7 health benefits of raw potato juice that you OUGHT to know!

Did you know a glass of raw potato juice can help lower cholesterol levels?

We all know that, other than being a healthy vegetable, potato also has a host of medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Whether it s potato slices or potato peels, we have used them vigorously as home remedies for pigmentation and dark circles. However, raw potato juice failed to get the necessary attention despite its various medicinal qualities. Here Luke Coutinho M.D. Alternative Medicine and Holistic Nutritionist talks about the benefits of raw potato juice. Potato is rich in vitamin C, fibre, b-vitamins, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and also has some amount of protein in it. Raw potato juice has anti-inflammatory properties and makes for a therapeutic health drink, he informs. Here are some more health benefits of potatoes.

Here is how raw potato juice helps:

1. It helps to provide relief from arthritic pain: In general, inflammation of joints leads to arthritis, which causes joint pains and other discomforts like restricted mobility, soreness, etc. The most affected arthritic joints are your knees, elbow, shoulders followed by neck and back. It is necessary to reduce the inflammation to counter pain and restore quality of life. While there are medications for the inflammation, raw potato juice also works as an excellent home remedy for arthritis. Since this juice has anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces inflammation and the subsequent pain, especially, in winters when joint pains flair up. Here are five factors that can increase you risk of arthritis in future.
2. It helps improve digestion and blood circulation: Most of our aches, pains and ailments are a result of improper blood circulation. This makes it difficult for many cells in the body to receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. Lack of which makes the cells go weak and sets the stage for various diseases and ailments. Proper digestion and circulation are necessary to ensure that every cell of your body gets adequate nourishment. A glass of raw potato juice can do a lot in this regard. It improves digestion and helps in blood circulation to ensure that every cell of your body is replenished. Here are nine home remedies for better digestion.
3. It helps to maintain the pH balance of the body: By nature, our body has a neutral pH balance. But wrong eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, overdose of medications and a lot of other factors alter this balance and create an acidic environment. Most diseases breed in an acidic environment. This is why many experts recommend eating alkaline foods to maintain the normal pH of the body. Raw potato juice is highly alkaline in nature and does an excellent job of maintaining the pH of the body.
4. It helps to treat gout:Gout is a form of arthritis that develops due to high levels of uric acid in the body. It is also characterised by severe pain, redness and soreness of joints. It often affects the toe joints. An elevated level of uric acid is also an indication that your kidneys might not be functioning to its optimum levels and are unable to remove uric acid from your body. However, raw potato juice can help in countering this problem; it can break down and flush out uric acid from your body. A glass of raw potato juice in the morning is highly recommended for people suffering from gout. Here are seven tips to reduce uric acid levels and prevent gout.
5. It helps to reduce symptoms of gastritis: Acidity, flatulence, bloating, indigestion are common in most people these days. However, raw potato juice helps to get relief from these symptoms too. Just one to two tablespoon of juice if consumed for a fortnight can help relieve most of these symptoms. Here are 10 home remedies for acidity that really works.
6. It helps lower cholesterol: Potatoes are rich in fibre and helps to clean out excess cholesterol from your system. Since they don t contain cholesterol, it makes for a zero-cholesterol food. Another reason why you should try the raw potato juice.
7. It helps in detoxification: Raw potato juice is excellent for detoxification of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and your entire body. It helps you build immunity and fight various aches and pains too.

How to make it: Preparation of raw potato juice is fairly simple. Wash and peel a large-sized potato, cut it into pieces and juice it up with some water in a juicer. Unless you have home-grown organic potatoes avoid juicing the peels as the non-organic ones might have remnants of dirt and pesticides. In case you don t like the flavour, mix it with a quarter cup of carrot or beetroot juice. You can add a teaspoon of ginger juice for flavour too. For best results, have it early in the morning or a small shot of 200ml at night before bedtime.

Word of caution: Every good thing should be taken in moderation. Remember, potatoes are high in potassium. If you are advised to be on low potassium diet, then talk to your nutritionist or doctor before trying this juice.

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