Eating potatoes with chicken eggs, consuming sprouted potatoes, or simply enjoying crispy fried potatoes are common mistakes many people make when it comes to eating potatoes.
Things to Know When Eating Potatoes
1. Fried Potatoes Increase Blood Pressure
Not just fried potatoes, but potatoes in all cooking forms can put you at risk for high blood pressure. According to a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Fried potatoes are linked to high blood pressure.
It’s no surprise that fried potatoes are harmful to your health, but the research doesn’t stop there. The findings indicate that potato consumption is also associated with high blood pressure.
By examining health data from approximately 187,500 participants across three long-term studies, researchers found that those who consumed four or more servings of potatoes per week had an 11% higher risk of high blood pressure compared to those who rarely or never ate potatoes. This number rose to 17% when the potatoes were French fries.
2. Sprouted Potatoes Can Cause Poisoning
Sprouted potatoes contain solanine, and consuming these sprouts can lead to symptoms such as itching and burning in the throat, a burning sensation or pain in the upper abdomen, and may cause vomiting and diarrhea. In more severe cases, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, slight disorientation, and difficulty breathing may occur.
3. Potatoes + Eggs = Obesity
Potatoes and eggs can easily increase cholesterol levels leading to obesity.
The combination of potatoes and chicken eggs in one dish can easily increase levels of bad cholesterol, leading to obesity, which is a risk factor for metabolic heart diseases.
4. Avoid Eating Potatoes with Skin or Long-Stored Frozen Potatoes
When preparing potatoes, be cautious not to eat the skins, avoid old potatoes, and do not consume frozen potatoes as they can pose a risk of toxicity to the human body.
5. Who Should Avoid Eating Potatoes
Here are the groups of people who should avoid eating potatoes:
Pregnant Women
Due to their antioxidant properties, potatoes can enhance digestion, improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and even prevent cancer risk. Additionally, they are low in calories, with a medium-sized potato containing only 110 calories.
However, the solanine structure in potatoes is quite similar to steroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone in the body. If pregnant women consume potatoes daily, their bodies may absorb large amounts of alkaloids, which can cause abnormalities for the fetus.
Alkaloids in potatoes do not decrease through regular cooking methods like steaming or boiling. Moreover, fried potatoes contain high levels of fat and salt, which can lead to obesity and high blood pressure for the mother, thereby increasing risks for the fetus.
The health effects of potatoes depend on how they are prepared. (Image: Pexels).
Diabetics
People with diabetes often have high blood sugar levels. They should avoid consuming too many potatoes as they are sweet, fatty, and very high in starch.
Additionally, patients should focus on foods that help stabilize blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight to avoid the worst complications that may occur.
Diabetics need to be careful when eating starchy foods as they can cause blood sugar spikes. It’s recommended to consume only 50-60% of the starch amounts compared to healthy individuals.
People with High Blood Pressure
Not only fried potatoes but also all potato dishes can increase your risk of high blood pressure. This is because potatoes are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps lower blood pressure. On the other hand, potatoes have a high glycemic index, which is a contributing factor to high blood pressure.
