Can Potato Juice Cure Infections? (2024)

Are potatoes healthy?

Potatoes are naturally low in fat and contain many biologically active compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and antioxidants. A medium-sized baked potato contains more than 25% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. Potatoes are also a good source of vitamin B6 and potassium.

Which potato is the healthiest?

Potatoes with red and purple flesh contain higher amounts of antioxidants than yellow or white potatoes. Cooking can affect the nutritional content of potatoes, and unpeeled potatoes retain more nutrients than peeled potatoes after cooking. Boiling potatoes causes greater losses of nutrients than baking, roasting, or frying. Since potato skin is a good source of dietary fiber, skin peeling reduces the fiber content of potatoes.

What is potato juice good for?

Although potatoes are good source of vitamin C, there is no evidence that consumption of potato juice is effective in treating infections such as strep throat. Potato juice is used in some European countries as an antacid, and the results of at least one study suggest that freshly squeezed potato juice may improve symptoms of indigestion. Potato juice may also have beneficial effects on inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Some of the compounds found in potato juice may also help protect against cancer growth, although there is currently not enough evidence to support the use of potato juice for cancer prevention.

Is it good to put raw potato on your feet when you’re sick?

Although some people believe that placing raw potato slices in your sock can help treat illnesses, there is no proven evidence that this practice is actually helpful. When raw potato slices are exposed to air (or placed in socks), a chemical reaction occurs that causes black or brown discoloration of the potato. While some people may attribute the discoloration to the potato drawing toxins out of the body, this process actually represents a natural oxidation reaction that is unrelated to detoxification.

Can potatoes treat infections?

Potatoes, tomatoes, and other plants are susceptible to infection caused by plant-based bacteria. One of these bacterial species was recently found to produce an antifungal drug, solanimycin. As an antifungal drug, solanimycin may be effective in treating certain types of yeast infections that affect potato plants, but it has not been shown to be effective in treating infections in humans.

Can potatoes make you sick?

Glycoalkaloids, including solanine and chaconine, are biologically active compounds found naturally in potatoes. Glycoalkaloids may help decrease blood glucose levels and reduce inflammation but can also cause nausea, vomiting, and other unwanted gastrointestinal symptoms when consumed in high amounts. Higher amounts of glycoalkaloids are found in potatoes that are green or exposed to light, and because of this it’s safest to avoid consumption of green skinned or sprouted potatoes.

What do you do if potatoes make you sick?

If unwanted or unexpected symptoms develop after eating a potato or drinking potato juice, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available atwww.poison.organd by phone at1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler atosterthaler@poison.org.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Do not use potatoes or potato juice to treat human infections, including strep throat.
  • To maximize health benefits of potatoes, eat the skin of the potato as well as its flesh.
  • Avoid eating potatoes that have green skin or sprouts.

This Really Happened

In 2023, multiple TikTok videos promoted the use of raw potato juice as a natural method of curing strep throat. One video suggested that consumption of six to eight ounces of potato juice twice daily can eliminate the signs and symptoms of strep throat within two to three days. Another video creator reported that her daughter’s strep throat symptoms were quickly eliminated after she drank potato juice. Fortunately, many other influencers subsequently added videos that advised viewers to never treat strep throat by drinking potato juice.
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Docs slam TikTok potato juice ‘cure’ for strep throat: ‘Dangerous’ (New York Post)

Potatoes (NutritionValue.org)

References

Brown C. Antioxidant in potato. Am J Pot Res. 2005;82:163-172.

Camire ME, Kubow S, Donnelly DJ. Potatoes and human health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Nov;49(10):823-40.

Chrubasik S, Chrubasik C, Torda T, Madisch A. Efficacy and tolerability of potato juice in dyspeptic patients: a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2006 Jan;13(1-2):11-5.

Kang K, Cho Y, Kim ML. Enzymatic discoloration of raw potato tubers: with special reference to the formation and inhibition of dopachrome. Am Potato J. 1983;60(6 pt. 2):451-460.

Kowalczewski PŁ, Olejnik A, Wieczorek MN, Zembrzuska J, Kowalska K, Lewandowicz J, Lewandowicz G. Bioactive Substances of Potato Juice Reveal Synergy in Cytotoxic Activity against Cancer Cells of Digestive System Studied In Vitro. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 26;15(1):114.

Liu RH. Health-promoting components of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Adv Nutr. 2013 May 1;4(3):384S-92S.

Matilla MA, Monson RE, Murphy A, Schicketanz M, Rawlinson A, Duncan C, Mata J, Leeper F, Salmond GPC. Solanimycin: Biosynthesis and Distribution of a New Antifungal Antibiotic Regulated by Two Quorum-Sensing Systems. mBio. 2022 Dec 20;13(6):e0247222.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Do not use potatoes or potato juice to treat human infections, including strep throat.
  • To maximize health benefits of potatoes, eat the skin of the potato as well as its flesh.
  • Avoid eating potatoes that have green skin or sprouts.

