Posted on 06/25/2007 3:22:59 PM PDT by blam
Source: Society of Chemical Industry
Date: June 25, 2007
Potato Salad May Help the Immune System
Science Daily It has long been known that eating potatoes is good for bowel health, but new research suggests that they may also have a beneficial effect on the whole immune system. Especially if eaten cold or in a potato salad, Anne Pichon reports in Chemistry & Industry.
Spanish researchers found that growing pigs fed large quantities of raw potato starch (RPS) had a healthier bowel. Not a surprise, but they also found that RPS pigs had decreased levels of white blood cells, such as leucocytes and lymphocytes in their blood. White blood cells are produced as a result of inflammation or disease, generally when the body is challenged.
The general down-regulation of leucocytes observed by the Spanish researchers suggests an overall beneficial effect, a generally more healthy body, according to immunology expert Lena Ohman at the Department of Internal Medicine, Göteborg University, Sweden. A reduction in leucocyte levels of about 15% was observed in the RPS pigs. Lower lymphocyte levels are also indicative of reduced levels of inflammation, but according to Ohman, the observed reduction in both lymphocyte density and lymphocyte apoptosis by the Spanish researchers is surprising.
Pigs were fed RPS over 14 weeks in what is the longest study of it kind on the effect of starch on bowel health (Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture doi:10.1002/jsfa.2835). Study leader José Francisco Pérez at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, said: 'The use of raw potato starch in this experiment is designed to simulate the effects of a diet high in resistant starch' says Pérez.
Humans do not eat raw potatoes, but they do eat a lot of foods that contain resistant starch, such as cold boiled potatoes, legumes, grains, green bananas, pasta and cereals About 10% of the starch eaten by human is resistant starch - starch that is not digested in the small intestine and so is shunted into the large intestine where it ferments.
Starch consumption is thought to reduce the risk of large bowel cancer and may also have an effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ohman's team previously found that the overall lymphocyte levels do not vary for IBS patients, but that lymphocytes are transferred from the peripheral blood to the gut, which support the hypothesis of IBS being at least partially an inflammatory disorder. She says the decrease in lymphocytes observed by the Spanish is therefore interesting, and a diet of resistant starch may be worth trying in IBS patients.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Society of Chemical Industry.
I dunno. It’s real Scotch he drinks on stage, large tumblers of it.
Not according to the USDA....
...gotta stand up for my Commie-pinko state....
“Last I heard, potatoes also are the highest yield crop there is.”
That statement needs some qualifiers. Highest yield per acre, or per acre foot of water, or per man hour, or per soil preparation dollar, per total cost, per seed to actual crop harvest percentage are just a few that I come to mind.
Remember, I was in livestock production not dirt farming.
Diana, Do you make your own compost? Do you grow baking potatoes? Do you cut up hot pepers to add into your potatoe salad or is my wife the only one who does that?
Why sugar? I don’t know, but there is never any potato salad left when I take it to potlucks :)
Also found an outstanding “rip-off” recipe for KFC’s Coleslaw recipe. Gone in 60 seconds!
WHAT??????
I can see that this guy doesn't know what he's talking about with this point.
I eat raw potatos on a regular basis.
Well I am shock I just read Ger Pot Sal has a half cup of sugar!
I think for me I would modify it. I guess sometimes sugar is needed but in our society it seems to sweet for me.
But than I like a sharp taste.
If I had a choice of seconds or deserts I would take the mac and cheese or of meat!:)
If you have a Fred Meyer deli near you, try theirs. It’s the only store-bought American potato salad I don’t have to add mayo, mustard, pickles, vinegar, salt, or pepper to, in order to eat it. I really like it and on a hot day it’s a lot neater than standing in the kitchen scrubbing, peeling, boiling, cooling, and cutting up a few pounds of potatoes.
Sure, NOW you tell them.
That made me smile.
Something I like is good for me? Who woulda thunk it?
I heard second-hand that marinating flank steak in Italian dressing (and nothing else) produces a tender steak with fine flavor.
Idahos and Russets are best for baked, mashed and french Fried potatos. For potato salad you want potatos that hold their shape - the waxy types: reds, yellows and rounds. When I make potato salad (either American or German) I try to get new potatos - the smallest waxiest ones I can find. For baked or mashed you want just the opposite - old, floury, mealy potatoes.
I found this recipe at recipezaar.com; it’s not quite what you listed for ingredients yet it could be converted easily enough. Was your dad’s Dutch Slaw served hot or cold?
Pennsylvania Dutch Hot Slaw For Sausages
http://www.recipezaar.com/59141
Fried sausages or hot smoked sausages are placed on top of this hot slaw. Serve them with plenty of mashed potatoes.
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups shredded cabbage, well packed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream
1. Melt butter in a large frying pan.
2. Add cabbage and stir until well coated with fat.
3. Cook 5-8 minutes over low heat, stirring often.
4. The cabbage should be softened, but not fried.
5. Place in a warm bowl.
6. Add remaining ingredients and toss together until thoroughly blended.
I’ve done that. You’re thinking of London Broil?
Another thing we use is called Spiedie Sauce. It’s something popular at the NYS Fair that you can buy in the stores and it’s great for marinating chicken.
That is good to read. If there’s one thing I can’t abide, it’s a mustard snob.
;-)
You’re right -— I knew I wasn’t naming the steak correctly. The woman said tri-tip steak, which we also call London Broil in the NW.
I've heard of this method before. You can grow enough potatos to feed an army in just a couple of square feet. The heat absorbed by the black tires help spur more potato growth. The trick is to not over-water. Potatoes do best in dry soil. This method can produce up to 10 lbs. of potatoes per tire. That ain't hay.
If you add vinegar to your potato salad, a little bit of sugar helps balance the flavor.
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