Why You Should Never Eat Spouted Potatoes

You might be tempted to cook spouted potatoes when you find out that they have spouted last minute. That is strongly not advisable because of a number of reasons. Here is why you should not eat sprouted potatoes.

why you should not eat sprouted potatoes

why you should never eat sprouted potatoes

Eating Sprouted Potatoes Can be Dangerous

There are two natural glycoalkaloid compounds, solanine and chaconine. These are found in sprouted potatoes.  These compounds are toxic to humans when they eat too much of them. There are other vegetables such as eggplants and tomatoes that have these compounds. The amounts of the toxins are few in these vegetables. According to medical experts, the compounds can be beneficial if they are few.

Glycoalkaloid compounds are low in potatoes that have recently been harvested. These low compounds, unfortunately, begin to increase over time. The compounds’ levels will be higher especially in the skin and any green parts and sprouts. This is why you should also not consume green potatoes.

Results of Eating too Many Glycoalkaloids in Spouted Potatoes

When you eat too much of this compound, you may start to experience vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Although it is rare, in extreme cases a person may experience a rapid pulse, confusion, fever, headaches, and low blood pressure. Patients who experience this may die meaning eating too much of this compound can be life-threatening. This is the reason why you should throw away sprouted potatoes.

Can You Reduce The Amount of Toxins in Sprouted Potatoes

If potatoes are showing signs of decaying, they should be thrown away. Additionally, if there are signs of sprouting on the potatoes, they should also be thrown away. This is because they already have a significant amount of toxins. However, if the sprouting on potatoes is just starting the toxins can be reduced. You can peel the potatoes as well as dig out any signs of sprouting in order to remove toxins. The best way that you can prepare the potatoes that you have salvaged is to fry them, that is the most effective way. Spouted potatoes contain more toxins when the sprouting is advanced.

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