Potatoes are the soul of almost every dish. In countries such as India, adding some potatoes can make a dish more satisfying and yummy. Also, boiled and mashed potatoes should be in everyone's diet at least once daily. Indeed, the humble potato can be mixed with all food items, vegetarian and otherwise, to embellish that dish. Some people warn about the high carbohydrate content in potatoes, saying it can be wrong for your shape. But this is only partially correct. Overeating potatoes can cause weight gain, but a limited amount will always be beneficial. Let’s discover the health benefits of potatoes in this article.
What are the Health Benefits of Potatoes?
The benefits of potatoes include:
- Rich in antioxidants: Potatoes are rich in antioxidants from potato phenolic acids and flavonoids. Interestingly, the more naturally coloured the skin and flesh of potatoes—such as red and purple—the more antioxidants they contain. Besides antioxidants, potatoes also have vitamin C, which can help protect against cellular damage by free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Good for digestion: Poor digestion can lead to numerous problems, including constipation and gas formation. If left untreated, these conditions can progress to severe forms. You can avoid these problems by regularly consuming potatoes in your diet. You will begin experiencing an improvement in your digestion activity, with potatoes contributing to building your gut strength.
- Gluten-free: People have become conscious of what's on their plate, and most look for gluten-free food items. Potatoes are naturally gluten-free and can be a good choice for everyone. Therefore, potatoes make a perfect choice for people with celiac disease. You don't need to go through any extra trouble about what to eat; have potatoes.
- Filling and satisfying: Most people do not feel full even after eating a hearty meal. In such cases, you can add mashed or boiled potatoes to the meal to get that filling and satisfying feeling.
- Versatility: As discussed above, potatoes are incredibly versatile. You can include potatoes in almost all dish preparations. Thus, this highly versatile vegetable can be consumed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This versatility of potatoes makes the veggie one of the most common and popular food choices.
Conclusion
Hence, we see that the ubiquitous potato is not only tasty and versatile but also contributes to helping us maintain a healthy diet. This does not mean encouraging a potato-only diet but including the tuber in other dishes and consuming it in moderation to derive its many health benefits. Perhaps no community or region in the world does not consume potatoes! On a serious note, remember to opt for health insurance as well, as it can be a handy weapon to tackle adverse financial situations that usually arise from unexpected medical emergencies.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.