potato

before becoming a staple crop in many countries , potato, was first cultivated in peru and bolivia it has since become a staple crop in many countries and has spread around the world with China Russia Poland the USA Ukraine Germany as its major producers potato is a starchy tuberous vegetabel from the solanaceae or nightshade family according to the us department of agriculture it is considered to be the fourth most consumed crop in the world after rice wheat and corn there are about 5000 potato varieties worldwide with varying colors sizes and sugar content good source of vitamin CB potassium and manganese best for immunity reduces incidence of common cold and its duration increases serum levels of antibodies activates neutrophils blood cells that destroys microorganisms protect host cells against oxidative stress caused by infections promotes killing of invading microorganisms in the respiratory tract enhances the immune system increases the ability of white blood celss to engulf microbes the heart blood blood vessels helps lower blood pressure prevents hypertension by keeping homocysteine levels low scrapes bad cholesterol out of the arteries and blood vessels