'I'm a nutritionist - you must instantly throw away potatoes if you spot one sign on skin'




The British staple, the potato, is a fixture in meals from Sunday roasts to late-night takeaways, but Spanish food expert Pablo Ojeda has issued a stark warning about when this versatile vegetable should be discarded.

"When the flower has already come out, throw it away," he advised.

While a sprouting spud isn't uncommon, Ojeda cautions that potatoes can become dangerously toxic under certain conditions.

"When it sprouts a little bit, I'll accept it," he said during an appearance on the Spanish TV show Más Vale Tarde, "But when it has already bloomed like a flower, throw it away."

The danger lies in the potato plant's ability to produce small green fruits resembling cherry tomatoes, which contain the poisonous chemical solanine. Even if you spot stems, simply removing them isn't safe; the entire potato is contaminated and should never be consumed.

Despite their nutritional benefits, potato flowers are high in solanine and can cause serious illness – after all, they belong to the same family as the deadly nightshade.

The potato vine is also harmful to humans. Consuming the vine can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea, while even skin contact can result in redness, itching, and swelling.

Gardeners are advised to remove any flowers from their potato plants, not only because they can be toxic if ingested by small children or pets, but also because pruning will redirect the plant's energy into its tubers – the part we actually consume.

Proper storage of potatoes is crucial as well.

Decaying potatoes can release their solanine into the air, and in a poorly ventilated environment like a root cellar, inhaling this chemical could cause serious illness.



Source link

Posted: 2024-12-03 07:37:11

There is one thing you should never do while holidaying in Italy | World | News
 



... Read More

Russia fires nearly 300 drones and missiles in attack on Ukraine energy sector, Kyiv says
 



... Read More

Most of Havana, much of Cuba sees power restored after tropical storm, repeated grid failures
 



... Read More

56 people killed in Guinea soccer stampede
 



... Read More

Save even more money on PlayStation Store Black Friday sale with this trick | Gaming | Entertainment
 



... Read More

Horoscopes today - Russell Grant's star sign forecast for November 18
 



... Read More

The world's 'highest' train station that's at an incredible 16,627ft | World | News
 



... Read More

Chelsea star Reece James breaks silence in statement after injury setback | Football | Sport
 



... Read More