A nutritionist has revealed a cooking method for potatoes that could enhance their anti-inflammatory benefits. Spanish food expert Sandra Moñino Costa shared her surprising insights on TikTok.
“Did you know that potato and sweet potato can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory foods depending on the cooking method?”, she asked her 196,000 followers. “This is the right one.”
In her video, Sandra began by peeling a large ‘ordinary’ potato and a sweet potato as her oven warmed up to 200°C. She then cut the root vegetables into chip-like pieces and seasoned them with turmeric, pepper, and ginger.
These spices are not only tasty but also potentially beneficial to health. A 2020 study praised curcumin, a key compound in turmeric, for its anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, among other advantages.
Other research suggests that consuming ginger can alleviate muscle pain and even improve conditions for patients with osteoarthritis, a disease caused by joint inflammation.
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Sandra continued: “If you roast them and then eat them the next day, the starch in the potato becomes resistant starch. It ends up being the perfect food for the bacteria we have in the colon.
“These bacteria produce butyric acid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. And to think that many times potato has been taken away from us when we were on a diet.
“…You already know that the combination of some spices can bring you anti-inflammatory power, as in the case of turmeric, pepper and ginger.” Sandra then cranked up her oven to a sizzling 230°C, drizzled her potatoes with olive oil, and baked them for a quarter of an hour.
Upon revealing the final product, she proudly declared: “And look at these delicious potatoes right here.”
Chronic inflammation is a persistent health issue where the body’s typical responses are off-kilter. It can be set off by various factors, with symptoms ranging from bodily pain and constant tiredness to gastrointestinal troubles, weight fluctuations, and recurrent infections.
John Hopkins Medicine advises that alongside roasting, other cooking methods like baking, steaming, and stir-frying should be considered for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
Its advice reads: “And don’t feel bad about resorting to the microwave when you’re short on time. Microwaving cooks and heats by activating water molecules, and it is actually healthier than frying or grilling at high heat.
“Also, bear in mind that the benefit of healthy items like fish and vegetables can be reversed if you are not careful with sauces and dressings. Many of these condiments and extras are high in inflammatory ingredients such as sugar and trans fat as well as sodium.”
