Is there diarrhea or constipation from potatoes and is it possible to eat them in such cases?

Potatoes are one of the staple foods of modern man. However, its use does not always bring pleasure. Sometimes the product aggravates or even provokes digestive disorders such as diarrhea and constipation. This problem can affect both adults and babies who have just switched to solid food. People who suffer from eating disorders or are predisposed to them should know everything about the characteristics of potatoes.

The article will tell you whether you can eat potatoes if you have diarrhea and constipation, and how this product affects the functioning of the digestive system.

Composition of potatoes

100 g of potatoes contains:

• calories – 86 kcal;
• water – 77.46 g;
• carbohydrates – 18.21 g;
• fiber – 1.8 g;
• fats – 0.1 g;
• saturated fat – 0.03 g;
• cholesterol – 0 mg;
• proteins – 1.71 g;
• ash – 0.72 g.

Macronutrients:

• potassium – 328 mg;
• calcium – 8 mg;
• magnesium – 20 mg;
• sodium – 5 mg;
• phosphorus – 40 mg.

Microelements:

• iron – 0.31 mg;
• manganese – 0.14 mg;
• copper – 0.17 mg;
• selenium – 0.3 mcg;
• zinc – 0.27 mg.

Vitamins:

• vitamin A – 3 mcg;
• beta carotene – 0.02 mg;
• vitamin B1 – 0.12 mg;
• vitamin B2 – 0.07 mg;
• vitamin B4 – 11 mg;
• vitamin B5 – 0.3 mg;
• vitamin B6 – 0.3 mg;
• vitamin B9 – 8 mcg;
• vitamin C – 20 mg;
• vitamin E – 0.1 mg;
• vitamin H – 0.1 mcg;
• vitamin K – 1.9 mcg;
• vitamin PP – 1.8 mg.

Potatoes are high in vitamins B6, B4 C and PP.. They stimulate the immune system, maintain blood vessel tone, help maintain the body's youth, improve skin condition and ensure proper metabolism.

This is interesting! To get the daily requirement of vitamin C, a person only needs to eat 450 g of potatoes.

Potatoes are rich in silicon and cobalt among minerals.. It also contains iodine, without which normal functioning of the thyroid gland is impossible. Calcium maintains the strength of the musculoskeletal system and is involved in the formation of bone tissue. Selenium, along with vitamin C, supports the functions of the immune system and also slows down the aging process in the body.

It's important to know that the composition of potatoes is not constant and depends on a number of factors. Young tubers contain more water and vitamins than old ones, and they also contain significantly less starch. As potatoes age, the water evaporates from them, many vitamins are destroyed, so the nutritional value of overwintered potatoes is very low.

In addition to age, the content of useful elements is largely determined by the growing conditions of the vegetable.: soil type, variety, fertilizers. If they are used excessively, there is a high risk of getting tubers with dangerous concentrations of nitrates.

Glycemic index

The glycemic index of potatoes varies depending on the cooking method.. It is highest for mashed potatoes - 90. Boiled potatoes have a glycemic index of 70, jacket potatoes - 65.

These values ​​are high, so potatoes are not recommended for people with diabetes.

Properties of potatoes

It is a common belief that potatoes have no nutritional value.. For this reason, it is often not included in various diets, and sometimes it is recommended to completely remove it from the diet due to its uselessness. However, this is a wrong point of view.

Thanks to its rich composition, it provides the most diverse influence on the body.

Beneficial features

First of all, potatoes are a very nutritious product.. This vegetable perfectly saturates the body due to its high starch content, is well digestible and rarely causes allergies. Because of these qualities, it is classified as a hypoallergenic product.

It has another valuable property starch. It forms a membrane on the walls of the stomach and intestines that protects these organs from the action of aggressive food components. This is important for those who suffer from gastritis, duodenal or stomach ulcers, or have high acidity.

Not only cooked but also raw tubers, in particular their juice, are beneficial. It is able to relieve pain from stomach ulcers, and also contains enzymes that actively break down sugar, making sweet foods better digested. Potato juice It also has a cleansing effect, helping to remove toxins from the body.

