Potatoes are among the most versatile vegetables available. You can cook them in many different ways, but you may not know that they are also beneficial to your health, especially if you consume them after a workout session.
When you work out, your body is breaking down protein, carbohydrates and fats. Eating a recovery meal like potato after exercising helps replenish these three essential nutrients to your muscles.
Potatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. They are an easy to digest food that will help fuel your body and help it recover from the strenuous workout.
Listed below are the top 11 reasons why you should eat potatoes after workout:
1. Potatoes Boost Energy Level
The carbohydrates found in potatoes provide your body with quick energy which is ideal for the mind and body after an intense workout session. They also promote endurance which allows you to keep going without becoming tired or fatigued.
2. Potatoes Reduce Muscle Soreness
Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C which is an essential vitamin for the production of collagen and maintenance of connective tissues in the body.
Collagen helps to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time after intense workouts. It also improves circulation and reduces joint pain.
3. Potatoes Promote Weight Loss
The fiber content in potatoes has been shown to help with weight loss by making you feel fuller for longer, thus reducing your appetite.
Potatoes are also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which the body needs to produce energy.
They can be eaten alone or with a side of veggies like carrots, broccoli, spinach etc. They also make a great addition to salads.
Find out more: Is mashed potato good for weight loss?
4. Potatoes Help Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke
The fiber content in potatoes helps lower cholesterol levels by binding with bile acids in the intestine, which prevents them from being reabsorbed into the body.
This process reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Potatoes Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
The same fiber that helps reduce cholesterol also helps prevent diabetes by lowering insulin resistance, or how much your body needs to produce to control blood sugar levels. This lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as obesity, which is a major risk factor for developing the disease.
6. Potatoes Can Help Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
Cancer is a complex disease, but there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it.
One of these is eating potatoes, which contain antioxidants that help fight the development of cancer cells and also prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.
They also contain phytonutrients that can protect against breast cancer, as well as prostate and colon cancers.
These include chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,caffeoylquinic acid, ferulic acid, and anthocyanins.
7. Potatoes are Good for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
Potatoes are a good source of potassium which is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Potassium helps to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
8. Potatoes are Good Source of Vitamin C
Potatoes are a good source of Vitamin C which is needed for the production of collagen, a protein that helps to keep skin healthy and young looking.
Vitamin C is also needed for healthy immune function and may help reduce your risk of getting colds or the flu.
9. Potatoes contain B Vitamins
Potatoes contain B Vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin, which help convert food into energy and can improve metabolism.
10. Potatoes help in Digestion
They are rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation and maintain a healthy digestive system.
11. Potatoes help Build Strong Bones
Potatoes are a good source of magnesium, which plays an important role in building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis.
Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, and a deficiency can lead to insulin resistance.
Different ways you can eat potatoes in after workout meal:
Potatoes can be consumed as a meal in itself or added to soups and stews for extra nutrition.
You can make delicious hash browns, potato pancakes, potato cakes, mashed potatoes, or even simple boiled potatoes or fries for an after workout meal.
Conclusion:
Potato is a rich source of various nutrients and minerals that are beneficial for the human body. It contains dietary fiber which helps to improve digestion and prevents constipation.
Potatoes are an ideal food to eat after workout as they contain essential carbohydrates that provide energy.
It helps in muscles recovery and keeps you full for a longer time so that you won’t go towards eating unhealthy snacks.
In this article, we discussed the 11 reasons why eating potatoes after workout is good for you. If you enjoyed reading it, please do share it on your social media.
