Properties and BenefitsPotato SkinPotato
PotatoesAfter wheat, rice, andcornone of the most consumedfoodsaround the world. Potatoes are widely accepted by people of all ages across different countries.PotatoPotatoStarchis part of many delicious foods. Almost all the time when cooking potatoes, the peel is thrown away. The potato skin not only protects the nutrients within the potato but also offers a variety of beneficial nutrients for us.
By peeling potatoes, we lose these nutrients. Our motto for this article is “Skin for Recovery.” While we share the benefits of potatoes with you, you may start using the nutrients found in potato skin. We are confident that once you understand the idea of “skin for recovery,” you’ll want to “add potato skins to your meals.”
ContainsPotassium:
One of the benefits of eating potato skin is increased potassium intake. Potassium helps your body carry out chemical reactions, including metabolism, and helps your cells convert energy from the food you eat into usable energy.
Potassium also plays a role in the electrical impulses transmitted from your nervous system and helps your muscles facilitate movement. According to a research institution, a serving of four potato skins contains 628 mg of potassium or 13% of your recommended daily potassium intake.
Source of Iron:
Potato peel also provides iron, another essential mineral. The primary function of iron is to support the function of red blood cells. These cells contain large amounts of hemoglobin, which binds oxygen from the air you breathe and then carries that oxygen throughout your body. Iron is a key component of every hemoglobin molecule and is essential for oxygen binding and transport.
According to a research institution, consuming four potato skins increases your iron absorption by 5 mg, which meets approximately 61% of the recommended amount for women over 51 years old or for men of any age, or about 27% for women 50 years old or younger.
Rich in Niacin:
Eating potato skin provides a source of niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, which is beneficial for your health. Niacin, like potassium, helps your cells convert nutrients into usable energy.
It also plays a role in cell communication and the development of new cells, helping your cells recover fromphysiological stress.According to a research institution, men should consume 16 mg of niacin daily, while women need 14 mg. Eating four potato skins increases your niacin intake by about 1.6 mg.
Skin Care:
Potato peel is an excellent solution for whitening the skin, reducing dark circles, controlling excess oil, and treating acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Blend potato peels andapply potato waterusing a cotton ball on the affected area.
Hair Treatment:
Potato skin can add shine to your hair and promote quicker growth. Blend potato peels and apply the juice to your scalp, massaging for 5 minutesand then let it sit for another 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.Treating Sunburn:
Potatoes are excellent for treating sunburned skin. All you need to do is place cool potato peel slices on the affected areas. Alternatively, you can simply strainpotato water.Brightening the Skin:
We have often stated in the health section ofSelMagzthat potato is a skin brightener. Apply a mask of grated raw potato to your face and wash it off after 30 minutes. Regularly using this method will make your face smooth, clear, and bright, while also reducing facial swelling.
You can also apply a mixture of lemon juice and potato for brighter skin. This acts as a gentle whitener and brightener for your skin, leaving quick results.
Blood Sugar Control:Since potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, they are classified as starchy vegetables. The complex carbohydrates found in peeled potatoes break down easily into simple sugars compared to those found inwhole grains,
beans,
and other vegetables. This can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. On the other hand, eating potato skins gives you added fiber and helps control blood sugar levels. When digested food stays in your stomach longer, it slows down the rate at which simple sugars enter your bloodstream.Hair Care:Potato skin can help you enhance the shine of your hair and promote faster growth. Blend potato peels and apply the juice to your scalp, massaging for 5 minutes. Let it sit for another 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Washing and Polishing Dishes:If you want to remove stains, use the moist underside of potato peel to wipe; your silverware will sparkle again. The acids in potato water not only remove stains but can also dissolve rust.Helpful forWeight Loss:We all know that potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, which play a key role in improving your weight. However, potato skins contain minimal fat, cholesterol, and sodium. This is why potato skins can be an interesting part of your weight loss diet.
Boosting Immunity:Potato skin acts as a powerful source of
vitamin C
and serves as a strong antioxidant. Additionally, potato skin contains complex vitamin B and calcium, which are essential components of a healthy defense system and enhance immune function.
Protecting the Body Against Cancer:
Potato skin is rich in phytochemicals that have a powerful antioxidant activity. Additionally, it contains high amounts of chlorogenic acid, which reacts with carcinogenic substances (cancer-causing compounds) and thus protects the body against cancer.Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease:Since potato skins are rich in potassium, which is an important and essential mineral, consuming them can reduce the risk of
heart attacks
and
strokes.Potassium plays a crucial role in loweringblood pressure
and maintaining a healthy heart. Another beneficial nutrient for the heart found in potato skins is omega-3 fatty acids.
