The Top Ten Reasons Why Potatoes Will Improve Your Health
If you enjoy eating potatoes, you may be worried that this is a bad habit that is not particularly good for your health. However, you may be surprised to learn that potatoes are a very good source of a wide range of vital nutrients that are capable of making your body stronger and healthier. Read on to discover the top ten reasons why eating potatoes will boost your health and improve your quality of life.
- They improve and preserve the health of your heart:
There are several different ways in which adding more potatoes to your diet helps to promote cardiovascular health. For one thing, the skin of the potato provides you with large amounts of phytochemicals, which have been proven to lower levels of LDL cholesterol (commonly known as ‘bad cholesterol). This reduction then leads to a lowered risk of developing heart disease. In addition, potatoes provide you with more than 20% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, and a diet high in vitamin B6 is associated with a reduced risk of both heart attacks and strokes. - They help to keep your bones healthy:
Since potatoes contain folate, they reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis (i.e. brittle bones), making you less likely to suffer from painful fractures as you age. Research suggests that people who do not have enough folate in their diets have too much homocysteine in their bodies, and that this chemical is responsible for the fact that such people are 50% more likely to suffer from osteoporosis. - They may protect you against degenerative neurological disorders:
Potatoes make an excellent snack or meal component if you are interested in preserving your cognitive acuity well into old age. They contain magnesium, glucose, amino acids and B vitamins, all of which appear to promote healthy brain function and help to keep you mentally sharp. - They reduce your risk of developing cancer:
Studies show that people who eat more fiber are less likely to suffer from malignancies of the rectum and colon. In addition, those with a high folate intake are less likely to suffer from a wide range of cancers as well (including cancers of the cervix, lung and womb lining). Since potatoes are such a good source of both fiber and folate, they can offer you a reduction in your overall cancer risk. - They promote oral health:
The folate found in potatoes also preserves the condition of your gums, so potatoes are an ideal addition to your diet if you want to improve your dental health. This benefit comes from the fact that folate is required for the synthesis of certain cells that help to protect your gums from inflammation and disease. - They help to keep blood pressure under control:
Potatoes provide you with quercertin and kukoamines, both of which have been proven to lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels. If you eat more than one portion of potatoes every day, you are less likely to end up needing medication for hypertension. - They are good for your digestive system:
As mentioned above, potatoes contain plenty of fiber. Fiber can help to keep your bowels regular and prevent (or relieve) problems with constipation. In addition, potatoes are a source of complex carbohydrates, which are easy for the stomach to digest without causing wind cramps or feelings of discomfort. - They can reduce unwanted inflammation:
Due to the presence of vitamin C, B vitamins and potassium, potatoes may be able to relieve some of the pain caused by inflammatory conditions like arthritis and ulcerative colitis. - They can help to improve your willpower when you are dieting:
The complex carbohydrates found in potatoes will help you to feel full and satisfied for several hours after eating, which can help you if you are trying to lose weight. Specifically, you should feel less tempted to break your diet by eating sugary or fatty snacks. - They may have a positive influence on your mood:
Finally, the folate in potatoes helps to keep neurotransmitters balanced, as folate is necessary for their synthesis. As a result, consuming plenty of potatoes may help to reduce the symptoms of depression, as well as feelings of irritability and mental fatigue.