Potatoes contain a whole complex of vitamins and minerals that participate in the body's metabolic processes. He also has a beneficial effect on the circulatory, nervous and excretory systems.

Harmful properties

Unfortunately, Potatoes do not always have a beneficial effect on the body. It also has a number of properties that are unpleasant for humans.

Potato tubers synthesize substances that can cause serious harm. The most dangerous of them is solanine. It is always present in tubers, but usually its concentration is too low to cause harm. However, if stored incorrectly or for too long, the solanine content increases to critical levels.

Fast carbohydrates, of which there are quite a lot in potatoes, contribute to weight gain. Therefore, if you are overweight or have metabolic disorders, it is recommended strictly dose this product.

Due to the high glycemic index Potatoes are dangerous for severe diabetes.

The effect of potatoes on the digestive system

The effect of potatoes on the functions of the digestive system is a matter of considerable controversy. Quite often, people complain that potatoes cause both constipation and diarrhea.

This effect of potatoes is caused by several factors.:

• vegetable composition;
• diet;
• cooking method;
• individual characteristics of the human body.

Eating potatoes, especially raw ones, can cause nutritional diarrhea - an eating disorder caused by poor diet. The cause of diarrhea is coarse plant fiber, which potatoes contain 1.8 g per 100 g of product. Its excess leads to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, causing bloating and diarrhea.

Fried or deep-fried potatoes are especially harmful.. When cooking, large amounts of oil are used, which can cause eating disorders in both children and adults. It is not recommended to eat fatty meat with potatoes. The animal fats it contains, in combination with potato fiber, can also cause diarrhea.

Loose stool may be due to an allergic reaction to potatoes. In a small number of people (especially children under 6 years of age) are diagnosed with intolerance this vegetable. If, in addition to nausea and diarrhea, skin rashes appear after eating potatoes, you should consult an allergist.

Potatoes can cause constipation. This happens due to an excess of carbohydrates. Starch can also bind. The risk of digestive disorders is especially high when eating boiled, baked and stewed potatoes.

In young children, potato starch sometimes causes constipation during feeding. Their gastrointestinal tract is just beginning to adapt to “adult” food, so excessive load can lead to digestive problems. For this reason, complementary foods are introduced little by little and the baby’s reaction to the product is monitored.

Important! For both constipation and diarrhea, children and adults need to drink more fluids.

Eating Potatoes for Diarrhea

There is no clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to eat potatoes with diarrhea, due to the dual effect that it has on the gastrointestinal tract. The starch contained in potatoes has a strengthening effect and normalizes stool. But at the same time, the abundance of fiber in tubers, on the contrary, accelerates peristalsis, thereby having the opposite effect. That is why even doctors have not come to a consensus on whether potatoes can be consumed for diarrhea.

The effect of potatoes on the body largely depends on the method of its preparation.. If you have diarrhea, fatty foods are strictly prohibited, so you should avoid fried potatoes. You can't eat raw potatoes either.

During diarrhea, it is best to eat boiled, stewed or baked vegetables. It is in thermally treated tubers that starch manifests itself most clearly, which has a strengthening effect.

remember, that With diarrhea, many beneficial substances are washed out of the body, for example, potassium and selenium. If you eat potatoes when you have diarrhea, you will make up for the lack of these substances.

Potatoes for diarrhea in children

Many parents doubt whether their children can have boiled potatoes if they have diarrhea. This is especially true for children under 6 years of age. Gastroenterologists recommend giving children boiled or stewed potatoes.

Like adults, children suffering from diarrhea are contraindicated in raw vegetables and fruits. We must not forget about a possible allergic reaction. Children under 6 years of age are most likely to be allergic to potatoes. Often its symptoms coincide with those of food poisoning and are accompanied by diarrhea.

If your child has acute diarrhea, that is, weakness, vomiting and abdominal pain appear, and the urge to go to the toilet occurs more than three times a day, food is temporarily limited to only one intake of liquid. If you have such symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.

Important! Diarrhea can be caused by solanine contained in potatoes. Digestive upset is one of the symptoms of poisoning with this toxin. If you find green spots and sprouts on potatoes, do not eat such tubers.