Helpful for Skin Burns:
One simple and effective remedy for treating skin burns is potato skin. Besides acting as a strong antibacterial agent, it moisturizes the skin and works better than regular bandages for minor burns.
Changing Natural Hair Color:Many people are unaware of the amazing property of potato skin to conceal gray hair. The skin contains numerous essential nutrients that help provide a natural appearance and color to your hair.Removing Dark Skin Spots:Potato skin contains antibacterial, phenolic, and antioxidant compounds that offer a mild whitening effect. All you need to do is rub freshly peeled potato skin on dark spots, including dark circles and sunburns. Do this regularly to take advantage of its skin-lightening properties.Reducing Bad Cholesterol:This substance is rich in fiber, antioxidants, glycoalkaloids, and polyphenols, which help reduce the impact of cholesterol in the body. To gain these benefits, one should consume potatoes without fat in their diet.Boosting Body Energy:Potato skin provides the energy needed for the body. It contains essential elements like niacin and vitamin B3, which enhance body energy. Niacin converts carbohydrates into energy. For this reason, people who consume a lot of potatoes have high energy levels.Treating
Anemia:
Potato skin helps prevent blood shortages, such as anemia. Consuming potato skin ensures a high iron intake. The iron found in potato skin helps maintain stable blood levels.
Natural Compost:
Add more food sources for your indoor plants and garden. Since potato skin has greater nutritional value than the potato itself, enrich your plants and feed the soil with potato peel.
Making Potato Water:
Use clean potato skins to make beneficial potato water. Boil the potato skins in water, then let it cool. For more potato water, you should boil more potato skins. You can easily freeze potato water for later use. You can also soak your silverware in potato water for up to an hour to remove dirt, grime, or rust.
Reducing Kidney Stone Issues:
While no studies have been reported on using potato skin to treat kidney stones, it is believed that potato skin infusion can help eliminate kidney stones from the body. This knowledge is still in the realm of alternative traditional medicine.
Balancing Electrolytes:
Potatoes and their skin are great sources of potassium. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining electrolyte balance in the body and regulating metabolism and other bodily functions. In cases where electrolyte balance and bodily fluids are disrupted, such as during diarrhea, potato broth is helpful.
Potato broth after fasting is considered a nutritious drink.The Antioxidant Ability of Potato Skin:In the section on gardening and plant cultivation in the lifestyle section of SelMagz, we mentioned that the polyphenols and nutrients found in potato skin are a natural source of antioxidants and protect the cells of the body from oxidative stress damage.
Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Properties:
Recent research shows that potato skin has the ability to heal wounds. Cooked potato skin is often used as a cheap wound dressing for burns.
Helping Digestion:
Your digestive system loves foods that provide dietary fiber. About 50% or more of potato skin is made up of dietary fibers. Dietary fibers help slow down the absorption of nutrients in the stomach and help you feel full. The fibers in potato skin aid in bowel movement and relieve
constipation.
They prevent the absorption of toxins and bad cholesterol in the intestines, thus having a detoxifying effect on the body. These protective dietary fibers reduce the risk ofstomach and intestinal cancer.Be Cautious with Potato Skin Usage:
Many people refrain from using potato skins due to the presence of the chemical anti-nutrient solanine in potato skin. Solanine is a toxic glycoalkaloid and often occurs in significant amounts in the green parts of the skin. While solanine is excreted from our bodies, it can cause gastrointestinal and neurological side effects. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using the green parts of potatoes.
Likewise, if potatoes have sprouted, the sprouted area should be removed. Potato farming often involves pesticides. Residues of these pesticides may remain on the skin. It is advised to thoroughly wash potatoes before using potato skin, or alternatively, prefer organic potatoes.
Potato SkinPotassium in Potato SkinSkin CarePotato Skin for SkinBright Skin
Properties of Potato Skin for the Face
Uses of Potato Skin
Benefits of Potato Skin for Dishes
Potato Skin
Potato Skin for Cancer Prevention
Natural Hair ColorUses of Potato Skin for HairHigh EnergyPotato Skin for High EnergyKidney Stone Issues
Potato Skin Properties for Kidney Health
Potato
All Properties of Using Potato Skin
