Common Fresh Potato, For Cooking, Home, Restaurant, Snacks, Feature : Early Maturing, Healthy

Potatoes are edible tubers, available worldwide and all year long. They are relatively cheap to grow, rich in nutrients, and they can make a delicious treat.

The humble potato has fallen in popularity in recent years, due to the interest in low-carb foods.

However, the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals it provides can help ward off disease and benefit human health.

Potatoes were first domesticated in the Andes in South America up to 10,000 years ago. Spanish explorers introduced them to Europe in the early 16th century.

They are now the biggest vegetable crop in the United States (U.S.), where the average person eats 55 pounds, or 25 kilograms (kg) of potatoes every year. They are an important staple food in many countriesaround the world.

This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods.

Benefits
A high intake of fruits and vegetables can benefit health and reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

Potatoes contain important nutrients, even when cooked, that can benefit human health in various ways.

Here we look at 10 ways in which the potato might contribute to a healthful lifestyle, including preventing osteoporosis, maintaining heart health, and reducing the risk of infection.

• Bone health

• Blood pressure

• Heart health

• Inflammation

• Cancer

• Digestion and regularity

• Weight management and satiety

• Metabolism

• Skin

• Immunity

Storage
Potatoes should be stored between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, in a dark, dry environment, such as a cellar or pantry.

Exposure to sunlight can lead to the formation of solanine, which causes potatoes to turn green. It is toxic. Storing potatoes in the refrigerator causes their starch content to be converted to sugar. This can give an unpleasant flavor.

Potatoes should not be stored around onions because both vegetables emit natural gases that cause the other to decay.

Fully grown potatoes have a shelf life of up to 2 months, but spoiled potatoes can affect the other potatoes around them. Remove rotten potatoes to prevent the rest from spoiling.