Kamila Součková
23. 2. 2025
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2 minutes
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Potatoes certainly are one of the stars of Czech cuisine. Already since time immemorial. But did you know that they can be poisonous and harm your body? Today we will focus on what to watch out for and how to prevent health problems.
Beware of green and sprouted potatoes
When the potato tubers are built, the light is so green. And it doesn’t matter if they are still in the field, or already collected and stored. The trouble is that eggplant plants like potatoes or even tomatoes, contain solanin. It is a natural substance protecting plants against pests and in small quantities people are harmless to us. However, as such is toxic, or it is a poison.
Toxins in potatoes? They’re there! Look at the YouTube channel alchemy of life here:
Source: YouTube
But be careful! Due to the light, the solanin levels are tripled. The most solanin is concentrated in the potato of the germ wheeled, around them and in the peel. The high concentral solanin in our intestines causes damage to the mucosa in the stomach and duodenum and can cause bleeding. You can tell poisoning by having cramps in your stomach accompanied by nasty diarrhea. Children who have a smaller and less resistant body can take away most.
How to avoid Solanin in potatoes
Fortunately, Solanin does not penetrate the potatoes. However, remember that cooking does not break down and remains inside. The only possible solution is therefore to thoroughly peel the potatoes before heat treatment, in any case remove the green parts and sprouts.
The amount of solanin increases especially in the spring, when the potatoes begin to germinate naturally.
As we have already written, the most solanin is contained in the peel. If the potatoes germinate, also around the stitches and in the keys. Therefore, avoid preparing the recipe with potatoes in the old potato peel and wait for the morning potatoes. Eating just those in the skin is much safer.
Solaninhydrochloride, which is solanin in the form of salt and hydrochloric acid, is used in agriculture for spraying as an insecticide. And what is insecticide? Chemical spraying used to kill insects. It doesn’t sound nice, is it? Right, it should discourage you from preparing greenish potatoes!
Source: www.jdejinak.cz
