Summary: When exposed to light, potatoes produce a toxin called solanine. It protects them from insects and bacteria, but it's toxic to humans. Greening in potatoes is a good indicator of solanine.
How toxic are green potatoes?
Solanine is considered a neurotoxin, and ingestion by humans can cause nausea and headaches and can lead to serious neurological problems and even death if enough is consumed. A recent study suggested that a 16-oz (450-gram) fully green potato is enough to make a small adult ill.
Which toxin is present in green potato?
Glycoalkaloids are a group of toxins that are naturally present in potatoes, with concentrations highest in the sprouts and peel of potatoes. The levels can also increase when potatoes are damaged or when potatoes are exposed to light for prolonged periods.
Can you survive solanine poisoning?
Solanine poisoning: symptoms Most potato poisoning victims recover fully, although fatalities are known, especially when victims are undernourished or do not receive suitable treatment. Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 hours after ingestion, but may occur as rapidly as 30 minutes after eating high-solanine foods.
Is it OK to eat potatoes with green skin?
There are technical terms for what is happening, basically the potato is producing this green as it is trying to revert back to growing a plant, and it produces chlorophyll which is not toxic. The other substance produced is called solanin, which can be bad if consumed in large quantities.
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