Potatoes and your health
This is article reports on the importance of including potatoes in meals because they contain several nutrients. In addition, the nutritionist advises the people on the importance of incorporating other sources of food into their meals (Jegtvig par.1-3). I believe it is a valid source of information based on the fact that potatoes as a source of food are important for one’s health since they contain vitamins C and B6, potassium, fibers and phytochemicals, which assist one to maintain normal blood pressure. In addition, potatoes contain very low calories. One potato which is medium-sized consists of 45 percent of Vitamin C and more potassium of approximately 620 mg when compared with broccoli, bananas or spinach. Therefore, eating potatoes daily in a meal is healthy since the 45 percent of Vitamin C in it, contributes to the entire daily requirements. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as a steadying, antioxidant, or eradicating free radicals, hence, assisting to preclude cellular impairment. In addition, the vitamin C in the potatoes helps in collagen generation, a procedure that aids to sustain salubrious gums and is significant in healing wounds.
Similarly, potatoes contain the most concentrated levels of potassium which is more than the foods which are known to contain higher amounts of potassium like mushrooms, bananas or oranges. Foods like potatoes which are rich in potassium and contain less sodium are significant in reducing the risk of stroke and hypertension. Therefore, with their high level of potassium, potatoes play a great role in heart healthy diet. However, one should include other sources of food in order to balance the diet.
Moreover, potatoes are rich in vitamin B6 which is water soluble. Vitamin B6 functions properly in protein and carbohydrates metabolism. In addition, it assists the body in making the nonessential amino acids which are required to create several body proteins. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for various enzymes required in energy metabolism; also needed for the hemoglobin synthesis which is a significant element of the RBC (red blood cells). Therefore, potatoes are very healthy when incorporated in a meal and they contain several other components of nutrients.
The Great Irish Potato Famine
The second article reports on how individual can be healthy when they eat potatoes all throughout their lifetime especially in the dry areas (Professor’s house par. 1-4). I believe this source of information is questionable because for people to be healthy, they need to eat food which is balanced rather than depending on one type of food. In addition, for one to be healthy there is need to engage into exercises like jogging among others. Therefore, eating potatoes alone is not enough to help an individual to be healthy. Potatoes are known to generate various nutrients. Unlike any other source of diet, potatoes contain several vitamins which are needed by the body. Some individuals believe that potatoes do not contain any calories and thus, eating large amount does not contribute to addition of weight but rather they improve the quality of health. In addition, some people advise individuals who live in harsh environment that eating potatoes is enough to prevent them from the occurrence of diseases because they contain vitamin C and vitamin B6. This is a fallacy because depending on one source of food like potatoes is very dangerous. Although potatoes contain vitamins, fibers, potassium and low calories, there is need to combine with other sources of food which is known to contain high amount of the nutrients that are found in the potatoes like fruits, spinach, cabbages among other sources. When individuals entirely eat potatoes alone, they are likely, to acquire nutritional related diseases because of failure to balance their diets.
Works Cited
Jegtvig, Sheren. Potatoes and your health. Nutrition Blog. 2010. Web.
Professor’s house. The Great irish potato famine. Cooking advice. 2007. Web.