Are Potatoes Good For High Cholesterol?

Potatoes are eaten in almost every corner of the world. They are added to wide range of cuisine and are used to make savory, spicy and even sweet dishes. The utility of a potato is such that it is even fermented to make Vodka; an alcoholic drink which originated in Russia.

While potatoes are widely popular; many people wonder about the nutritional benefits of potatoes. One common query is “are potatoes good for high cholesterol?” and in spite of the fact that potatoes are often associated with extra calories and fats; they are in fact good for high cholesterol. The impact potatoes have on high cholesterol can be largely accredited to the fiber content of potatoes. The fiber content of potatoes is largely limited to the skin of this vegetable.

Yes, potatoes are good for high cholesterol…..and here’s why

We often hear health experts and nutritionists harping on the importance of a fiber rich diet. It is common knowledge that a fiber rich diet is great for the digestive system; however, very few know that these benefits extend to cardiac health, brain health and circulatory system health. These connections may seem strange to some; however, fiber benefits all these different organ groups in the body by reducing cholesterol levels; specifically LDL or bad cholesterol levels. As mentioned before; potatoes are a rich source of dietary fibers and as such; they can have multiple potential benefits for those afflicted by high cholesterol levels.

Eating potatoes greatly reduces LDL levels. LDL or what is commonly known as bad cholesterol is the culprit behind clogging of the arteries and plaque, clogged arteries means stiff arteries that do not support adequate blood flow to different parts of the body. Clogged arteries also result in reduced blood flow from the heart which has an adverse impact on cardiac health. The plaque buildup in arteries can even break off and be transported by blood flow to the brain which can lead to strokes. Hence; it is easy to see how eating potatoes can combat many of the adverse impacts of high cholesterol by supplying the body with fibers that combat LDL.

It must be noted that only 25% of the body’s cholesterol content comes from dietary sources. The rest is produced by the liver. The liver secretes bile that is high in cholesterol content. The fibers in potatoes bind the cholesterol to the bile; preventing bad cholesterol from causing damage such as clogged arteries, heart disease, which is byproduct of clogged arteries and stroke which is caused by the plaque buildup in clogged arteries. It is easy to see that eating potatoes is definitely beneficial for those afflicted by high cholesterol levels.

When you wish to get the most nutritional benefits out of potatoes; you need to cook potatoes in the correct manner. As mentioned before; all the nutrients, vitamins and fiber are concentrated in the skin of the potato. Hence; potatoes are best cooked with the skin on to get extra dietary fiber that can negate the effects of bad cholesterol.

Potatoes often get a bad reputation for being a fatty junk food, which is primarily because popular junk foods like French fries and spicy potato preparations are often cooked in oils and trans-fats. This negates the nutritional benefits of potatoes. Potatoes are best eaten boiled or baked with less salt with no additives, such as butter or cream cheese for taste. Appropriately cooked potatoes can definitely be good for high cholesterol; whereas potatoes in their junk food avatar only serve to make you ill and obese.

In conclusion; this article will definitely bust myths about potato consumption and encourage individuals who are on healthy cholesterol control diets to eat even more potatoes. In a roundabout way; potatoes can prove to be the most inexpensive supplement for cardiac and brain health.

Also Read:

• Ways to Reduce LDL Cholesterol and Prevent Its Buildup?
• 50 Foods to Control Cholesterol Naturally
• Eggs and Cholesterol: Do Eggs Raise Cholesterol Levels?
• Does Fish Oil Lower Cholesterol?
• Yoga Poses for Treating High Cholesterol
• Types of Cholesterol, Its Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Hypolipidemics Drugs
• Cholesterol Basics & Ways to Control High Cholesterol