Potatoes for Food and Nutritional Security

Abstract

Potatoes have been used as food since ages, however, investigations on its nutritional significance have increased its importance as alternative for both food and nutritional security. The global trend of potato production and per capita availability clearly indicates a decrease of production in developed world and accelerated growth in developing world including Asia and Africa. These two regions of the world also have higher number of undernourished, therefore, higher per capita availability of potatoes in these regions could substantiate the food and nutritional requirements of the populations. The chapter describes in brief, the nutritional significance of potatoes in terms of its energy value, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and health-promoting compounds. The significance of all these compounds have been discussed in length under different chapters. It is hoped that the contents of the book shall provide a platform for masses to understand the role of potatoes in food and nutritional security and also help in removing few misconceptions associated with potato consumption.