The Irish potato is just one of thousands of varieties of potato, and it didn’t originate in Ireland. Native to the South American Andes region, people only called these tubers “Irish” after the Great Famine in Ireland.
This time of starvation lasted from 1845 to 1849. It happened because a potato disease destroyed the crops for several years. Irish potato nutrition facts
But there is no such shortage now, and eating Irish potatoes can provide a lot of nutrition at an affordable price. Irish potatoes are fantastic eaten steamed, baked, or boiled. They don’t have the best texture for mashing but fit seamlessly into lots of other recipes.
We’ve collected five more compelling reasons to make Irish potatoes part of your daily diet.
Table of Contents
1. Balanced Mood
Sometimes white potatoes are avoided because their insides look a lot like the refined carbs we are supposed to avoid. Potatoes lack refined starch because processors do not process them. They provide a healthy amount of fiber and many nutrients.
Irish potatoes are so chock-full of B vitamins that eating them can help to balance your mood. Vitamin B6 in particular plays a part in producing adrenaline, which helps to regulate our body’s response to stress. Also linked to GABA, a chemical that supports relaxation, are the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine.
A lack of B vitamins can lead to depression. Eating Irish potatoes daily is a good way to get enough. This can help you avoid mood swings, even during tough times.
2. Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that can lead to heart attack or stroke if not controlled. But it’s also mostly Without symptoms, which has led people to dub it the “silent killer.” Hypertension can have many causes. These include too much stress, plaque buildup in the arteries, and eating too much salt.
Potatoes can help with all hypertension triggers. They are a great source of potassium, which helps to neutralize the effects of sodium in the system.
They also contain plenty of healthy fiber to lower cholesterol and block plaque buildup in the arteries. And as we’ve already mentioned, B vitamins are excellent for reducing stress. Irish potato nutrition facts
3. Heart Health
What’s good for the bloodstream is good for the heart, as your heart is the pump that moves blood throughout the body. When the heart has to work too hard to move blood, it becomes overtaxed and your risk of a heart attack increases.
Irish potatoes are good for your heart. They help lower blood pressure. They also have Protective compound called carotenoids.
These Protective compound help reduce inflammation in the body. Because of this, they may lower the risk of heart disease.
4. Cancer Prevention
Healthy plant compounds are essential for human health. They attach to free radicals in the body. This helps neutralize them before they can harm cells. Irish potatoes contain several different types, including vitamin C, flavonoids, phenols, anthocyanin compounds, and carotenoids.
A healthy intake of Healthy plant compounds can lower cancer risk. This is because they help prevent damage that makes the body more prone to disease. Damage to cells impacts DNA, which then leaves those cells vulnerable to cancer.
We cannot completely avoid free radicals because they come from breathing oxygen. So, it is important to eat enough Healthy plant compounds. Irish potatoes are a tasty way to cover that base.
5. Better Digestion
And finally, let’s talk digestion. Fiber is a huge part of healthy digestion because it adds bulk to stool and makes it easier to pass. The body does not digest fiber directly, but fiber helps digestion. It moves waste through the body more easily.
Regular solid bowel movements assure us that our bodies are digesting food properly. Being regular also means less gas and bloating daily. That leads to greater overall comfort and a lower chance of an embarrassing eruption at the worst time. Social Embarrassment aside, eating plenty of fiber lowers your risk of colon cancer, too.
Potatoes deserve another look like a dietary staple and not just an occasional treat. Honestly, preparation is everything. Avoid French fries and potato chips and you’re golden.
For the optimal nutritional benefit, leave the skins on. That’s where you can find a lot of the B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber.
Because potatoes are quite starchy, a good serving size is one cup. Irish potatoes are on the smaller side, so portion control is easy.Irish potato nutrition facts.
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