Since long potatoes have been criticized as fattening and eschewed by people who follow the Dukan and low-carbs diet. But the latest study says eating a portion two times a day may lower blood pressure and it appears that there is no involvement in weight gain.
Potatoes are low in calories than rice or pasta. They are so rich in vitamin C that in nineteenth century sailors used to eat them to fend off scurvy. Daily requirement of the immune system improving vitamin is provided by six ounce of new potatoes. They are also a good source of vitamin B, potassium, magnesium, zinc and copper.
They are low in fat and do not have any cholesterol, the fibre content of potato helps to lower the existing level of cholesterol. A medium size spud has nearly one hundred and ten calories. Several researches have shown potatoes to fattening but these effects are because of the fat in chips not in the potatoes itself.
Researchers say micro waved spuds, without butter, baked potatoes and boiled ones are best for your health. In a trail study eighteen men and women were told to consume six to eight small size potatoes with their lunch and dinner as a part of their regular diet. Most the study participants were obese and on were taking pill to lower blood pressure.
After the duration of one month their blood pressure reading showed significant fall, which suggested that potatoes were strong enough to take over when the pills could not do any more. Additionally none of study participants put on any weight. Potatoes are believed to have a quenching effect but it is also likely that those taking part in the study hold back on other foods
Potatoes should be cooked preferably in the microwave with their skins on as many of the health-improving and blood pressure-lowering chemicals are in the skin. The earlier study has shown that potato contain phyto chemicals analogous to those found in blood pressure drugs. However, potatoes are lack of some key nutrients counting vitamin A, D and E, without which one can go blind.
source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article