Tag: health

Are Raw Potatoes Bad for You? Debunking Myths

Ricardo Davis

– Raw potatoes have a bitter taste and starchy texture compared to cooked potatoes.
– Raw potatoes are high in resistant starch, which provides energy for beneficial gut bacteria and has potential health benefits such as lowering blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, promoting weight loss, and improving digestive health.
– Resistant starch is converted into butyrate, which can suppress inflammation in the colon and block the growth of colon cancer cells.
– Treatment with butyrate may also help decrease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
– Raw potatoes contain fewer calories, carbs, protein, and potassium compared to baked potatoes.
– Raw potatoes are significantly higher in vitamin C, with twice as much vitamin C per gram compared to baked potatoes.
– Potatoes contain antinutrients like protein trypsin inhibitor and lectins, which can interfere with nutrient absorption. Cooking potatoes helps reduce antinutrient content for better absorption of nutrients.
– Potatoes can contain toxic compounds called glycoalkaloids, particularly green potatoes. High consumption of glycoalkaloids can cause symptoms like drowsiness, itchiness, and digestive issues. Boiling, baking, and microwaving potatoes can reduce glycoalkaloid levels.
– Raw potatoes, due to high levels of resistant starch, can contribute to digestive problems such as gas and bloating. They may also harbor contaminants.
– Eating raw potatoes in high amounts may cause digestive issues like stomach discomfort, gas, and bloating. This is because raw potatoes may contain bacteria from the soil that is usually destroyed by cooking.
– Eating raw potatoes may not be advisable as they contain solanine and lectins, which can cause gastric distress and potentially make a person sick. Solanine is a poisonous compound that can cause symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. Lectins are proteins that can cause nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea when consumed in large amounts.
– Feeding raw potatoes to dogs is also dangerous due to the presence of solanine. Baked or broiled potatoes are safer options for dogs.

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Can You Drink Egg Whites? Uncovering the Health Benefits and Risks!

Ricardo Davis

– Some people, especially athletes and bodybuilders, drink raw egg whites for muscle-building protein.
– Liquid egg whites are beaten and pasteurized before being packaged and are safe to consume.
– It is important to purchase pasteurized eggs if planning to eat them raw.
– Raw egg whites can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
– Salmonella can cause illness, with symptoms appearing within 6 hours to 6 days after consumption.
– Children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for severe illness from Salmonella.
– Symptoms of Salmonella may include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
– Raw egg whites are not considered safe to eat, but the risk can be reduced by choosing pasteurized eggs.
– The article discusses the question of whether it is safe to drink egg whites.
– To reduce the risk of exposure, it is recommended to eat fully cooked eggs or choose pasteurized egg whites.
– Pasteurization involves exposing eggs to rapid heat treatments at high temperatures within a specific timeframe.
– It is important to store eggs in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or lower to further reduce the risk.
– If one prefers to drink egg whites as part of their diet, it is crucial to purchase pasteurized liquid egg whites.
– One 1/2 cup (120 mL) serving of pasteurized liquid egg whites contains 54 calories, 11 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of cholesterol, 152 mg of potassium, and 163 mg of sodium.
– Raw eggs are not considered safe to eat because of the risk of Salmonella.
– Pasteurized eggs are a safer option.
– The article discusses the safety of drinking egg whites and suggests that to reduce potential health risks, it is best to consume fully cooked eggs or pasteurized egg whites.
– Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that helps eliminate harmful bacteria in eggs.
– It is recommended to store eggs in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower.
– If drinking egg whites, it is advised to choose pasteurized ones.

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