Russet Potato – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes

russet potato is a type of potato that is large, with dark brown skin and few eyes. The flesh is white, dry, and mealy, and it is suitable for baking, mashing, and french fries. Russet potatoes are also known as Idaho potatoes in the United States.[rx]

Russet Potatoes Quick Facts
Name: Russet Potatoes
Colors Brown
Shapes Medium to large, oblong or slightly flattened oval
Flesh colors Pale white
Taste Mild, earthy
Calories 284 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients Vitamin B6 (81.38%)
Carbohydrate (49.32%)
Iron (40.00%)
Copper (35.56%)
Potassium (34.98%)

The russet potato is a type of large potato which is usually oblong in shape with few eyes and dark brown skin. This potato is widely grown in North America. It has white flesh which is really dry and mealy that making it suitable for baking, mashing, and French fries. In the United States, it is also known as Idaho potatoes. Sometimes it is known as baking potato or old potato. There are two varieties of Russet potatoes: Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Russet Burbank is oblong in shape with light brown skin. It has white flesh that bakes up light and fluffy.

Origin

In order to upgrade the disease resistance of Irish potatoes, Luther Burbank selected potato which is known as Russet Burbank. It was not patented as the potatoes propagated from tubers were not authorized patents in the United States.

Name Russet Potatoes
Flesh Pale white, firm, dense
Shape Medium to large, oblong or slightly flattened oval
Texture Floury, dry, light and fluffy
Skin Brown
Color Yellow
Flavor Mild, earthy, medium sugar content
Season Early winter through late spring
Varieties
  • Russet Burbank
  • Russet Norkotah
  • Russet Nugget
  • Frontier Russet
  • Rio Grande Russett
  • Centennial Russet
  • Ranger Russet
  • Russet Silverton
  • Umatilla Russet
Major Nutritions Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 1.058 mg (81.38%)
Carbohydrate 64.11 g (49.32%)
Iron, Fe 3.2 mg (40.00%)
Copper, Cu 0.32 mg (35.56%)
Potassium, K 1644 mg (34.98%)
Phosphorus, P 212 mg (30.29%)
Manganese, Mn 0.682 mg (29.65%)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 24.8 mg (27.56%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 4.031 mg (25.19%)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 1.136 mg (22.72%)
Calories in 1 potato large (3″ to 4-1/4″ dia.), 299 g 284 Kcal.

Nutritional value of Potatoes, Russet, flesh and skin, baked

Serving Size:1 potato large (3″ to 4-1/4″ dia.), 299 g

Calories 284 Kcal. Calories from Fat 3.51 Kcal.

Proximity Amount % DV
Water 222.61 g N/D
Energy 284 Kcal N/D
Energy 1187 kJ N/D
Protein 7.86 g 15.72%
Total Fat (lipid) 0.39 g 1.11%
Ash 4.04 g N/D
Carbohydrate 64.11 g 49.32%
Total dietary Fiber 6.9 g 18.16%
Total Sugars 3.23 g N/D
Sucrose 1.17 g N/D
Glucose (dextrose) 1.11 g N/D
Fructose 0.96 g N/D
Starch 52.18 g N/D
Minerals Amount % DV
Calcium, Ca 54 mg 5.40%
Iron, Fe 3.2 mg 40.00%
Magnesium, Mg 90 mg 21.43%
Phosphorus, P 212 mg 30.29%
Potassium, K 1644 mg 34.98%
Sodium, Na 42 mg 2.80%
Zinc, Zn 1.05 mg 9.55%
Copper, Cu 0.32 mg 35.56%
Manganese, Mn 0.682 mg 29.65%
Selenium, Se 1.5 µg 2.73%
Fluoride 135.1 µg 3.38%
Vitamins Amount % DV
Water-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.2 mg 16.67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.144 mg 11.08%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 4.031 mg 25.19%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 1.136 mg 22.72%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 1.058 mg 81.38%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 78 µg 19.50%
Folate, food 78 µg N/D
Folate, DEF 78 µg N/D
Choline 44.9 mg 8.16%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 24.8 mg 27.56%
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A, RAE 3 µg 0.43%
Vitamin A, IU 30 IU N/D
Beta Carotene 18 µg N/D
Betaine 0.6 mg N/D
Lutein + zeaxanthin 57 µg N/D
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.21 mg 1.40%
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 6 µg 5.00%
Lipids Amount % DV
Fatty acids, total saturated 0.096 g N/D
capric acid 10:00 (decanoic acid) 0.003 g N/D
Lauric acid (dodecanoic acid) 12:00 0.012 g N/D
Myristic acid  14:00(Tetradecanoic acid) 0.003 g N/D
Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) 0.063 g N/D
Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) 0.015 g N/D
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.009 g N/D
Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid) 0.003 g N/D
Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) 0.003 g N/D
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.161 g N/D
Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) 0.123 g N/D
Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) 0.039 g N/D
Amino acids Amount % DV
Tryptophan 0.081 g 18.41%
Threonine 0.257 g 14.60%
Isoleucine 0.254 g 15.19%
Leucine 0.374 g 10.12%
Lysine 0.41 g 12.26%
Methionine 0.123 g N/D
Cystine 0.093 g N/D
Phenylalanine 0.311 g N/D
Tyrosine 0.185 g N/D
Valine 0.392 g 18.56%
Arginine 0.389 g N/D
Histidine 0.132 g 10.71%
Alanine 0.239 g N/D
Aspartic acid 1.839 g N/D
Glutamic acid 1.346 g N/D
Glycine 0.218 g N/D
Proline 0.242 g N/D
Serine 0.284 g N/D
Flavonols Amount % DV
Quercetin 2.2 mg N/D

