I’ve told you for years not to eat many potatoes. Yes, they are a staple food in America and worldwide, largely because they are so easy to grow. But they just do not have much nutritional value. And they are a starch, which means they contribute to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, theres a better reason to avoid them – especially if they are green. They can make you very sick!
Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of plants. These make a toxic compound called solanine. Its a toxin that can cause nausea, headaches, and neurological problems. All potatoes make small amounts. It serves as a natural insecticide, protecting the plant.
However, when potatoes get prolonged exposure to light and warmth, they will produce more. When this happens, it turns the potato green. The color is made by chlorophyll, which is produced at the same time as the extra solanine. All you would have to eat is about 16 ounces of green potatoes to get sick. That is about one large baked potato.
I do not eat potatoes very often – and I recommend you stay away from them too. They have a high glycemic index rating and you almost always have to cook them before eating them. And this destroys any nutrition they do have. If you do eat potatoes, try to avoid them when they are green.
Ref: New York Times, July 3, 2007.