Like many others, do you also throw potato peels into the garbage bin? If yes, then you are actually disposing off a large number of healthy ingredients. Well-known for its disease-fighting abilities, the skin of potatoes is far more beneficial to health and beauty than the vegetable itself.
A) For health
A1) Helps in weight loss
We all know that potatoes are rich in carbohydrates that play a key role in improving your weight. However, potato peels contain minimal amount of fat, cholesterol and sodium. This is the reason, why aloo skin can be an interesting part of your weight-loss diet plan.
A2) Boosts immunity
Being a powerhouse of vitamin C, potato skin acts as a potent antioxidant agent. Apart from this, the peels contain B-complex vitamin and calcium that play an integral part of a healthy defense system and enhance the immune activity.
A3) Protects against cancer
Potato skin is rich in phytochemicals that possess powerful antioxidant activity. In addition to this, it also contains high amounts of chlorogenic acid that binds with carcinogen (cancer causing compound) and thus, protects the body against cancer.
A4) Lowers blood cholesterol
The high fibre content coupled with antioxidants, polyphenols and glycoalkaloids is found to induce cholesterol-lowering effects on the body. Hence, people planning to reap the health benefits of potato peel should consume unpeeled potatoes in their meal.
A5) Lowers risk of heart disease
As potato peels are loaded with potassium, an important and essential mineral, consuming them lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is because, potassium plays a key role in lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy heart. Another heart-healthy nutrient present in potato skin are omega-3 fatty acids.
A6) Maintains blood sugar levels
Do you suffer from hunger pangs? Then, adding potato peels to your meals is the apt measure to cut down mindless eating. Apart from being high in fibre content, the skin of potato contains essential nutrients that prevent surging of blood sugar levels in the body. The long-term effect of eating potato peels includes prevention of type 2 diabetes and its associated risk factors like heart disease.
B) For beauty
B1) Good against skin burns
One effective, yet simple, home remedy to heal skin burns is potato peels. In addition to acting as a potent antibacterial agent, they also moisturise the skin and work better than conventional dressings against minor burns.
B2) Acts as natural hair colouring agent
Not many people are aware about the amazing property of potato peel – to hide gray hair strands. The skin contains numerous essential nutrients that help in providing a natural look and colour to your hair.
B3) Lightens dark spots
Potato peel contains antibacterial, phenolic and antioxidant compounds that exert mild bleaching action. All you need to do is rub freshly peeled potato skin over dark spots, including dark circles and sun tan. Do this on a regular basis to reap its skin-lightening properties.
Source: http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/health-beauty-benefits-of-potato-peels/
