purple Potatoes

Did you know that there are Purple Potatoes ? And furthermore, did you know that there are multiple kinds !?

The Purple Majesty, Purple Viking and Purple Peruvian are three of a few kinds of purple potatoes that are sold commercially.

What makes them purple?

The answer is simple. Its because of a group of chemicals called Anthocyanins. This is the same chemical found in blueberries, eggplants, concord grapes and other purple-blueish foods. Anthocyanin gives protection against liver injuries; strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities; significant reduction of blood pressure; inhibition of mutations caused by mutagens from cooked food; improvement of eyesight; suppression of proliferation of human cancer cells. They are potent scavengers of free radicals. The consumption of anthocyanins may play a significant role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

The nutrient profile for purple potatoes is pretty good even without anthocyanins. They only have 70 grams of calories per half cup but, they have 16 grams of carbs, no grams of fat, and they’re really high in potassium which is a key component in managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

So in conclusion, whether you’re a plant-based eater or not, Purple potatoes are a great addition to your diet!!