Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are a type of potato that is native to Ireland. They are usually small, round, and have a really thin skin. The flesh of an Irish potato can be white, yellow or red in colour.
Irish potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. They are called Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500s and developed as a crop there.
Irish potatoes contain important nutrients that can benefit human health in various ways like preventing osteoporosis, maintaining blood pressure, aiding digestion, maintaining heart health, boosting immunity and reducing the risk of infections.
According to medicalnewstoday.com, below are the various health benefits of Irish potatoes.
1. It helps maintain a healthy blood pressure
The presence of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in Irish potatoes has been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.
This is because an increase in potassium intake helps maintain healthy blood pressure since potassium encourages vasodilation or the widening of the blood vessels.
2. It helps maintain a healthy heart
The potassium and dietary fibre in Irish potatoes can help to improve heart health.
Also, the potato’s fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health.
Irish potatoes are a good source of soluble fibre, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.
3. It aids digestion
Irish potatoes are a good source of dietary fibre, which helps to promote a healthy digestive system and prevent constipation.
4. It helps maintain bone health
The iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and zinc in potatoes all help the body to build and maintain bone structure and strength.
Iron and zinc play crucial roles in the production and maturation of collagen. Phosphorus and calcium are both important in bone structure.
It is important to know that too much phosphorus and too little calcium result in bone loss and contribute to osteoporosis.
5. It helps prevent inflammation
Choline, an important and versatile nutrient that is present in potatoes helps with muscle movement, mood, learning, and memory.
It also assists in:
maintaining the structure of cellular membranes
transmitting nerve impulses
the absorption of fat
early brain development
One large potato contains 57 mg of choline. Adult males need 550 mg, and females 425 mg a day.
6. It promotes healthy skin
The vitamin C in Irish potatoes helps to promote healthy skin.
Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, which helps to keep the skin looking young and healthy.
Collagen is the skin’s support system. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to help prevent damage caused by the sun, pollution, and smoke. Vitamin C also helps collagen smooth wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.
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