Thursday, November 7th, 2024

You are not eating sprouted or green potatoes? Dietician told how many days does it take for potatoes to become poisonous?


Potato is the most commonly eaten vegetable. This is a vegetable available throughout the year. The good thing is that it can be prepared in many ways and is tasty and nutritious. Many nutrients are found in potatoes, which are essential for health. Eating potatoes provides energy, improves digestion and controls BP.

One specialty of potato vegetable is that it is a long lasting vegetable. This is the reason why most people buy several kilos of potatoes at one go. Obviously, potatoes are kept in the kitchen for many days and sometimes sprouts also grow in them. The question is, can we eat sprouted potatoes?

Nutritionist and Dietician Shikha Aggarwal Sharma According to , although sprouted potatoes can be eaten, the amount of toxic elements such as solanine and caconin increases when sprouted, which can be harmful to health.

Sprouted or green potatoes are filled with toxins

According to Shikha, potatoes contain glycoalkaloids. These natural elements are there to protect the plants from pests, but their quantity increases when the potatoes sprout or turn green. When the amount of glycoalkaloids in potatoes exceeds 20 mg per 100 grams of potato, it can be toxic.

Disadvantages of eating sprouted or green potatoes

Disadvantages of eating sprouted or green potatoes

If these elements are consumed in large quantities, they can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps in the body. In severe cases they can cause confusion, hallucinations, and in rare cases, coma or even death. Usually, symptoms start appearing within a few hours.

Up to what amount is safe?

Up to what amount is safe?

The amount of solanine in potatoes depends on the way they are stored. If the potato has become too sprouted, soft, or green, it is better to throw it away. However, lightly sprouted potatoes can be used by cleaning them thoroughly and removing the sprouts.

The right way to eat sprouted or green potatoes

The right way to eat sprouted or green potatoes

Before cooking potatoes, cut off the sprouted parts thoroughly as these contain the most toxic elements. Peel the outer layer of the potato as the toxins are mostly on the surface. Cooking can reduce some of the toxins, but is not completely safe. Fresh, firm potatoes that have small sprouts but are not green can be safe to use.

How to store potatoes

How to store potatoes

Keep potatoes in a cool, dark and ventilated place. Protect from sunlight, as this increases germination.
Use potatoes within a few weeks of purchasing them to reduce the risk of sprouting.
Check potatoes for green color or signs of over-sprouting before using them and if in doubt, discard them.
It is better to use fresh and unsprouted potatoes if possible.

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