Potatoes

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Starchy tuberous vegetable

• Plant Family

  Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

• Key Nutrients

  Potassium, Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Niacin, Fiber, Protein, Carbohydrates

• Origin Region

  Southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia

• Toxic Compound

  Solanine (in aerial parts, sprouts, and light-exposed skins)

• Scientific Name

  Solanum tuberosum

• Number of Varieties

  Over 5,000

• Wild Ancestor Complex

  Solanum brevicaule complex

• Dietary Characteristics

  Fat-free, gluten-free, plant-based, cholesterol-free, sodium-free

• Calories per 5.3oz serving

  110

Timeline

• Domestication from a species in the Solanum brevicaule complex in present-day southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia)

  7000-01-01

• Introduced to Europe by the Spanish from the Americas. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, Web Search)

  1550-01-01

• Became a major crop in Ireland. (Source: Web Search)

  1675-01-01

• Became a major crop in continental Europe (particularly Germany) and in the west of England. (Source: Web Search)

  1775-01-01

• Most rapid expansion in production during the 21st century occurred in southern and eastern Asia, with China and India leading world production. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia)

  2001-01-01

• Ohalo's Boosted Breeding technology, an agriculture breakthrough, demonstrated stunning results in increasing potato crop yield by altering plant genetics. (Source: Related Documents)

  2024-05-01

Potato

The potato () is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are underground stem tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potato species can be found from the southern United States to southern Chile. Genetic studies show that the cultivated potato has a single origin, in the area of present-day southern Peru and extreme northwestern Bolivia. Potatoes were domesticated there about 7,000–10,000 years ago from a species in the S. brevicaule complex. Many varieties of the potato are cultivated in the Andes region of South America, where the species is indigenous. The Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe in the second half of the 16th century from the Americas. They are a staple food in many parts of the world and an integral part of much of the world's food supply. Following centuries of selective breeding, there are now over 5,000 different varieties of potatoes. The potato remains an essential crop in Europe, especially Northern and Eastern Europe, where per capita production is still the highest in the world, while the most rapid expansion in production during the 21st century was in southern and eastern Asia, with China and India leading the world production as of 2023. Like the tomato and the nightshades, the potato is in the genus Solanum; the aerial parts of the potato contain the toxin solanine. Normal potato tubers that have been grown and stored properly produce glycoalkaloids in negligible amounts, but if sprouts and potato skins are exposed to light, tubers can become toxic.

Web Search Results

• Potato - Wikipedia

  The potato (/pəˈteɪtoʊ/) is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are underground stem tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. [...] Like the tomato, potatoes belong to the genus Solanum, which is a member of the nightshade family, the Solanaceae. That is a diverse family of flowering plants, often poisonous, that includes the mandrake (Mandragora "Mandragora (genus)")), deadly nightshade (Atropa), and tobacco (Nicotiana), as shown in the outline phylogenetic tree (many branches omitted). The most commonly cultivated potato is S. tuberosum; there are several other species. [...] Potatoes are generally grown from "seed potatoes", tubers specifically grown to be free from disease[clarification needed] and to provide consistent and healthy plants. To be disease free, the areas where seed potatoes are grown are selected with care. In the US, this restricts production of seed potatoes to only 15 states out of all 50 states where potatoes are grown. These locations are selected for their cold, hard winters that kill pests and summers with long sunshine hours for optimum

• Potatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects - Healthline

  > SUMMARY > Potatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, and vitamins C and B6. Other plant compounds Potatoes are rich in bioactive plant compounds, which are mostly concentrated in the skin. Varieties with purple or red skin and flesh contain the highest amounts of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant (17 Trusted Source). [...] The bottom line Potatoes are a popular high carb food that provides several healthy vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. What’s more, they may aid weight management and help prevent heart disease. However, this does not apply to fried potatoes — such as french fries and chips — that have been soaked in oil and cooked under high heat. For optimal health, it’s best to limit or avoid these products altogether. ### Just one thing [...] Health benefits of potatoes Potatoes with skin may offer a number of health benefits. ### Heart health Hypertension, a harmful condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure, is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. Potatoes contain a number of minerals and plant compounds that may help lower blood pressure. The high potassium content of potatoes is particularly noteworthy.

• Potato | Definition, Plant, Origin, & Facts | Britannica

  ## Physical description The potato is one of some 150 tuber-bearing species of the genus Solanum (a tuber is the swollen end of an underground stem). The compound leaves are spirally arranged; each leaf is 20–30 cm (about 8–12 inches) long and consists of a terminal leaflet and two to four pairs of leaflets. The white, lavender, or purple flowers have five fused petals and yellow stamens. The fruit is a small poisonous berry with numerous seeds. [...] potato, (Solanum tuberosum), annual plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its starchy edible tubers. The potato is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes and is one of the world’s main food crops. Potatoes are frequently served whole or mashed as a cooked vegetable and are also ground into potato flour, used in baking and as a thickener for sauces. The tubers are highly digestible and supply vitamin C, protein, thiamin, and niacin. ## Domestication and history [...] Potatoes are thought to have been independently domesticated several times and were largely cultivated in South America by the Incas as early as 1,800 years ago. Encountered by the invading Spaniards, potatoes were introduced into Europe during the second half of the 16th century. By the end of the 17th century the plant was a major crop in Ireland, and by the end of the 18th century it was a major crop in continental Europe, particularly Germany, and in the west of England. It continued to

• 7 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Potatoes

  Studies have linked potatoes and their nutrients to a variety of impressive health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, reduced heart disease risk and higher immunity. They may also improve digestive health and combat signs of aging. Potatoes are also quite filling, which means they may help you lose weight by curbing hunger pains and cravings. [...] Calories: 161 Fat: 0.2 grams Protein: 4.3 grams Carbs: 36.6 grams Fiber: 3.8 grams Vitamin C: 28% of the RDI Vitamin B6: 27% of the RDI Potassium: 26% of the RDI Manganese: 19% of the RDI Magnesium: 12% of the RDI Phosphorus: 12% of the RDI Niacin: 12% of the RDI Folate: 12% of the RDI The nutritional content of potatoes can vary depending on the variety and how they are prepared. For example, frying potatoes adds more calories and fat than baking them.

• Potato Nutrition Facts | Nutrients, Calories, Benefits of a ...

  Potatoes are one of the world’s most versatile vegetables. Foundational in a wide range of international and all-American cuisine, potatoes are the perfect blank canvas for various flavors. This is welcome news when your good health depends on eating a gluten-free diet. An ideal substitution for some of your favorite bread, grain, and pasta-based dishes, potatoes add a boost of nutritional benefits. Potatoes In Your Diet × ## Potatoes in Your Home Potatoes are great every day of the week. [...] Potatoes are more energy-packed than any other popular vegetable. Potatoes are also fat-free, gluten-free, plant-based, affordable, and a quality carbohydrate. They are cholesterol-free and sodium-free, with only 110 calories per 5.3oz serving. Based on the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), potatoes can help Americans of all ages follow a healthy eating pattern. By choosing potatoes, Americans can take simple steps toward eating healthier across every stage of life. [...] Potatoes come in multiple varieties to keep your meals interesting. Russets, reds, yellows, whites, purples, petites, and fingerlings. Potatoes also come in multiple forms to fit your cooking methods: fresh, dehydrated, frozen, and canned. Their versatility means they can easily fit into meals across various personal, cultural, and dietary preferences.

• Instance Of

  Q7725634