Here's the real deal:
-Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, which are essential for providing energy.
-They are high in fibre - a baked potato provides almost 12 per cent of a person's daily requirements for this nutrient. Fibre is needed to maintain a healthy digestive system, preventing constipation and lowering the chances of developing colon cancer later in life.
-Potatoes are a very good source of vitamin C and were eaten by English sailors in the 19th century to prevent scurvy, a life-threatening illness. Eaten with the skin on, a medium-sized potato provides 27mg of vitamin C, which is nearly a half of a person's daily need.
-They are a good source of other vitamins and minerals such as folate, vitamin B6, potassium and copper.
Vitamin B6 is needed to make both the hormone adrenaline, which helps us to deal with stress, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which not only help deliver messages from one cell to another in the body but also aid us in regulating our moods.
Folate and copper are essential nutrients in the production of healthy blood cells while potassium is important for the proper functioning of all cells and organs in the body.