Purple potatoes are increasingly appearing on store shelves. However, do they have any health and nutritional values apart from the unique colour? It turns out that thanks to the purple colour these potatoes have more properties than ordinary white or yellow ones. Check what health effects purple potatoes have, where to buy purple potatoes and what is their price.
What's the thing with those potatoes?
Purple potatoes are increasingly appearing on store shelves. However, do they have any health and nutritional values apart from the unique colour - for potatoes? It turns out that thanks to the purple colour, truffle potatoes have more properties than ordinary potatoes. They get this colour thanks to anthocyanins - natural dyes that have healing properties. Unlike other purple vegetables, truffle potatoes have not only purple skin but also they are purple inside. Thanks to this, after peeling them from the skin (which is necessary because it is very hard and time-consuming), there is no loss of nutritional value.
Purple potatoes can protect against colon cancer and more
Anthocyanins are natural dyes, which, depending on the pH of the cell juice of vegetables or fruits, can take a colour from red to purple. Studies have shown that anthocyanins have anti-cancer properties. The authors of the work unanimously confirmed the multidirectional anti-carcinogenic activity of anthocyanins consisting primarily in the direct neutralization of reactive oxygen species, increasing the ability of cells to absorb oxygen free radicals, inhibiting mutations in cell DNA and inhibiting the proliferation (multiplication) of cancer cells.
Purple potatoes are grown mainly in Chile and Peru. It is not easy because they grow on small bushes. Studies have shown that thanks to this, purple potatoes can prevent the development of, among others colorectal cancer - argue researchers from Pennsylvania State University. The same study showed that substances contained in purple potatoes can reduce the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease by six times.
Research also indicates that due to the high anthocyanin content, purple potatoes have anti-inflammatory effects and a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. This type of potato also has alpha-solanine, which also reduces inflammation in our body.
A rich source of anthocyanins is many fruits and vegetables, which include berry fruit (blueberry, chokeberry, black currant, blackberry, cranberry, raspberry) and grapes, and some vegetables, such as purple carrots, purple corn, red cabbage, red potatoes, red radish and other.
Purple potatoes - where to buy? What is the price?
Purple potatoes can be bought in online stores and supermarkets. Their price ranges 2 to 5$ for 500-600 grams package of them. They are available in stores from October.
Purple potatoes can lower blood pressure
The purple potato variety is also rich in potassium - they have more than other types of potato. Unfortunately, cooking reduces the amount of potassium. However, when baking and cooking in a small amount of water, as well as drying, the loss of this mineral is much less. In addition, purple potatoes are rich in carotenoids and phenolic acid, which also reduce pressure.
Purple potatoes also contain fibre, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C as well as potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.
It has been scientifically proven that purple potatoes can lower blood pressure. Researchers from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have come to such conclusions. The first consumed six to eight small purple peeled potatoes daily (at lunch or dinner). The other one did not have potatoes in her diet. Participants in the study had a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 3.5 and 4.3 per cent, respectively. In addition, no person gained any weight.Purple potatoes also have a lot of fibre and exogenous amino acids, i.e. amino acids that the body cannot produce.
Purple potatoes – how to use them in kitchen?
Purple potatoes have small tubers and a buttery, creamy taste - slightly reminiscent of nuts. However, their skin is thick. How to eat purple potatoes? Exactly the same as traditional varieties!
It is worth knowing that purple potatoes have hard skin and the eyes are deeply embedded in the skin. During peeling, you need to make a lot of effort to remove them even thoroughly.
Storage
Anthocyanins are labile dyes. They are particularly sensitive to long processing times at high temperatures. Their amount also significantly decreases under the influence of oxygen, so during storage and processing of vegetables and fruits it is worth limiting its access. In contrast, anthocyanins behave well at low temperatures. They remain in large quantities in frozen food. Anthocyanin stability is also higher in acidic environments.
