Recently, when Ashu was searching the internet for potatoes, he came to know that one person has been growing a potato crop that is black in skin colour.
One such crop is black potato. Ashu had never heard that there is a variant of potato that is black in skin colour.
He asked his mother about it but even she had no clue about black potatoes. Throughout her cooking experience, she has always used yellow starchy potatoes to prepare various Indian recipes.
So, he wanted to get proper information about this variant of potato, how black potatoes are better than regular potatoes, what the black potato health benefits & how black potato farming can be profitable for farmers as well:
What are Black Potatoes?
There are multiple varieties of potatoes available in the market and the most commonly used variety is yellow in the skin colour. But in recent years, a new variety of potatoes is gaining popularity among farmers and consumers which is called “Black Potato”.
Black potatoes are quite different from regular potatoes. Regular potatoes have yellowish or brownish skin with white or yellow flesh. On the other hand, Black potatoes have dark black skin with purplish flesh inside.
Read more about: Fruits & Vegetables
Interesting Fun Fact about Black Potato
The Black potato is also called Shetland Black because of its origin in the Shetland islands during the Victorian era. It is considered a part of British culture due to which it is part of the United Kingdom Ark of Taste.
Due to its purple-coloured flesh, it is also called Purple Fiesta, Purple Peruvian, Purple Majesty and Vitelotte.
5 Black Potato Health Benefits
One of the major reasons, why black potato should be preferred for cooking rather than regular potatoes is due to its several health benefits. Some of these benefits are:
Rich in Nutrients
You should have black potato in your diet because it is loaded with a lot of Nutrients. Compared to its other counterpart which is regular potato, black potatoes have higher nutritional content.
Other than protein, carbs and fiber, it carries other minerals like Manganese, Copper, Iron and Potassium. This makes it a great food that can turn your meal into a balanced diet.
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Due to the presence of Potassium in its nutritional content, black potato can help in regulating blood sugar levels. Low potassium levels can lead to less production of insulin, a hormone that synthesizes sugar.
People with low potassium levels are at risk of having type-2 diabetes. So, black potatoes are helpful in avoiding diabetes by regulating your blood sugar levels.
Controls Blood Pressure
One of the major black potato health benefits is that it can help in controlling blood pressure levels. The high presence of Potassium and Magnesium makes it a great food option for those who want to control their blood pressure levels.
Potassium is associated with removing excessive sodium from the bloodstream. Controlling blood pressure can help in avoiding health conditions like heart attack, brain strokes and even internal blood clotting.
Reduces Risk of Cancer
Studies have shown that black potatoes are helpful in lowering the risk of cancer. This is because of the presence of antioxidants that are effective in the growth of free radicals.
Antioxidants like Anthocyanins can also reduce the oxidative stress from the organs that are the primary reason for cancer cell formation in the human body.
Good for Digestive Health
Dietitians suggest black potatoes to their patients if they are facing gut-related issues. This is because black potatoes are high in fibers. These dietary fibers can help you in preventing constipation, bloating, indigestion and other digestive issues.
When food is rich in fibers then it also provides a boost to the growth of gut bacteria in the intestine. These bacteria are essential for the complete digestion of the food.
Black Potato Farming in India
Black potato is not only a great food for your meal but it is also a great crop option that can help you earn healthy profits than other regular crops.
Ravi Prakash Maurya, 40 an old Indian journalist has gained popularity as the “Black Potato Champion”. He has become an inspiration for farmers throughout India because he has been successfully growing black potatoes for the last 5 years – www.republicworld.com
Due to its rapidly increasing demand among urban dwellers and health enthusiasts, the black potato crop from one acre of land can be sold for up to Rs. 4-5 lakhs. This is just after spending less than one lakh per Acre on harvesting the crop.
3 Easy-To-Make Black Potato Recipes
You can consume Black potatoes in a similar manner by replacing yellow potatoes in any recipe. In India, potatoes are widely used to prepare curries and polao. Here are some easy-to-make black potato recipes that you can prepare at home:
Black Potato Wedges
Similar to potato wedges, this recipe is a perfect snack that you can serve to guests and can be included in your child’s lunchbox option. This dish is mostly served with tomato ketchup but other healthy options like coriander and mint chutney can also be considered.
Black Potato Risotto
Risotto is an Italian rice dish that is a good breakfast treat but you can replace rice with black potato in it to get more nutrients. Not only that you can include it as an exotic dish for your guests and kitty parties.
Creamy Black Potato Salad
If you love to have salad as a side dish for lunch or dinner, then this recipe should be part of your meal. You don’t need extra effort or time to prepare this recipe and you just need some commonly used foods to make it. To get a creamy texture, use mayonnaise and eggs in the making process.
Black Potato Side Effects
There is no doubt that black potatoes carry more health benefits than regular potatoes but there are certain side effects of over-consumption. Some of them are:
Digestion Issues
Yes, eating black potatoes can help you avoid gut-related problems. But you should remember that eating too much of it can worsen your digestion. They are a rich source of Fiber that can lead to diarrhea, nausea and even vomiting.
Interference with Medication
Another reason, why you should not over-consume black potatoes is that they can interfere with your medications. This is especially concerning with the people who are on diabetes and blood pressure medicines.
Solanine Poisoning
Solanine is a natural pesticide that protects the plant from pests and insects. This same compound is present in all variants of potatoes including black potatoes. Too much intake of black potato can lead to solanine poisoning whose symptoms are stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and burning in the throat.
Conclusion
Ashu can now reach on the conclusion that black potatoes are healthier and more nutritious than regular potatoes. Several black potato benefits make it a good option to be included in your meal plan to turn it into a balanced diet.
Some of these health benefits are rich in antioxidants and help in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels. These black potatoes are effective in the prevention of chronic diseases, especially cancer. These potatoes are also popularly called Shetland Black Potato due to its origin in Shetland islands.
Ashu has advised his mother to replace regular starchy yellow potatoes with black ones. But he has advised her against the over-consumption as there are certain black potato side effects that can put health at risk as well.
