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Potato are best known for their carbohydrate content. The predominant form of this carbohydrate is starch. A small but significant portion of this starch is resistant to digestion by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine, and so reaches the large intestine essentially intact.
The amount of resistant starch in potatoes depends much on preparation methods. Cooking and then cooling potatoes significantly increases resistant starch. For example, cooked potato starch contains about 7% resistant starch, which increases to about 13% upon cooling.
Potatoes contain vitamins and minerals that have been identified as vital to human nutrition. Humans can subsist healthily on a diet of potatoes and milk; the latter supplies Vitamin A and Vitamin D. A medium potato (150g/5.3 oz) with the skin provides 27 mg of vitamin C, 620 mg of potassium, 0.2 mg vitamin B6 and trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. Moreover, the fiber content of a potato with skin (2 grams) equals that of many whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals.
Potatoes are often broadly classified as high on the glycemic index (GI) and so are often excluded from the diets of individuals trying to follow a "low GI" eating regimen. In fact, the GI of potatoes can vary considerably depending on type (such as red, russet, white, or Prince Edward), origin (where it was grown), preparation methods (i.e., cooking method, whether it is eaten hot or cold, whether it is mashed or cubed or consumed whole, etc), and with what it is consumed (i.e., the addition of various high fat or high protein toppings) (Fernandes et al. 2006).
Variety (IN WHITE) :
Name: SantaAvailability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Round shape Origin: Balochistan.
Name: DiamondAvailability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Oval Origin: Punjab.
Name: SantainaUsage: Sugar Free, (For Chips) Availability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Oval Origin: Punjab.
Variety (IN RED) :
Name: AstrexAvailability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Oval Origin: Punjab.
Name: CarodaiAvailability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Oval Origin: Punjab.
Name: BurnaAvailability (Fresh): November to May Availability (Cold Storage): June to October Shape: Round / Oval Origin: Punjab.
Name: Astrex + CarodaiUsage: Sugar Free, (For Chips) Availability: September to November Shape: Oval Origin: Balochistan.
Seasonal Availability:Round the year
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This resistant starch is considered to have similar physiological effects and health benefits as fiber: it provides bulk, offers protection against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and possibly even reduces fat storage.
Potatoes also contain an assortment of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and polyphenols. The notion that "all of the potato's nutrients" are found in the skin is an urban legend. While the skin does contain approximately half of the total dietary fiber, more than 50% of the nutrients are found within the potato itself. The cooking method used can significantly impact the nutrient availability of the potato.