Great for making many delicious recipes, potatoes are also a very interesting food from a nutritional point of view. One of the most talked-about theories is that eating raw potatoes is bad for you. Let’s find out more.
Potatoes are rich in nutrients and low in fat. 100 g of raw potatoes contain: 80 kcal, 0.10 g of fat, 15.9 g of carbohydrate, 2.5 g of fibre and 1.89 g of protein (source: Humanitas). The nutrients also include vitamin C, E vitamins, antioxidants, folates, potassium, magnesium and minerals.
Alongside the aforementioned nutrients, potatoes also contain solanine, a toxic glycosidic alkaloid. The quantity of this element varies depending on how ripe the tuber is: the riper it is, the more there will be inside. This is the main reason why potatoes are not eaten when they have sprouts, different colours or textures on the surface.
The increase in substances like solanine (or chaconine) can be counteracted in the first place by storing potatoes properly. In fact, they require a cool, dark, dry place, so it is important to prevent any moisture by using breathable packs.
Substances like solanine – which are potentially harmful for our health if eaten in large quantities – are also partly destroyed through cooking at high temperatures (minimum of 170°C) (source: Humanitas).
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