POTATO HAS GOOD COCKTAIL OF MINERALS

Important minerals and trace elements are present in potato. It is a good source of phosphorous. The phosphorous present in potato is more assimilable than the phosphorous present in other food crops because of the relatively small percentage of phytic acid in potato. The lower phytic acid content of potatoes makes a large part of potato phosphorous available to human body and is also helpful in allowing greater availability of calcium, iron and zinc. The potassium content of potato is also relatively high. Because of high potassium content, potatoes are not included in the diet of patients with renal failure. On the other hand the sodium content of potato is very low. Potatoes are a good source of iron and their iron content is comparable to most of the other vegetables. Potatoes provide a good source of magnesium. Zinc is an important trace element found in potato. Though zinc content of potato is not very high but its availability is high because of the low phytic acid content. Potato can supply at least part of daily requirements of trace elements like copper, manganese, molybdenum and chromium.

Mineral content of raw potato (mg/ 100g edible portion)