Shred them, and they’ll send your blood pressure soaring.
Dice them and you still won’t be any better off. Because these are killer veggies.
At least that’s what health experts have been saying for years.
And they’re wrong. Terribly wrong, actually, since this vegetable naturally lowers your blood pressure. What’s more, contrary to popular opinion, eating this so-called “junk food” veggie won’t add pounds to your body.
A new research study highlighting amazing blood pressure lowering abilities of the potato was presented at the 242nd annual National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Denver, Colorado.
The results of the research revealed that consuming just a few spuds a day lowers blood pressure as effectively as oatmeal, without adding extra pounds.
The study looked at 18 overweight/obese individuals who suffered from high blood pressure.
They were instructed to eat at least 6-8 purple potatoes with skins twice a day for one month.
Study investigators explain that they used purple potatoes, because the color pigment is especially rich in powerful health boosting compounds, called phytochemicals.
Throughout the study, researchers closely monitored the blood pressure of study participants. It showed that the average diastolic blood pressure measurement was reduced by 4.3% and systolic blood pressure reading dropped by 3.5 %.
According to the study authors, none of the participants gained extra weight from daily potato consumption.
Researchers discovered that certain compounds found in potatoes have a similar effect on the body as well-known ACE –inhibitor medications, a leading blood pressure-lowering medication.
Furthermore, the researchers were able to identify in potatoes a unique group of phytochemicals, which also are found in spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. The authors of the study believe that these unique phytochemicals also played an important role in blood pressure reduction.
But don’t rush to your nearest junk food restaurant to order an extra-large portion of French fries just yet!
The study was done using whole potatoes cooked in the microwave with skins, without oils or any other types of fats.
Most of us associate potatoes as having high carbohydrates, empty calories, a lot of fat.
However, in reality, a potato that is prepared without oil, butter, margarine, or sour cream contains just 110 calories and plenty of vitamins, minerals and health-boosting phytochemicals.
I am sorry to reveal the sad truth to French fry lovers, but the high cooking temperatures that are used to make “America’s favorite food” seem to destroy most of the healthy substances found in potatoes. What are left are fat, starch, and few minerals.
Even though this particular study used purple potatoes, researchers strongly believe that white potatoes provide the same benefits. The studies supporting this belief are going to be conducted in the near future.
You can find purple skin potatoes in larger food markets; however, you can enjoy the same benefits of white potatoes found all over the planet.
I recommend baking, boiling, or steaming potatoes if you want to get the health benefits.
Say “no way” to blood pressure by simply taking advantage of these 3 easy exercises, right now.
Baking in Microwave is harmful. Better steam in pressure cooker and eat with skin sprikling black pepper on sliced potatoes
My family have been eating this Japanese purple potatoes by steaming and it’s good
I am glad I signed on to this link. The facts about some vegetables and the health tips are simply astounding. I am deeply appreciative of your efforts in research and information disemination.
I am glad I signed on to this link. The facts about some vegetables and the health tips are simply astounding. I am deeply appreciative of your efforts in research and information disemination.
I’m not surprised to hear that potatoes are beneficial, but 6-8 twice a day?? Not at all realistic!!
Laurie,
I agree that eating 6 to 8 potatoes a day sounds “a bit” over the top…
I think that is the amount the researchers chose to use in their study, but it doesn’t mean we should load ourselves with potatoes daily just to get the health benefits.
In my opinion, eating them twice a week ,for instance, would be a great contribution to our health.
One of the problems with potatoes is that they spike glucose in the system. This doesn’t seem to be a very wise choice for diabetics or pre-diabetics, especially if the potatoes are eaten alone. Also, another comment mentions that “baking potatoes in a microwave is harmful.” This is an Internet hoax, and there is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE that microwaving harms food. In fact, microwaving tends to retain nutrients. See the article in the New York Times about this at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/health/17real.html?_r=0 .