Purple potatoes are appearing more and more often on store shelves. However, apart from the unique - as for potatoes - color, do they have any he alth properties and nutritional values? It turns out that thanks to the purple color, these potatoes have more properties than ordinary potatoes. Check the he alth effects of purple potatoes, where to buy purple potatoes and their price.

Purple potatoesare appearing more and more often on store shelves. However, apart from the unique - as for potatoes - color, do they have anypropertieshe alth andnutritional values ​​ ? It turns out that thanks to the purple color, truffle potatoes have more properties than ordinary potatoes. They get this color thanks to anthocyanins - natural dyes that have healing properties. Unlike other purple vegetables, truffle potatoes have a purple skin and center. Thanks to this, after peeling them from the skin (which is necessary because it is very hard), there is no loss of nutritional value. The most famous is the French variety of blue-purple potatoes - Vitelotte, also called Vitelotte noire, Negresse, Chinese truffles or truffle potatoes. This old variety, actually native to Chile and Peru, has been cultivated in France for many years, especially in the Picardy area, an area in the northern part of the country on the English Channel. The prefix in the name Vitelotte - "vit" - in Old French means penis, probably by analogy to the shape of the tuber. Vitelotte potatoes are characterized by an elongated, elongated shape, occasionally separated by small furrows.

Purple potatoes can protect against colon cancer and more

Anthocyanins are natural pigments that, depending on the pH of the cell juice of vegetables or fruits, can vary in color from red to purple. Studies have shown that anthocyanins have anti-cancer properties. The authors of the works unanimously confirmed the multidirectional anti-carcinogenic effect 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 cell proliferation.neoplastic .¹

Violet potatoes are mainly grown in Chile and Peru. It is not easy because they grow on small bushes.

Research has shown that thanks to this, purple potatoes can prevent the development of, among others, colorectal cancer, researchers at Pennsylvania State University argue. The same study found that the substances contained in purple potatoes can reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel disease by up to six times.³

Studies also show that purple potatoes have anti-inflammatory properties and a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system due to the high content of anthocyanins. This type of potato also has alpha-solanine, which also reduces inflammation in our body.

A rich source of anthocyanins are many fruits and vegetables, which include berries (blueberries, chokeberry, black currants, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries) and grapes, and some vegetables such as purple carrots, purple corn, red cabbage, red potatoes, red radish and others.

Worth knowing

Purple potatoes - where to buy? What's the price?

You can buy purple potatoes in online stores and supermarkets. Their prices range from PLN 6 (on sale) to PLN 12 for 500-600 g. They are available in stores from October.

Purple Potatoes May Lower Blood Pressure

The purple variety of potatoes is also rich in potassium - they have more potassium than other types of potatoes. 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. Additionally, purple potatoes are rich in carotenoids and phenolic acid, which also lower blood pressure.

Purple potatoes also contain fiber, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.

It has been scientifically shown that purple potatoes can lower blood pressure. Such conclusions were reached by scientists from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania .² In their 4-week study, only 18 people with obesity or overweight and hypertension took part in the study, divided into two groups. The first one consumed six to eight small skinned purple potatoes daily (at lunch or dinner). The other one, on the other hand, did not have potatoes in her diet. The participants of the study showed a reduction in blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, by 3.5 and 4.3%, respectively. In addition, no person gained weight.

Purple potatoes also have a lot of fiber and exogenous amino acids, i.e. amino acids that the body cannotcreate.

Purple potatoes - use in the kitchen

Purple potatoes have small tubers and a buttery, creamy taste - somewhat reminiscent of nuts. However, their skin is thick. How to eat purple potatoes? Exactly the same as traditional varieties. The use of purple potatoes includes:

  • pure
  • potato chips
  • potato slices
  • salads
  • as an addition to meat, fish (form according to the Chef's creation)
  • fries
  • like regular cooking potatoes

It's good to know that purple potatoes have a hard skin and the eyes are deeply embedded in the skin. When peeling, you need to make a little effort to remove them thoroughly.

Purple potatoes should be stored in the conditions of 6-8 degrees C.

Worth knowing

Anthocyanins are among the unstable pigments. They are particularly sensitive to long processing times at high temperatures. Their amount also significantly decreases under the influence of oxygen, therefore it is worth limiting its access when storing and processing vegetables and fruit. On the other hand, anthocyanins perform well at low temperatures. Therefore, they remain in large amounts in frozen foods. The stability of anthocyanins is also higher in acidic environments.

Bibliography:

1. Olejnik A., Tomczyk J., Kowalska K., Grajek W., Anthocyanins in chemoprevention of colon cancer, "Postępy Phytoterapii" 2009, No. 3

2. Purple potatoes may help lower blood pressure, www.nbcnews.com/id/44345789/ns/he alth-diet_and_nutrition/t/potatoes-may-help-lower-blood-pressure-purple-ones/.WdNtQriremw

3. Purple potatoes may slash risk of colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases, study finds, www.dailymail.co.uk/he alth/article-4910362/Purple-potatoes-slash-risk-colon-cancer-IBD.html

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