Potato Facts
There are few more important food in the world than the potatoes. Potato is the staple food for 2/3rd of the world population. The per capita consumption is very high in European countries where potato is a major food crop. India is presently the 3rd largest potato growing country in the world.
History of Potato :
The potato was discovered by Pre Inca Indians in South America. To the inhabitants of Peru and Bolivia potato was the bread of life for centuries. The first recorded information of potato was written in 1553 by a Spanish conqueror Pedro Cieza de Leon. The first purchase of Potato was done in 1573 by a Hospital in Seville. Potato was recognized in Europe as nutritional and inexpensive and Governments persuaded their farmers to start growing the same. Potato helped support population explosion in Europe in 1800.
Protein :Potato protein has a very high biological value because all Amino acids are present. Studies with infants and young children recovering from malnutrition demonstrated that potatoes could be used to supply the entire daily dietary requirement for protein and substantial part of energy needs.
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Fat :With the fat content of less than 0.1 % potatoes do not cause obesity at all as is the portrayed misconception of people.
This misconception is because potato absorbs considerable quantity of fat while frying. It is the fried potato like any other item in the fried form, which causes the Obesity. In the non-fried form it is a wholesome meal.
In most part of our country potato is consumed as a complementary vegetable with a staple diet and is wrongly believed to make a negligible contribution to the nutritive value of a meal.
The facts presented make it amply clear that potatoes are as good as most other vegetables for nutrition & their medicinal values are a bonus to the Potato Lovers.
There are few more important food in the world than the potatoes. Potato is the staple food for 2/3rd of the world population. The per capita consumption is very high in European countries where potato is a major food crop. India is presently the 3rd largest potato growing country in the world.