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Yes. You can eat potatoes in a moderate quantity if you suffer from arthritis. Potatoes contain a chemical called solanine which causes inflammation if ingested in large quantities. However, there is no evidence that confirms solanine induces arthritis. A website suggests the reports (if any) of arthritis after eating potatoes are purely anecdotal. While it may be true for some people, there is no scientific evidence that can prove potatoes can worsen arthritis symptoms, including inflammation.
On the contrary, we found studies that suggest potatoes can be beneficial for arthritis patients. A study has shown that potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C which are essential for reducing inflammation caused by arthritis. However, vitamin C is destroyed because potatoes are always cooked before eating.
Another study suggests that ‘Potato is a starchy food that provides key nutrients to diet, including vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber. Moreover, several potato components contribute to lower blood pressure, to improve lipid profile and to decrease markers of inflammation’.
Still, you must not eat too many potatoes. The available studies suggest that unregulated consumption of potatoes may lead to obesity and glycoalkaloids toxicity to cause acute gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Although there is no link between potatoes and obesity, eating junk food like french fries may cause obesity. Potatoes are not bad but the way they’re cooked can cause damage.
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