May 11, 2024, 5:22 am | Read time: 3 minutes
To ward off pests, potatoes produce the natural toxin solanine. Certain conditions can accelerate this process–that’s why they should always be stored properly.
Who hasn’t experienced it? You look away for a moment, and suddenly the potatoes are shriveled or heavily sprouting. According to the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE), you should dispose of them in this state or if they are very green. That’s because higher levels of solanine are then present in the tuber. This is a natural toxin that potatoes use to protect themselves from pests and predators. To prevent rapid production, potatoes must be stored correctly.
How to Store Potatoes Optimally
Potatoes should be stored in the dark. The reason: In light, they sprout faster and produce solanine. Also, when preparing potatoes, cutting away green spots and sprouts generously significantly reduces the content of the toxic substance, according to the BZfE.
Solanine is also found in potato skins: To be safe, remove them. If you want to keep the skin on, it’s best to use the freshest potatoes with unblemished skins.
There’s another trick to prevent potatoes from sprouting. Simply place an apple with the tubers. Why the ripening gas in apples affects potatoes differently can be read here.
When Solanine Poisoning Can Occur
If you follow these rules, you don’t need to fear solanine poisoning. According to a rough estimate by the BZfE, adults would need to eat more than ten servings of boiled potatoes a day for that to happen.
Another tip: Do not reuse potato cooking water for other foods, as solanine leaches into the water–and heat does not destroy it.
How Solanine Works
Solanine has a slightly bitter taste. Consuming it in larger amounts can cause an unpleasant scratchy and burning sensation in the throat. It can also lead to stomach issues, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and in the worst case, consciousness disturbances.
The role of natural toxins in vegetables
How to prevent potatoes from sprouting
Potato is the Poisonous Plant of the Year 2022
The natural toxin solanine also earned the potato the title of Poisonous Plant of the Year in 2022. It was selected by the Botanical Special Garden Wandsbek, which chooses a poisonous plant each year to raise awareness about the toxic effects of certain plants.
Tomatoes Also Contain Toxins
Tomatoes also produce toxic substances. Tomatine is mainly found in unripe, green specimens. However, from a health perspective, you don’t necessarily need to cut away the green stem base that even ripe tomatoes often have, according to the BZfE. Tomatine is less harmful than the solanine compounds found in potatoes. There’s no need to worry about tomato varieties that remain green even when ripe.
With material from dpa