Eating potatoes for constipation

People suffering from constipation are advised to consume foods rich in fiber.. This substance improves intestinal motility and promotes the removal of feces. Potatoes meet this requirement. Its tubers are a source of coarse plant fiber, so gastroenterologists prescribe consuming this vegetable for constipation.

Raw potato juice also provides tangible benefits.. The enzymes it contains soften the stool and allow for gentle bowel movements.

The juice is squeezed through cheesecloth from finely grated tubers or using a juicer. For greater efficiency, potatoes are used with the peel, after thoroughly washing them. Under no circumstances should you use old or green potatoes to make juice - they contain a high content of poisonous solanine. Pink potatoes are best because they tend to have fewer pesticides.

For consumption by an adult, 150 ml of juice is enough. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach an hour before eating. Drink undiluted or mix with beet juice.

Important! Only freshly squeezed juice is valuable. During storage, even in the refrigerator, the product loses its beneficial properties.

Remember the individual characteristics of each person’s body. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, which cause constipation, so if the diet is disrupted and improperly prepared, this vegetable can only aggravate the situation.

If you have constipation, gastroenterologists recommend refraining from eating boiled, fried or stewed potatoes.. It is only permissible to eat potato puree.

Although potatoes have a strengthening effect, they are often difficult to give up. If it is not possible to exclude this vegetable from the menu, it is recommended to combine it with other products., which act as laxatives. For example, apples, prunes, beets. Be sure to monitor the condition of your stool, and if constipation worsens, give up potatoes completely.

Potatoes for constipation in children

Children who suffer from constipation, just like adults, should increase the amount of fiber in their diet.It's important to remember that Each age has its own daily intake of this substance.:

• babies aged 1 to 3 years need 19 g of fiber;
• children 4 to 8 years old – 25 g;
• children from 9 to 13 years old: 31 g for boys and 26 g for girls.

Do not suddenly increase the amount of fiber to the required level. The process must be gradual. It is best to give children purees, since it puts the least strain on the digestive tract and contains a lot of liquid. However, it is better to combine it with laxative products.

You can also give potato juice to children.. If your child does not like the taste, mix this product with carrot or beet juice in equal proportions.

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Doctors' recommendations

Such a controversial product as potatoes has not gone unnoticed by nutritionists and gastroenterologists. Experts have studied in detail the composition of tubers and their effect on the gastrointestinal tract of adults and children. Based on research, they talked about the possible harm of this product and made recommendations for use.

O. Medvedev, Doctor of Medical Sciences: “Potatoes are very nutritious and can be used to prepare many different dishes. But a serious drawback of this product is that it can cause excess weight gain. The most harmful to the digestive system are dishes containing fried and deep-fried potatoes.

During frying, potato starch is converted into harmful carbohydrates, which greatly increase blood sugar levels. Fried potatoes can also lead to digestive disorders.It is best to eat boiled or stewed potatoes. It is the safest for digestion and contains the most useful substances.".

V. Golovenko, gastroenterologist: “The main task of an adult when feeding a child is not to harm the endocrine system and not disrupt metabolism. It must be remembered that baby food is no different from adult food except for the size of the portions. A child needs 3-4 servings of complex carbohydrates per day, which are found in potatoes.

Many parents believe that potatoes are unhealthy food and try to reduce them to a minimum in their child’s diet, but in vain. For development, children must get the necessary carbohydrates from food - daily and in sufficient quantities. Moreover, they are slowly broken down into glucose and give a feeling of fullness. Of course, you need to monitor the body’s reaction to potatoes, and if problems with the stomach and intestines occur, it’s worth adjusting the menu.”.

Conclusion

Potatoes are a very controversial product in terms of usefulness. If consumed incorrectly or excessively, both adults and children may develop digestive problems. But if you do not violate the rules for preparing potatoes, they, on the contrary, will help get rid of such unpleasant phenomena as diarrhea and constipation. To do this, follow the instructions for its use, and then potatoes will not only not cause any inconvenience, but will also restore impaired gastrointestinal functions.