This article discusses the benefits of potato juice and its side effects. Read on.
What Is Potato Juice?
Simply put, it is the juice that comes from raw potatoes. Potato juice contains a host of nutrients, including vitamins B and C, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and copper. Since potato juice is nutrient-dense, it offers a wide range of benefits for the body. Let’s take a look at some of them.
What Are Its Health Benefits?
Potato juice offers many benefits for our overall health. Some of these are backed by research, and some of them have been followed blindly since decades. Read on to know more.
1. Boosts The Immune System
Potatoes contain a significant amount of vitamin C – the nutrient that fights cold and infection and helps to strengthen the immune system. Drinking a glass of potato juice regularly wards off diseases and improves your immunity.
2. Relieves Arthritis
Potato juice has wonderful anti-inflammatory effects that help to relieve most kinds of pain associated with swelling, inflammation, or redness. Drinking potato juice was believed to cure arthritis and other joint and back pains associated with arthritis (1). Traditional remedies also included applying compressed potatoes to the joints directly or taping a sliced potato to the joint to eliminate the soreness and pain.
3. Heals Ulcers
Potato juice was found to have gastrointestinal protective effects. It may also help treat ulcers (2). Drinking a glass of potato juice daily works as a preventive measure to stop the development of stomach ulcers. It also works as an antibacterial probiotic drink.
4. Detoxifies The Liver And Gallbladder
Potato juice is one of the most inexpensive ways to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. The Japanese use this juice to treat hepatitis. You can test its detoxifying effects by drinking a glass of potato juice every day as soon as you wake up or 30 minutes before breakfast.
5. Lowers Cholesterol
Potatoes contain essential nutrients like fiber and vitamins A, B-complex, and C. These nutrients help lower the cholesterol levels in the body. Drinking a glass of potato juice without straining out its pulp can be highly beneficial for your overall health and cholesterol levels.
6. Treatment For Migraines
It is said that raw potatoes and their juice have been used in European traditional medicine for centuries. You can rub a slice of potato or potato juice on the forehead and temples to relieve pain, stress, and even migraines. There is no scientific research done yet to back up this claim, but positive results have been recorded from people all over the world.
7. Cures Constipation
Potatoes contain a significant amount of fiber, a non-nutrient that is extremely useful for treating constipation and cleansing our digestive system (3). Having a glass of potato juice with the pulp helps in cleaning the GI tract and curing constipation.
8. Speeds Up Wound Healing
Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that helps fight infections and promotes wound healing (4). If you are injured, drinking potato juice can help speed up wound healing and tissue recovery.
9. Improves Circulation
Potato juice contains an ample amount of niacin, a component of vitamin B-complex. This vitamin not only helps increase our energy levels but also ensures the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to different organs of the body. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this nutrient may promote blood flow, thereby boosting normal body function. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
10. Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
A 2016 study was carried out on different varieties of potatoes to test their anticancer capacities. The study proved that the rapid division of cancer cells was significantly reduced by consuming potatoes (5). Potatoes contain chemical compounds called glycoalkaloids, which possess anti-tumor properties (6). Hence, drinking potato juice regularly reduces your risk of developing cancer.
11. May Relieve Sciatica
Sciatica is characterized by excruciating pain originating in the lower back region and radiating down to the legs. Home remedies work very well to treat sciatica, and potato juice is said to be one the most effective remedies. Potato juice decreases nerve irritation and helps in the movement of the legs. Drink half a cup of raw potato juice at least twice a day to relieve pain.
12. May Relieve Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by inflammation and swelling in the joints due to the deposition of excess uric acid. Potato juice has anti-inflammatory properties, and it neutralizes and reduces excess uric acid from the joints. This makes potato juice one of the best natural treatments for gout and pain associated with arthritis.
13. May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Potato juice contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the heart from artery blockage and cardiac arrest, hence promoting heart health.
