Are Potatoes Bad For You?
Short answer
Potatoes are far from bad for you. Anyone who is health conscious should certainly add potatoes to the list of things that are great to consume.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Potatoes are the number one vegetable crop in the United States and the fourth most consumed crop around the world. The popularity of the potato is certainly under no dispute - but what about its effects on your health? Well, it turns out that potatoes (and we are not talking French fries) are actually extremely good for you. Forget the butter and sour cream (additions like that can quickly turn potatoes into an unhealthy snack) - we're taking a look at the potato itself.
Potatoes are high in many nutrients that provide various benefits. To begin with, they are great for your heart for many reasons. One reason is that potatoes help naturally lower blood pressure via kukoamines and potassium. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in methylation, which (among its many other duties) is responsible for converting homocysteine (high levels of which indicate heart disease) into other substances that are not harmful. Fiber, of which 15% can be found in one cup, helps lower cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of plaque formation in the arteries. Potatoes also contain over 20% vitamin C per cup, an important vitamin which aside from boosting the immune system, acts as an antioxidant to fight free radicals that may contribute to heart disease and cancer development.
The high amount of fiber found in potatoes is not only good for the heart - it helps keep the digestive system in good working order as well. As if this wasn't enough to show that potatoes are good for you, there's more. Vitamin B6 has benefits beyond methylation, as it is also important for cell formation, the creation of amines, converting food into energy, and helping the body metabolize fats and proteins.
There must be a catch, right? Certainly, potatoes will make you gain weight, won't they? As it turns out, it's not likely. One medium potato only has approximately 110 calories, no fat, no cholesterol and only a gram of sugar, while containing a fair amount of protein. The weight gain associated with potatoes comes from adding things like butter and sour cream, or deep frying them in oil. By themselves, potatoes certainly deserve mentioning as a super food.
Possible short-term side effects
- gas
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bloating
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blood sugar spike
Benefits
- boosts immune system
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decreases risk of heart disease
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decreases risk of cancer
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decreases blood pressure
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lowers cholesterol levels
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helps convert homocysteine
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helps neurotransmitter formation
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aid in cell formation
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promotes a healthy digestive system
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promotes a healthy metabolism
very satiating (promotes weight loss)
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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