Why You Should Avoid Eating Potatoes with 'Horns'
Many of us love potatoes. It's important to know that while they are healthy, delicious, and contain beneficial nutrients, they can also pose risks. How? Read this important article to find out.
(photo: shutterstock)Many of us love potatoes. It's important to know that while they are healthy, delicious, and contain beneficial nutrients, they can also pose risks. How? Have you ever wondered what happens when they sprout 'horns'? Can you still consume them as usual, or should they be discarded?<\/p>
Well, opinions are divided: some say it's fine to remove the problematic parts and consume the potatoes as they are, while others claim it's one of the greater risks to our health, advising to discard the potato in such cases.<\/p>
Why?<\/p>
According to health department guidelines for identifying toxic potatoes, there are several parameters that increase their likelihood of containing natural toxins at high levels (potatoes contain toxins naturally, but at very low and non-dangerous concentrations).<\/p>
Green potatoes, or those with green spots, potatoes exposed to light, humidity, and heat, and potatoes beginning to sprout roots – all fall into the dangerous category, with a higher chance of high levels of toxins such as solanine and glycoalkaloids.<\/p>
While it may sound complex, it's essential to know that potatoes with high levels of toxins not only lose flavor and taste bitter, but consuming them can cause various problems and pains, from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches to digestive and intestinal issues.<\/p>
Such 'horns' usually indicate a particularly high level of solanine – which, being bitter, affects the digestive system within seconds, causing unpleasant symptoms at best, and issues like heart rhythm disturbances, paralysis, and even death, G-d forbid, in extreme cases.<\/p>
