Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is distributed in about 100 edible varieties, from white to red and black potatoes.
About 80% of the weight of a fresh potato tuber is water; almost all the remaining dry matter is starch. Most of the starch (70%) is amylopectin, the rest being amylose (1).
Pro
Its contents contain interesting components useful for maintaining a healthy human body:
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Copper
- Fibre
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Selenium
In particular, Vitamin B6 has a cardiovascular protective and protective effect on the nervous system and brain.
The potato also has a number of interesting phytonutrients such as :
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
- Caffeic acid
Particular warning about the potato skin, which is a concentrate of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity (2) and dietary fibres.
Cons
Potatoes are a source of carbohydrates in the diet all over the world and are generally considered high glycaemic index (3) foods, the parameter that indicates how much glucose is present in the blood.
Another problem with potato consumption is the pesticide residue that can be found in this tuber. Warning should be given as to where it is grown and what fertilisation it is subjected to.
In addition, warning must be given to prolonged frying at high temperatures, which degrades the qualities of the oil and the potato itself, generating acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic molecule (4)
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