What are potatoes good for? Methods of its application in folk medicine, dietetics and cosmetology
The potato is a familiar, a stranger. Why, such a definition? Yes, because we are so used to eating this vegetable that we don't even think about whether it is useful or, on the contrary, harmful to health. We only know - there are a lot of different recipes for potato dishes, it has a low price and absolute availability with excellent taste. This unique vegetable can be grown independently in almost all regions of the country, which saves the family budget. This is, perhaps, all the most common knowledge among us, ordinary people.
So, in order.
- The composition of potatoes, calorie content, the presence of vitamins.
- Under what conditions can potatoes be harmful?
- What are potatoes good for?
- The use of potatoes in dietetics, cosmetology and traditional medicine.
Readrecipe for potato pancakes with photo step by step classic in a pan!
Is potato good or bad?
The widespread belief that potatoes are contraindicated and even harmful to those who tend to be overweight is a myth not supported by reliable research. If there are no individual contraindications, which is extremely rare, this root vegetable can be eaten by everyone, the main thing is to know when to stop and choose a cooking method that uses the minimum amount of fat.
- carbohydrates - 64 kcal;
- proteins (tuberin) - 7 kcal;
- fat - 3 kcal.
Vitamins and minerals - the content of various substances in tubers. Tubers consist of 24% dry matter and 76% water.
Dry matter ratio:
- Fat - 0.2%.
- Carbohydrates: dietary fiber - 1.9%, starch - 17.5%.
- Sugar (sucrose and fructose) - 0.5%;
- Protein - 2%.
In order to preserve the vitamins in the root crop as much as possible and protect them from destruction during heat treatment, you should adhere to the rules:
- When cooking, put the peeled tubers only in boiled, not cold, water. Salt not earlier than 5 minutes before cooking.
- Vitamins are perfectly preserved when potatoes are baked in foil and boiled in their "uniforms".
Vitamins included in the composition: almost the entire group B, as well as C, K. Trace elements: phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium; sodium, potassium, zeaxanthin, choline, selenium.
In addition to the above, potatoes also contain essential amino acids, such as: lysine, arginine, leucine, tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine, acetylcholine, etc.
The conclusion suggests itself - a vegetable so rich in nutrients cannot be harmful to humans. But no, under certain circumstances, ordinary potatoes can become poisonous.
Harm to potatoes or how potatoes can become poisonous
The harm to potatoes can manifest itself only in one case - the tubers have lain for a long time in the light or sun and have acquired a green tint that is uncharacteristic for them. This color of the root crop occurs when solanine is formed in it, which can cause acute poisoning in a person.
Solanine is a poisonous substance, glycoalkaloid, in chemical composition it is very close to steroids. Solanine is found in some quantities throughout the plant: in the stems, leaves and, of course, tubers. The recognized norm of this substance in tubers is no more than 0.05%, with an increase in the indicator, the probability of poisoning is high. To prevent greening of tubers, potato bushes are spud or covered with a thick layer straw.
In order to exclude the likelihood of exposure to solanine on the body, it is better to throw out all green tubers and not eat them. In extreme cases, the green peel should be cut deeply until a healthy, uninfected part of the tuber appears.
Useful properties of potatoes - dietetics, folk and official medicine, home cosmetology
Dietetics
The beneficial properties of potatoes are determined by its rich and rich composition. Products made from this root vegetable (juice, broth, puree, etc.) have a pronounced enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect, they have proven themselves excellent in the treatment of various diseases, including gastrointestinal. Potatoes, paradoxical as it may sound, is highly valued in dietetics, primarily as a source of potassium.
In addition, all kinds of diets are used with a combination of potatoes and:
- kefir;
- cabbage;
- eggs;
- seaweed.
Experts say that each of the diets presented above allows you to get rid of up to 7-8 kg of excess weight in just half a month, without discomfort and metabolic disturbances.
Reference! 0.5 kg of cooked in "uniform" or baked potatoes completely replenishes the body's daily need for potassium.
The medicine
Patients suffering from renal and heart diseases are introduced into the diet of potato dishes - the root vegetable contains a significant amount of potassium, in this regard, it has excellent diuretic properties and, accordingly, prevents the occurrence of edema. The juice from potatoes helps to reduce acidity in the stomach, accelerates scarring and healing of ulcers of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and brings relief from heartburn and nausea. In addition, it has a mild laxative effect, which is extremely important for people suffering from constipation and stomach diseases (gastritis, ulcers).
Starch is widely used as a base for powders, as well as in the manufacture of fillers for tablets and powders. Gruel from grated vegetable is used in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and other skin diseases.
Cosmetology
Is potato good or bad? - This question is not even raised in cosmetology. Definitely a benefit! And confirmation of this is a huge number of all kinds of potato remedies for rejuvenation, moisturizing and treatment of the skin.
This includes masks made from raw and boiled potatoes, both in pure form and with the addition of various substances (honey, lemon juice, herbs, etc.). Decoctions and juice are prepared to soften rough skin and get rid of age spots. Potato gruel is an excellent remedy for combating cracked heels, calluses and calluses.
You can talk about potatoes in a superlative degree indefinitely, this is a truly unique vegetable, it is equally good both for preparing all kinds of dishes and for treating various diseases. In order to get only benefit from it, when using it, you must observe only the measure. And you can get high-quality healthy tubers only by observing the technology of growing potatoes in open garden beds your site