This Really Happened

In 2023, multiple TikTok videos promoted the use of raw potato juice as a natural method of curing strep throat. One video suggested that consumption of six to eight ounces of potato juice twice daily can eliminate the signs and symptoms of strep throat within two to three days. Another video creator reported that her daughter’s strep throat symptoms were quickly eliminated after she drank potato juice. Fortunately, many other influencers subsequently added videos that advised viewers to never treat strep throat by drinking potato juice.
Can Potato Juice Cure Infections? (2024)

FAQs

Is potato good for infection? ›

Do not use potatoes or potato juice to treat human infections, including strep throat. To maximize health benefits of potatoes, eat the skin of the potato as well as its flesh. Avoid eating potatoes that have green skin or sprouts.

Does potato juice cure strep? ›

Dr. Zachary Rubin, a pediatric allergist who is active on TikTok, explained in a clip that while foods such as potatoes might treat strep symptoms, they do “not kill the bacteria. You need antibiotics for that.”

Do potatoes help fight viruses? ›

Putting potatoes in your socks cannot cure cold or other ailments. There's no medical research that shows that it works. Eating potatoes, however, may help boost your immune system and help you beat a cold or flu.

What are the benefits of drinking raw potato juice? ›

Potatoes can also be used as juice and have amazing benefits; they contain vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc
  • Natural anti-inflammatory.
  • Improves cardiovascular health.
  • Energetic.
  • Eyes, skin, and teeth health, and also the nervous system.
  • Helps indigestion.
  • Cleans the skin.
  • Reduces bloating.
Sep 30, 2022

What can I use to draw out an infection? ›

A poultice can treat infection by killing bacteria and drawing out the infection. The use of poultices made of herbs, mud, or clay for infection is ancient. Recently, researchers discovered that a poultice made of OMT Blue Clay may help fight certain types of disease-causing bacteria when applied to wounds.

What are the side effects of drinking potato juice? ›

Drinking potato juice can cause heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea. It is LIKELY UNSAFE to eat damaged potatoes, green potatoes, and sprouts. These can contain poisonous chemicals that cannot be destroyed by cooking.

Can potatoes draw out toxins? ›

Experts say that there is no evidence that potatoes are an effective method of drawing out toxins or helping people get over an illness faster. While participating in the trend is not really harmful or dangerous, experts do not recommend trying it.

Can I drink potato juice every day? ›

Potato juice can be prepared daily with raw, unpeeled and well-washed potatoes. It is important to avoid using potatoes with dark spots, a greenish color or that have sprouts.

Are potatoes antibacterial? ›

HPLC analysis revealed that caffeic, chlorogenic, and neochlorogenic acids are the main chemical compounds found in potato peel extract and responsible for its antimicrobial property.

How to use potatoes for inflammation? ›

Sprains, inflammation: finely grate raw potatoes, wrap in gauze and place over the affected area. If you wish, you can wrap another cloth around it. Leave to work for approx. 10 - 20 minutes, repeat as required.

Why do potatoes turn black on feet? ›

However, according to the Idaho potato commission, when a sliced raw potato is exposed to air, it will turn dark. That's because it's going through a process called oxidation. "It's not really indicative of toxins being removed from your body, more of a reaction that is taking place within the potato," Dr.

Who should not drink potato juice? ›

In general, people should disregard drinking raw potato juice as a health trend. “Do not treat your child with potato juice if they have severe throat symptoms,” Mughal said in his TikTok. Not properly treating a sore throat can lead to further issues.

How long does it take for potato juice to work? ›

Typically, potato juice face masks should be left on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. This allows the active compounds in the potato to effectively penetrate and work their magic on the skin. Avoid leaving the mask on for too long, as this could lead to excessive drying or irritation.

What to mix with potato juice? ›

What You Have To Do
  1. Mix the potato juice with honey.
  2. Blend it well and apply to your face and neck.
  3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes (until it dries) and then wash it off.
Nov 10, 2023

Does putting a potato in your sock work? ›

There is no science to back that potatoes in your socks can really cure you.

Is potato good for inflammation? ›

Potato contains anti-inflammatory components such as resistant starch, fiber, and anthocyanins. Given the wide variation in potato germplasm for these compounds, there exists an opportunity to further develop potato as a potent anti-inflammatory staple crop.

Are potatoes good for healing? ›

Potatoes poultices have been used for hundreds of years to draw out infection and relieve inflammation. A poultice is made by grating or chopping the potato sometimes a cooked and mashed potatoes may be used although generally it is raw.

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