2007-12-01 12:34:33 · 28 answers · asked by R H 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
The Claim: Green Potatoes Are Poisonous
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Published: July 3, 2007
THE FACTS
Green Potatoes: The Problem and the Solution (PDF)It sounds like a joke, or perhaps just an urban legend that grew out of Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham.” But food scientists say this one is no myth. The reality is that green potatoes contain high levels of a toxin, solanine, which can cause nausea, headaches and neurological problems.
Potatoes naturally produce small amounts of solanine as a defense against insects, but the levels increase with prolonged exposure to light and warm temperatures.
The green color is actually caused by high levels of chlorophyll, which by itself is harmless. But it is also a sign that levels of solanine, which is produced at the same time as chlorophyll, have increased as well.
According to a recent report by Alexander Pavlista, a professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, a 100-pound person would have to eat about 16 ounces of a fully green potato to get sick. That is the weight of a large baked potato.
The report noted that most green potatoes never reach the market. Still, to avoid the development of solanine, it is best to store potatoes in cool, dimly lit areas, and to cut away green areas before eating.
Another good rule: if it tastes bitter, don’t eat it. Unlike Dr. Seuss’s entree, this green meal would not have a happy ending.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Green potatoes contain a chemical that can cause sickness.
scitimes@nytimes.com
2007-12-01 12:42:09 · answer #1 · answered by margarita 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What causes a potato to turn green? What happens if I eat green potatoes?
“Greening” is a color change in the potato when it is exposed to light. Avoid eating the green colour because it is bitter and may cause stomach upsets if eaten in large quantities. Remove all green portions on potatoes before eating. Better still, do not eat green potatoes at all. Potatoes displayed in plastic bags by supermarkets can turn green.
2007-12-01 12:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by Jose R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how green the potato's are. If in doubt obviously don't eat them. One thing I can say is cut off the green bit and the rest of the potato should be fine, I've never become ill or had food poisoning from doing this.
2007-12-01 12:39:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
>No. If a potato has a green color it is probably because it was "sunburned"...exposed to enough light that it began to photosynthesize compounds like the plant's leaves and stems do.
The potato is a member of the nightshade family...the leaves and stems contain toxins. The green portions of sun-struck potato tubers are likely to contain toxins also. It's best to avoid eating the green parts of the potato.<
2007-12-01 12:41:41 · answer #4 · answered by Druid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
you might as well eat the leaves if you are going to eat green potatoes
2007-12-01 12:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by SP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do NOT eat the green potato. It will give you stomach cramps.
2007-12-01 12:39:58 · answer #6 · answered by jingles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no,never eat a potato with any green=very bad for stomach)The spud produces&releases some very bad bacterias.
2007-12-01 12:38:05 · answer #7 · answered by fighterfish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait a few days....haha
My mom just found some purple potatoes and she cooked them & they stayed purple even after mash. I did not try them but I heard they taste normal.
But green????
2007-12-01 12:39:10 · answer #8 · answered by Holly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. you can eat them. they just won't taste as good as normal potatoes. ever eaten a fresh green banana? yeah. imagine that.gby.
2007-12-01 12:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by Missy O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I enver knew there were green potatoes...I am now assuming thats what they start out looking like?
2007-12-01 12:37:25 · answer #10 · answered by CHACHAAAAA =DD 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