Potatoes are Good for Your Heart

Potatoes are one of the most popular food sources. Unfortunately, they are mostly eaten in the form of greasy French fries that they ended up being called “junk food” and are also linked as a potential contributor to a heart attack. Even baked potatoes which are usually laden with fats such as butter, sour cream and bacon bits don’t make much of a difference. But take away the extra fat and deep frying, and a baked potato especially with the skin offers significant protection against heart disease, cancer and other ailments.

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Lowers Blood Pressure

Newly boiled potatoes in their skin provide a good amount of potassium, an essential mineral for the cells, nerves and body fluids. Potassium in potatoes also plays a role in regulating blood pressure as part of a healthy low-salt diet.

Lowers Cholesterol

When people think of vitamin C food sources, they typically can only think about oranges. Unknown to many, potatoes are also very good sources of Vitamin C, believed to prevent heart disease, regulates cholesterol and blood pressure levels, fights allergies and asthma, and aid symptoms of a wide variety of diseases. It has always been known to be good for the bones, teeth, skin and red blood cells as well as helps the body resist stress and infection.

Good for Asthma, Diabetes and PMS

Potatoes are packed with Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), one of the B vitamins that produce enzymes and red blood cells. Some recent studies have shown it to be beneficial for asthma, diabetes and PMS (premenstrual syndrome) sufferers. This vitamin also plays numerous roles in our nervous system, many of which involve brain cell activity.

Prevents Constipation and Hemorrhoids

The potato skin is a rich source of dietary fiber. Before cooking, gently scrub the skin under cold running water and remove any deep eyes or bruises. If you must peel, only remove the thinnest layer you can get to retain the valuable nutrients just below the skin. Dietary fiber, also known as roughage is helpful in the treatment and prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.

Potatoes are also good sources of manganese and tryptophan; has trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc and a cup contains only 132 calories.

More on nutritious foods:

• Cucumber is Good for Your Skin
• 10 Good Reasons to Eat Avocado
• Health Benefits of Red Fruits and Vegetables
• Health Benefits of Green Fruits and Vegetables