*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ 

Health Benefits

Vitamin C and Iron

The potato may not seem like a food rich in vitamin C, but a large baked russet potato provides 25 milligrams of vitamin C, giving women and men, respectively, 33 percent and 28 percent of their recommended daily intake for vitamin C. The vitamin C in potatoes can help your body absorb its 3.2 milligrams of iron as well. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men get 8 milligrams of iron a day and women get 18 milligrams. Vitamin C and iron benefit your immune system and circulation.

Heart Health

Eating russet potatoes can help protect against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. A large baked russet has 7 grams of fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol, reducing your risk of developing plaque in your arteries. It also provides more than one-third of your daily requirement for potassium, a mineral that works with sodium to maintain a healthy balance of water in your body and keep your blood pressure low. With only 290 calories, a potato can help you control your weight, another heart-healthy factor.

Metabolism

Your body needs B vitamins to help it convert food into energy. A russet potato contains 30 percent of the niacin and 10 to 20 percent of the thiamine, riboflavin and folate you need each day. It also gives you four-fifths of your recommended daily intake for vitamin B-6 and 8 grams of protein. Your brain needs the presence of both vitamin B-6 and the amino acids in protein to make neurotransmitters that help your brain and body function optimally.

Bone Density

To avoid a loss of bone density, which can result in fractures and osteoporosis, you need an adequate intake of magnesium and phosphorus, minerals that play a role in the formation of bones and teeth. A large baked russet potato is a rich source of these nutrients, with about 30 percent of the magnesium and phosphorus the IOM recommends you get each day. Magnesium also promotes normal nerve and muscle function, while phosphorus helps your body store energy from food.

Vitamins

Consuming a medium russet potato provides you with 0.6 milligrams of vitamin B-6, or 31 percent of the DV; 14.4 milligrams of vitamin C, or 24 percent of the DV; 2.3 milligrams of niacin, or 12 percent of the DV; 45 micrograms of folate, or 11 percent of the DV; 0.1 milligrams of thiamine, or 8 percent of the DV; and 0.1 milligrams of riboflavin, or 5 percent of the DV. Vitamin B-6, niacin, folate, thiamine and riboflavin are B vitamins, which turn the food you eat into energy, help your nervous system function properly and keep your hair, skin, eyes and liver healthy. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and is important for growing new tissues and repairing wounds.

Minerals

Russet potatoes are also a good source of minerals, with each medium potato providing 1.9 milligrams of iron, or 10 percent of the DV; 52 milligrams of magnesium, or 13 percent of the DV; 123 milligrams of phosphorus, or 12 percent of the DV; 0.6 milligrams of zinc, or 4 percent of the DV; and 31 milligrams of calcium, or 3 percent of the DV. Iron is essential for forming red blood cells and transporting oxygen around your body, and magnesium is needed for heart, nerve and immune system function.

References

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