Without doubt, purple potatoes are considered the gem at the potato aisle. Like many other of its relatives, they’re native to the Andes Mountains in South America.
Their outer skin is blue-purple to almost black. And, the inside flesh has an impressive purple color, even after it’s cooked.
Some of the most popular varieties are Purple Majesty, Purple Peruvian, Congo, All Blue, and Purple Fiesta. Their texture is denser and a bit nuttier while their flavour is earthier than that of yellow potatoes.
They’re a delicious way to add some color to your dishes and reap their amazing health advantages.
Below, check out 5 ways your health improves when you consume these potatoes!
5 Great Benefits of Purple Potatoes
- High in nutrients
Purple potatoes have nutrients similar to those in other types of potatoes from the Solanum tuberosum family; however, their mineral content may vary and depend on the soil in which they were grown.
And, not all of its nutrients are in its skin-half of them are inside, in the flesh.
By eating 100 grams of purple potatoes, you supply your body with copper, manganese, protein, fiber, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium.
- Abundant in antioxidants
Same as other veggies and fruits of color, purple potatoes’ strong color is a sign that they’re abundant in antioxidants.
And, they actually have two to three times more antioxidants than yellow or white potatoes.
Antioxidants are compounds present in plants that can help keep our cells safe from oxidative stress.
These potatoes are particularly rich in polyphenol antioxidants known as anthocyanins, the ones also present in blackberries and blueberries.
- May lower our risk of cancer
Several lab studies indicate that some of the compounds these potatoes have may be of aid in preventing cancer, including breast and colon.
In fact, one study showed that the cancerous cells that were treated using extract from purple potatoes grew slower.
And, in some instances, they even led to death of cancerous cells.
- Balance the blood pressure
Consuming purple potatoes regularly may be of aid in improving the health of the blood vessels.
This may be achieved thanks to their abundance in potassium-a nutrient known to lower blood pressure.
Their antioxidant content also plays a crucial role. In fact, a small one-month study done with hypertensive individuals concluded that consuming 6 to 8 purple potatoes twice per day helped lower both their systolic and diastolic pressure.
There’s some data suggesting that when compared to white potatoes, eating purple ones may help make the arteries less stiff.
Stiffer arteries put us at the higher risk of strokes and heart attacks.
- Improves the blood sugar levels
Purple potatoes’ GI is 77 and foods with a GI higher than 70 are considered blood sugar-raising.
But, though all types of potatoes influence our blood sugar because of the carbs, purple potatoes may be less effective in doing so because they’re rich in polyphenols.
These compounds are praised for their ability to lower the starch absorption in our intestines and thus, decrease their overall influence on our blood.
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