While potatoes that have sprouted are not unfit for consumption, tubers that have turned green contain solanine and should be avoided. Explanations with Dr Pierre Francès, general practitioner in Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Are you hesitant to eat a potato that is lying at the bottom of your vegetable drawer just because it has sprouted? Do not panic ! Solanine poisoning, a toxin from the saponin family , is relatively rare given the frequent use in our diet of the famous tuber introduced in France by Antoine-Augustin Parmentier.
A 1979 article published by The United States National Library of Medicine reported 78 cases of poisoning in English schoolchildren who fell ill after eating potatoes for lunch. “ Seventeen boys had to be hospitalized ,” the article reads. Gastrointestinal, circulatory, neurological, and dermatological findings as well as laboratory results were consistent with solanine poisoning. »
Why can a potato be unfit for consumption?
Potatoes can become toxic and unfit for consumption when they have significantly greened after exposure to the sun and large quantities are eaten. In question ? Solanine, a toxin found in many vegetables.
What is solanine? Does this substance represent a danger?
Solanine – a natural substance present in many vegetables belonging to the nightshade family such as tomatoes or eggplants – can be toxic to humans when ingested in high doses .
“ Solanine is a glyco-alkaloid (GA), a substance with a protective effect against certain diseases caused by fungi or insects ,” confirms an article published in August 2013 in the Swiss Medical Review . Solanine is present mainly in flowers, leaves, sprouts and skin, and to a lesser extent in the tuber. Certain genetic factors, but also storage conditions, exposure to light or even bruises produced during harvest, can significantly increase the solanine content. A marked bitterness , or even burning sensations, can then lead one to suspect the presence of a high level of glyco-alkaloid, a substance usually imperceptible to the taste buds. »
What are the risks ?
Rest assured, the risks of dying from solanine poisoning by consuming potatoes that have turned green are extremely low.
Doses between 3 and 6 mg/kg body weight can be fatal. But, given the low concentration of this glyco-alkaloid agent in potatoes, you would have to eat several kilos of it in a single meal to die from it. Dr Pierre Francès, general practitioner
On the other hand, it is entirely possible to experience digestive discomfort from a dose of 1 mg/kg of body weight.
What are the symptoms of solanine poisoning?
Symptoms of solanine poisoning most often occur within seven to fourteen hours of ingestion and can include vomiting, headache, and diarrhea . “ Clinically, after ingestion, several manifestations are classically observed and result from the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory action of solanine ,” adds Dr Pierre Francès. Oropharyngeal disorders may appear, intense sweating, nausea, vomiting , headache and diarrhea - secondary to the cytotoxic action of solanine on the cell membrane, modifying intestinal absorption - sometimes with fever, or even a malaise, loss of consciousness and respiratory distress. Hallucinations, agitation and lightheadedness can also complete the clinical picture. »
What is the treatment for solanine poisoning?
The treatment of solanine poisoning is primarily symptomatic. “ We will prescribe antispasmodics , antiemetics against vomiting and analgesics to relieve any abdominal pain ,” confirms Dr. Pierre Francès.
Are potato sprouts toxic? Can I eat potatoes that have sprouted?
It is entirely possible to eat potatoes that have sprouted.
- As a precaution, remove the sprouts using a knife or peeler, then peel the tubers and remove the greenish parts if necessary.
- Wash thoroughly and cook as usual.
Peeling the vegetables well eliminates all traces of solanine; cooking does not eliminate it, in general, since it only disappears at a temperature greater than or equal to 243°C. Dr Pierre Frances
Can we eat soft potatoes? Are they still edible?
Are your potatoes no longer fresh? No worries. Here too, the risks of poisoning are rare. “ Soft potatoes do not present a health risk ,” replies Dr. Pierre Francès. On the other hand, the fact that they are soft indicates that their nutritional quality is impaired. »
How to prevent potatoes from germinating too quickly? Where to store tubers?
To prevent your potatoes from germinating too quickly, it is recommended not to wash the potatoes – the soil that covers them allows them to be preserved for longer – and to store them in a dry place. sheltered from light: for example, in a canvas bag in a cellar or storeroom.
Tomatoes and eggplants: what are the risks of solanine poisoning?
Besides potatoes, solanine is also found in eggplants and tomatoes . “ Solanine disappears when the fruit or tuber reaches maturity ,” assure the gardeners of Pas à Pas, a place for sharing, experimentation and training in agroecology and permaculture in Hoeilaart, near Brussels. Eating a green tomato is not going to cause serious problems. Symptoms only appear when a person eats too much. » In short: you just need to be a little patient to enjoy the best that nature has to offer!
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