14. Aids Weight Loss
People wrongly assume that consuming potatoes will lead to weight gain. However, research has shown that potatoes actually aid weight loss. This is especially true with potato juice. Even replacing some of the carbs in your diet with portions of potato can help. Potato juice contains a lot of vitamin C, which helps to increase metabolism. A study conducted by Arizona and Columbia Universities suggests that potato could possibly be considered for weight reduction (7). Drinking potato juice after meals inhibits the growth of the hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), which prevents overeating and results in weight loss. We have seen a multitude of benefits of potato juice for our overall health, but what about its benefits for the skin? Well, let’s find out.
Does It Have Skin Benefits?
Potato juice is so healthy that we can’t think of any other vegetable that is as good as this is. Here are some ways our skin benefits from potato juice.
15. Hydrates Your Skin
Potato juice contains high amounts of vitamin C, which is very beneficial for hydrating your skin. For deeper hydration, mix potato juice with yogurt and apply it on the skin. Rinse after 15 minutes, and you will notice your skin has turned brighter, tighter, and moisturized.
16. Makes Your Skin Clear And Blemish- Free
Washing with cool potato juice may help clear facial blemishes (8). Though this is an ancient use, it still could work today.
17. May Have Anti-Aging Effects
Potato juice can help prevent aging and reduce wrinkles on the face. Mix potato juice with curd and apply on the face regularly to reduce as well as delay the onset of wrinkles. You can also dab potato juice on your face with a cotton ball every day to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and give your face a youthful glow.
18. May Relieve Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that is characterized mainly by extreme dryness of skin, along with other symptoms like redness, itching, flaking and scaling of the skin. One of the best herbal remedies to treat eczema is potato juice. You can drink a glass of potato juice every day, or apply it topically on the affected areas. However, there is no research that supports this claim. And what about the hair? Does potato juice do any good for our hair? Find out below.
What About The Hair?
19. Promotes Healthy Hair
Potato juice improves the overall health of the hair and treats conditions like dandruff, dryness, and itching of the scalp. All you need to do is take the juice of 2 raw potatoes, and add 1 tablespoon of honey and the yolk of an egg. Apply this mixture to your hair roots and shampoo as usual after one hour. You will notice amazing results after a few uses – your hair will grow faster, thicker, and stronger. All these benefits for the health, skin, and hair look good, but how do we prepare this juice? It’s so easy, a child can do it! Let’s find out how.
How Do I Make This Juice?
Preparing raw potato juice is quite easy. Just follow these steps: Want to know how to store it for further use? Let’s find out how to go about doing that.
Can I Store It?
Made a large quantity of potato juice and are now wondering how to store the leftovers? Well, first things first. Ensure you don’t make more potato juice than required. Only make as much as you can consume immediately. Potato juice is most beneficial only if it is consumed within 20 minutes of making it. But if you are still keen to store it, you can refrigerate the juice in an airtight glass jar for about 1 to 2 days. All good things come with a clause. Here are a few things you might need to know before you start juicing up all the potatoes in your kitchen.
Any Side Effects I Need To Be Aware Of?
Yes, there are a few points to consider before you start using potato juice: Now that we’ve talked all about the benefits and side effects, let’s wrap this up and get straight to the bottom line. Can potato juice be refrigerated? Yes, it should be refrigerated if it isn’t consumed immediately. Can potato juice be left overnight on the face? Yes, you may leave a potato juice mask overnight on your face. How long does potato juice last? Potato juice can last in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 to 4 days. But it is recommended to consume it as fresh as possible. Can we apply potato juice on the face for removing hair? Potato juice does not help in hair removal. It can only be applied to enhance skin health. Where can I buy raw potato juice? Does applying potato juice on the face get rid of acne? Yes, regular application of potato juice on the face helps to clear out acne. Does the juice of potato help in removing tan? Potato juice is extremely useful in removing tan since it has powerful bleaching properties. Are potatoes good for constipation? Yes, potatoes and potato juice are very effective for constipation. Can I take potato juice every day? Yes, potato juice can be taken every day, but not more than 1 to 2 glasses. What happens if we drink potato juice daily? Drinking potato juice daily will strengthen your immune system as it is rich in vitamin C. Can I apply potato juice twice a day? Yes, you can apply potato juice twice a day to get brighter, tighter, and younger-looking skin
