Potato health benefits

May 13, 2015 Posted by David Linton

Producing potatoes at our eco-friendly farming facility in the Lancashire countryside gives us all a sense of pride in supplying such a healthy food source in large quantities.

Whether our processed potatoes go on to become chips, mash, an ingredient in soup or a jacket potato, as long they’re not smothered in butter, bacon or an assortment of dips, they’re always going to provide health benefits. Four key ones we’ve listed here:

Bone health

We all know about the impact calcium as on helping to make bones strong, but that isn’t the only mineral at work in potatoes that contribute to the building and maintenance of bone structure and strength.

Iron, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc are also found in potatoes and have a role to play in ensuring healthy bone mineralisation with the former and latter helping to produce collagen – a substance in the body that holds everything together.

Brain functioning

Potatoes are a great source of Vitamin B6 which is crucial in maintaining neurological health by creating useful brain chemicals that can often have a positive effect on those suffering from conditions such as depression and stress.

The high level of carbohydrates found in potatoes also helps maintain good levels of glucose in the blood which is necessary for proper brain functioning. And the good source of potassium works to widen the blood vessels so the brain always has enough blood being pumped to and around it.

Blood pressure

As we saw in the last point, the potassium contained in potatoes helps widen blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely and ultimately lower blood pressure. A potato actually contains more potassium than a banana and is found in the skin along with a good source of fibre.

The fibre in potatoes helps lower cholesterol which in turn keeps blood pressure steady and is one of the many reasons, along with Vitamins B6 and C preventing the build-up up of harmful compounds, why potatoes reduce the risk of heart disease.

Skin health

In its role in holding everything together within the body, collagen is also the skin’s main support system and relies on Vitamin C as an essential nutrient that works inside our bodies as an antioxidant, preventing damage caused by the sun, pollution and smoke.

The traces of Vitamin C found in potatoes also pushes collagen’s ability to smooth wrinkles and improve the overall texture of skin. Whoever thought that potatoes could aid that youthful appearance?

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