The entire potato plant contains glycoalkaloids, but the highest concentration is found in the leaves, flowers, "eyes," green skin, and sprouts. The lowest concentration is found in the white body of the potato. Toxicity is increased by physical injury to the plant, low storage temperature, and storage in bright light.
What part of the potato is toxic?
The nerve toxin is produced in the green part of the potato (the leaves, the stem, and any green spots on the skin).
Is the green part of a potato poisonous?
It sounds like a joke, or perhaps just an urban legend that grew out of Dr. Seuss's “Green Eggs and Ham.” But food scientists say this one is no myth. The reality is that green potatoes contain high levels of a toxin, solanine, which can cause nausea, headaches and neurological problems.
Is the stem of a potato poisonous?
Do not eat potato sprouts. They're essentially tiny potato stems, which means they poisonous. Sprouted potatoes have been exposed to conditions favorable to sprouting, which means higher levels of solanine are probably also present in the potato tuber.
Are the tops of potatoes poisonous?
Unlike some other vegetable plants, however, the only edible part a potato produces is the tuber. Potato leaves can be toxic and even some other parts of the plant can cause problems given the right conditions. That's because potatoes protect themselves with solanine.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
What does solanine do to the body?What does it mean when potatoes are green under the skin?
