The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum. Potato may be applied to both the plant and the edible tuber. Potatoes have become a staple food in many parts of the world and an integral part of much of the world’s food supply.
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Uses
- Potatoes are used to brew alcoholic beverages such as vodka, poitín, or akvavit.
- They are also used as fodder for livestock. Livestock-grade potatoes, considered too small and/or blemished to sell or market for human use but suitable for fodder use, have been called chats in some dialects. They may be stored in bins until use; they are sometimes ensiled. Some farmers prefer to steam them rather than feed them raw and are equipped to do so efficiently.
- Potato starch is used in the food industry as a thickener and binder for soups and sauces, in the textile industry as an adhesive, and for the manufacturing of papers and boards.
Benefits
- An excellent source of vitamin C
- A good source of potassium (more than a banana!)
- A good source of vitamin B6
- Fat, sodium, and cholesterol-free
Cautions
- Unblemished, ripe potatoes eaten as food or taken as medicine seem safe for most people. Damaged potatoes, green potatoes, and sprouts contain poisonous chemicals that cannot be destroyed by cooking. These poisonous chemicals can cause headache, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, thirst, restlessness, and even death.
Interactions
- Unknown, please consult your nutritionist.
Other names
N/A
References
Source: Potatogoodness, https://www.potatogoodness.com/nutrition/
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato
WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-809/potato