Can you imagine your vegetable basket without potatoes? We bet you can’t. One of the most popular vegetables across the world, it is easily available, affordable and versatile. In fact, it is one of those very few kitchen ingredients that can be used to make quick meals for any kind of hunger pangs. On one hand, it can help you make a complete meal for lunch or dinner, on the other hand, you can use one or two potatoes to prepare French fries, paneer balls and other such snacks. Then there are other uses as well including binding agent for tikkis, cleaning agent for utensils and much more. This is why, you will find people buying and storing potatoes in bulk for whenever they need it. If you do the same, then surely you must have seen potatoes sprouting after a certain time. In other words, you will see tiny white coloured sprouts growing on the potato peel. What do you do then? Most of you will definitely say, we peel the sprouts and the skin and use the potatoes as is. Right? But have you ever wondered if this is a safe way or not. In this article we will discuss in depth whether it is safe to eat sprouted potatoes or not. Read on.
Is it OK to eat sprouted potatoes?
We all know that sprouts help in increasing the nutritional value of any food item. But we often ignore the fact that excessive consumption of anything can be harmful for health. This is also true in the case of potatoes.
According to a study published in the journal Advances in Potato Chemistry and Technology, potatoes contain two glycoalkaloid compounds called solanine and chaconine, which provide health benefits such as controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels when consumed in small amounts. But, when taken in excessive amounts, such as in sprouted potatoes, these compounds can have a negative impact on your health.
“Eating sprouted potatoes can be a health risk as they contain toxic compounds called glycoalkaloids. Although glycoalkaloids are present throughout the plant, the green parts of the potato, the sprouts and the eyes have very high levels of these toxins,” Ayurvedic expert Dr Varalakshmi Yanamandra said in an Instagram post.
Also read: How to Stop Potatoes From Sprouting – Pro Tips and Tricks
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What are the major side effects of eating sprouted potatoes?
Dr Varalakshmi also spoke about some of the major side effects of eating sprouted potatoes. Read them here.
1. It becomes toxic:
Glycoalkaloids are toxic to humans and can cause gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Symptoms of glycoalkaloid poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and in more severe cases, coma and even death. Such extreme reactions are rare, however.
2. The taste becomes bitter:
Increased levels of glycoalkaloids can cause potatoes to taste bitter, making them unpleasant to eat.
3. Nutritional value decreases:
The sprouting process uses up stored nutrients in potatoes, potentially reducing their nutritional value.
Can you remove the toxicity from sprouted potatoes?
Typically, glycoalkaloids are concentrated in the leaves, eyes and sprouts of potatoes. Removing those parts and peeling the skin can help reduce the risk of poisoning. However, Dr. Varalakshmi says she “wouldn’t personally recommend it”. Instead, sprouted potatoes should be discarded altogether and fresh potatoes should be consumed.
Also read: 5 unique ways you can use potatoes in everyday life. Number 3 will surprise you
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How to keep potatoes fresh and sprout-free for a long time?
We agree that buying potatoes in bulk is always a good option for any kind of kitchen. Hence, it is important to take special care while storing the vegetable to prevent it from sprouting. The best way to do this is by keeping it in a cool, dark and dry place. But always remember, avoid storing potatoes in the fridge, as cold temperatures can increase the sugar levels in the vegetable, which can affect its taste and texture when cooked. Click here for more tips on storing potatoes properly.
Bonus Tip: We have also listed some tips that you should follow when you go shopping for potatoes. Check them out here.