What does raw potatoes help from and is it possible to eat them

Potatoes are rarely eaten raw: few people like them taste... In addition, it is considered difficult to digest, although the vegetable is inherently non-toxic and high in vitamins and minerals. Resistant starch in its composition is not absorbed by the body, but this compound provides energy for beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Is it okay to eat raw potatoes

The healthiest tubers are yellow-skinned: they contain a lot of carotene. Potatoes are rich in vitamins from June to December. Young vegetables in June-July are especially tasty and juicy, but they are eaten only if it is known for certain that the crop has not been oversaturated with chemical fertilizers.

Useful substances accumulate in the peel, so raw potatoes are eaten unpeeled until winter. The tubers are thoroughly washed with a brush and scalded.

Attention! Potatoes contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid that can cause food poisoning. The substance is concentrated under the skin, in the green areas of the tubers.

From January to March, the content of vitamins in vegetables decreases, the concentration of solanine increases. Therefore, such potatoes must be peeled, and green, wilted or sprouted tubers (even with broken sprouts) are not eaten.

Who can eat

Raw potatoes are healthy for adults who do not suffer from gastrointestinal problems: the vegetable contains a lot of potassium (23% of the norm). Vitamins B5, B6, B1, B3, B2 are involved in metabolic processes, normalize the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, improve bowel function and skin condition.

Potatoes contain neither fat nor cholesterol. Iron in its composition is absorbed faster due to the high content of vitamin C (24%). Therefore, many vegetarians add raw tubers to their diet.

Small quantities of peeled potatoes are allowed for children, but choose only fresh, thoroughly washed tubers without green areas. It is recommended to add more other vegetables to the child's diet to replenish the nutrient balance.

What are the benefits of raw potatoes

Tubers contain many vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on humans. They are especially rich in trace elements:

• rubidium - 500% of the daily value;
• vanadium - 373%;
• silicon - 167%;
• boron - 164%;
• lithium - 77%;
• cobalt - 50%;
• chromium - 20%;
• iron - 15.5%.

Potassium

Potassium is a vital element in every cell of the body... It regulates water and acid-base balance, creates conditions for the transmission of nerve signals and muscle contractions.

100 g of potatoes account for 23% of the daily value of potassium. The vegetable contains more macronutrients than bananas, tomatoes, broccoli and oranges.

Vitamin C

This water-soluble vitamin acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, preventing cell damage. The substance supports the body's immune system.

Each 100 g of potatoes contains up to 24% vitamin C. Most of the ascorbic acid and potassium are concentrated in the pulp.

Reference! When cleaning tubers, 16–22% of vitamin C is lost. If potatoes are dipped into cold water during cooking, up to 30–50% of vitamin C will be destroyed due to oxidation, and up to 25–30% into boiling water.

Alimentary fiber

Insoluble fiber contained in the skin of potatoes supports proper bowel function and peristalsis, and lowers blood cholesterol levels.100 g of vegetable provides 7% of the daily value of fiber.

Vitamin B6

This water-soluble vitamin plays an important role in carbohydrate and protein metabolism:

• participates in the exchange of amino acids;
• promotes detoxification of the body;
• necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin.

100 g of tubers contain up to 15% vitamin B6.

Vitamin B1

Thiamine is involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, supports the functioning of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Increases mental performance, improves appetite.

100 g of the product contains 8% vitamin B1.

The nutritional value

Composition of 100 g potatoes:

• 74 kcal (4% of the norm);
• 1.94 g protein (3%);
• 0.33 g fat (0%);
• 16.79 g carbohydrates (6%).

Raw potatoes contain fewer calories, proteins and carbohydrates than cooked ones, but more ascorbic acid.

Harm and contraindications

Raw potatoes can be not only beneficial, but also harmful:

1. Antinutrients (trypsin inhibitor protein and lectins) interfere with the absorption of nutrients, but they will not be a problem for people with a balanced and varied diet.
2. Tubers contain poisonous glycoalkaloid solanine... In unfavorable conditions, in case of damage, plants produce more protective substances. When exposed to sunlight, vegetables turn green due to the chlorophyll pigment, but the level of glycoalkaloids also rises along the way.
3. Stable starch in potatoes it supports the intestinal microflora, but its large amount in tubers (up to 17 g) can cause digestive problems.

Raw potatoes are contraindicated in exacerbation of diseases of the digestive system, gastritis and ulcerative lesions against a background of low acidity, severe forms of diabetes.

Application

Raw potatoes are used in folk medicine and cosmetology.

For gum disease

Vitamin C contained in potatoes strengthens teeth and gums well.

The raw tuber is thoroughly washed with a stiff brush, poured over with boiling water, chopped on a grater along with the peel. The resulting mass is applied to the inflamed gums for 20-25 minutes. Repeat three times a day.

With arthritis

Ascorbic acid in a vegetable helps to absorb calcium, has antioxidant properties, and is involved in collagen production. Potassium cleanses from harmful salts.

To alleviate the symptoms of the disease, 1 large potato is peeled and finely rubbed. The resulting gruel is mixed with 250 ml of kefir. The finished product is consumed inside the first 10 days for 1 tbsp. before meals, the next 10 - the same, but every other day, the last 10 - every 2 days. The course is 2 months.

With oncological diseases

Raw potato juice is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radicals from damaging cells, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. For prevention, every day they drink 1-2 tbsp. such juice.

During pregnancy

100 g of raw potatoes contains up to 11% of the daily value of folic acid, which contributes to the development of the fetal nervous system. Vegetable - a source of iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium, which are involved in the growth and development of the child. The main source of energy for the fetus is glucose (4.2% per 100 g of product).

Pregnant women are allowed to eat raw potatoes in moderation (no more than 250 g per day).

For heartburn

Raw potatoes are an alkaline product that helps with high acidity:

1. A small tuber is cut into small pieces without peeling.
2. Grind them in a blender.
3. Drink strained juice 2 times a day to get rid of heartburn.

From bags under the eyes

The vegetable contains the enzyme catecholase, which whitens the skin and removes dark circles under the eyes. To do this, the tuber is crushed on a grater, the resulting gruel is applied under the eyes for 5 minutes. The procedure is performed daily.

Slimming

Proteinase inhibitors in tubers suppress hunger and slow down digestion. The potato diet is rich in nutrients, including fiber.

It is not recommended to carry out a mono-diet on raw potatoes - the vegetable is boiled.

Diet rules:

• use only boiled potatoes for 3-5 days;
• they eat 0.9-2.3 kg of vegetables daily;
• excludes seasonings, salt, ketchup, butter, sour cream and cheese;
• drink only water, green tea or black coffee without sugar;
• heavy physical activity is replaced by light exercise and walking.

Other

Grated green potatoes are applied externally for muscle pain and skin problems. Solanin, when applied externally, has an antispasmodic effect, relieves inflammation. The cooling action of the raw slices quickly relieves itching caused by contact dermatitis and insect bites.

Opinions of doctors

The main source of concern associated with eating raw potatoes is the toxic glycoalkaloid solanine, which in large quantities causes headaches, nausea, diarrhea and, in some cases, even death. Therefore, doctors recommend avoid eating green tubers, and include a raw vegetable in the diet only in moderation (no more than 250 g per day).

Conclusion

Eating raw potatoes in moderation is good for the body: the tubers are rich in trace elements, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, which have a beneficial effect on all organ systems. It is important to exclude green vegetables from the diet, wash thoroughly and scald the product.