Purple Potato Health Benefits
Purple Potato Health Benefits
Purple potatoes come in several varieties: Purple Peruvian, Purple Majesty, All Blue, Congo, Adirondack Blue, Purple Fiesta, and Vitelotte.
Purple potatoes have a richer, nuttier flavor than white potatoes and are higher in fiber with the skin on.
They contain high levels of:
- vitamin C
- carotenoid compounds
- selenium
- tyrosine
- polyphenolic compounds like caffeic acid, scopolin, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid
Purple potatoes are especially rich in polyphenol antioxidants called anthocyanins that lend to healthier cholesterol levels, improved vision and eye health, and a reduced risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.
Part of the starch in purple potatoes is a type of fiber called resistant starch. Resistant starch resists digestion in your gastrointestinal tract, but the bacteria in your large intestine ferment it.
Their high potassium content, higher than a banana, helps improve blood pressure.
Dietary fiber helps keep you feeling full, prevents constipation, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Grill them, mash them, shred them for a hash…they can be cooked in any way!