, coming in fourth after wheat, corn and rice. They are grown in 128 of 173 nations and we love them for their nutritional value, taste, and versatility. There are over 400 varieties cultivated and most of us have a favorite – bluegreenearth.us. Once you try these potatoes, you may have a new favorite. Every source I read states they are quite tasty.
Imagine the look of surprise from family and friends if you were to serve a potatoe salad for the fourth of July with colorful red, white, and blue potatoes. For more potatoe recipes click on the link below the first picture.
I first found out about blue potatoes while browsing through a seed catalog. You can order through the catalog or online at Farmer Seed and Nursery.
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Teves | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Nice written…
CHAN LEE PENG | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I like these blue-color potatoes. They’re sweet and soft, and their taste is really good, in addition to their nutritional value. Thanks for this great piece, sister! Take care and god bless you!
Glynis Smy | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I have never seen a blue potato! Interesting article.
Christine Ramsay | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I didn’t know blue potatoes existed. They sound like a good source of nutrients. A good post.
Christine
The Mind Relaxer | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Hope to find one and start adding extra antioxidants on my diet..
Guy Hogan | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I never knew there were blue potatoes. I know potatoes are good, healthy food and they are part of my diet; but this is the first time I’ve heard about blue potatoes. Well, you live and learn. Thank for the article. The thing is, the only kinds of potatoes that are sold around here are red and brown.
Sourav | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Never seen blue potato. This is a really new information to me. Thanks for this wonderful article.
giftarist | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Very interesting article..Never heard and seen blue potatoes too..
Judy Sheldon | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Teves, Chan, Glynis, Christine, The Mind Relaxer, Goy, Sourav, Giftarist thanks so much for your warm support. I have not been able to find the potato locally so I may have to order the seeds and grow them myself.
Take care & God bless.
Rahim | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I’ve never had blue potatoes. They acually look like blue oranges when you cut them open. I’ll check my local farmers market for them.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Rahim, if you find them sell them on ebay, so we can buy some too.
CA Johnson | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
This is amazing, Judy. I have never seen a blue potato before. It would be a surprise to people if you serve them colorful potatoes.
Ruby Hawk | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Judy, I have read about these potatoes but have never actually seen them. Maybe they have them at a organic food store.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
CA, people probably would not be surprised if I did because I just fed them pummelo for the first time, jicama, pomegranate, and persimmon… CA, they know me and my curiosity. This time I think I am going to have to buy the seeds though because I can\’t find any.
Thanks for reading. Take care & God bless.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Ruby, I have been looking and not found them yet, but I won’t give up that easily.
papaleng | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
First time to hear about blue potatoes. Interesting post.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Papaleng, it sure piqued my curiosity. I had to look into it.
Take care & God bless.
BC Doan | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
You’re such a great discoverer! And your article is always helpful, complete and informative!
Judy Sheldon | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Icy, you are always so supportive. Thanks so much.
Take care & God bless!
AlmaG | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
We have a lot of those potatoes here in my country and it’s very true that it’s rich in antioxidant and fiber too! Great post!
Patrick Regoniel | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
This is good to know. We eat potatoes in the morning and it would be good to savor a colored one. Thanks.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
Alma, send me one.
I’m teasing, of course. Thanks for your support. I would like to try them.
Patrick, it is always good to add more color to our diets.
Thanks and God bless.
Anuradha Ramkumar | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
I never knew potatoes are in blue color. Gr8 information. Could u send me one, Alma? I fell in love with this potato.
devsir | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
Now I know that there are blue potatoes also. Excellent Advice
Judy Sheldon | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
Anuradha and Devsir, thanks so much for your comments.
Take care & God bless.
Moses Ingram | Jan 23, 2010 | Reply
I’ve always liked blue potatoes, great article.
swatilohani | Mar 4, 2010 | Reply
awesome
Judy Sheldon | Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
Moses, perhaps we can talk you into selling us some? Thanks for reading and commenting.
Swatilohani, I have missed you. Glad to see you back.
lisa | May 8, 2010 | Reply
a friend of mine found them at the farmer’s market. they are great. i made mashed potatoes out of them, the exact same way you would make regular mashed potatoes. even left the skins on. very tasty and definitely good to know they are nutritionally better for you! =)
Judy Sheldon | May 8, 2010 | Reply
Lisa, it is good to hear more about blue potatoes. I am dying to try one and keep looking. One day my curiosity will be satisfied.
Take care and God bless!