The hearty and reliable potato has been an inexpensive and beloved side dish for hundreds of years. Through the centuries, the potato has been transformed into many forms, like fries, chips, tots and mashes. And although many preparations of the spud include excess fat and sodium, the potato on its own is a nutritious and versatile vegetable, reports Natalie Rizzo for Today.com.
Natalie says eating potatoes can improve cardio-metabolic health, help weight management and boost gut health and sports performance. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t shy away from the glorious potato and ways to add it to your diet.
One being that potatoes are best known for their carbohydrate content, which is why some low-carb dieters avoid the root vegetable. But the benefits of eating potatoes should lay your carb fears to rest.
This creamy tuber is a good source of fiber, Natalie points out – which has been linked to a healthy heart. As a matter of fact, a large observational study of over 2,000 people found that those who ate potatoes when combined with higher levels of physical activity and lower red meat intake had a 24 % lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and a 26 % lower risk of having elevated triglycerides.
Even though you may only see a few potato varieties at the store, there are over 200 of them grown in the United States.
Source: TODAY. Read the full story and watch a video on TODAY here
Photo: Credit Robert Owen-Wahl from Pixabay
