French fries: what are the benefits and harms of this food

19.04.2023 04:30

Delicious, golden and juicy French fries are a delicacy that is hard to resist.

They are incredibly tasty and crispy. But are French fries worth eating?

What harm does it cause to health, and how can it be useful for the body? Let's consider the answers to these questions in more detail.

What are French fries?

This is a potato cut into thin strips. The product is fried in hot oil, of which there should be a lot.

Usually, in practice, a special device called a deep fryer is used, but French fries can also be made in an oven.

Photo: © Belnovosti

People of all ages love this potato. French fries are a must-have in fast food menus. The treat is usually served warm. The crust is very crispy on the outside, and the potato is soft inside, which is the main feature of the treat.

What are the health benefits of French fries?

Oddly enough, such a treat can be beneficial to human health. But this is only possible if it contains few chemicals and salts. If you cook French fries correctly, the dish will be beneficial for the body, because the product will retain vitamins of different groups and valuable microelements.

Among the benefits of such a treat, the following points can be highlighted.
• Potatoes contain vitamins of different groups, as well as many valuable minerals. The root vegetable is especially rich in potassium. This means that the product stabilizes the functioning of internal organ systems and makes the immune system strong.
• Potatoes will significantly reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. This means that the risk of developing atherosclerosis is reduced to a minimum.
• The vegetable stabilizes the metabolic process. It will act as an alkali, which is able to neutralize acids. Be sure to add potatoes to your diet if you suffer from kidney disease, gout and arthritis.
• Many will be surprised, but potatoes help to acquire a slim figure. It is enough to eat up to five potatoes twice a day to satisfy excessive appetite and normalize blood pressure.

In addition, the dish reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies and prevents stroke. With the help of this treat, you will be able to cope with high blood pressure.

What is the harm of French fries

Unfortunately, French fries do more harm than good. It is worth considering the most important points.
• French fries have too many calories. The average serving of the treat contains as many as 400 kcal. If you abuse this fast food, extra pounds will not take long to appear, and there is a high risk of obesity.
• French fries contain fat that cannot be called harmless. These are trans fats, which lead to diabetes and malignant tumors. In addition, the components worsen your immunity, so you will suffer from frequent illnesses.
• Such food is useless for the body. French fries, which were fried in deep fat, contain too many empty carbohydrates, but a minimum of protein and fiber.
• Before cooking French fries, the root vegetable is seasoned with a considerable amount of spices and, of course, salt. Excess salt in the body leads to heart attacks, high blood pressure and other problems.
• French fries contain too many carcinogens. This is because the product is fried many times in a row. When heated, the amount of carcinogens only increases.
• If the oil is heated too much, it contains aldehyde. This component can cause Alzheimer's disease in older people.

In addition, French fries are harmful to the digestive organs. If you abuse them, gastritis or a stomach ulcer will develop.

Author: Elena Gutyro Internet resource editor

Content
  1. What are French fries?
  2. What are the health benefits of French fries?
  3. What is the harm of French fries