The native of African wild potato are grasslands and woodlands in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It has been used as an herbal supplement to treat many conditions moreover in South Africans, because it contains many health benefits, or you can also read health benefits potatoes.
Some researchers also has been studied the potential benefits of African wild potato to join mainstream medicine, also as substitute of rice or you can read health benefits of rice. The studies are commonly in vitro or rats, but, the health benefits of African wild potato are believed can improve overall health in human. So, here are the details:
- Prevents cancer
African wild potato has antitumor properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and antidiabetic. They are found by researchers in a study called “in vitro studies.”. So, the studies conducted in not in human but test tubes while other studies conducted in rats.
However, new evidence found that African wild potato has the ability to treat cancer cells and premalignant cells. The antitumor properties contained in the potato that probably helps lung cancer patients to prolong their survival.
- Type 2 diabetes
Studies found that the African wild potato can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by stimulating the secretion of insulin. Along with the benefit, a South African study also found that the vegetable has the ability to impair kidney function. However, the research through it is still ongoing.
- Boosts immune system
Beta-sitosterol in African wild potato has been believed by scientists to boost immune system. According to one study, it gives the results that capsules with beta-sitosterol tend to make the immune system boost after physical stress, like exercise.
- Treats Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
One of the health benefits of African wild potato is that it plays a great role to treat HIV and AIDS in South Africans. Some South African doctors give the potato to their patients but unfortunately it is less effective to treat the conditions.
Furthermore, one study has shown the significant benefit of African wild potato to prevent metabolism of anti-retroviral medications. Those are drugs probably can treat HIV effectively however it is still not yet proven by studies from scientist.
- Controls cholesterol
Cholesterol is something that people should be aware of. When the cholesterol is in under control, it can triggers some of heart diseases and moreover endanger your health. African wild potato plays a role to control the cholesterol hence it also protect the heart.
- Promotes healthy skin
Antioxidants in African wild potato give the benefits for the health of skin. Since the antioxidant is high, it also being used as the treatments for some of skin conditions. The health benefits of African wild potato for skin are such as to slow down the aging and provide the skin flawless complexions. The conditions of the skin that can be treated are such as eczema, acne even allergies and burn marks.
- Controls blood sugar
The body get blood sugar from the food that consumed while consume African wild potato can control the levels of blood sugar. The potato probably contains more water than other vegetables that made it can manage the sugar in the body so it also related to the benefit in prevents type 2 diabetes.
- Treats obesity
For those who are suffering from obesity, consume African wild potato can treat the condition by losing the excess of weight significantly. It is probably because of high in water and less of calories while also the increasing of the ability of the potato to burn fat in the body.
- Relieves abdominal pains
The other benefit of African wild potato is to relieve abdominal pains. The potato acts as a relief for abdominal pains at the time of menopause is due to a compound named fiber and also supported by other essential compounds.
- Supports for the health of eyes
There are substances in African wild potato that supports for healthy eyes as well as treats eyes ailments. The eye condition like cataract will reduce by consuming the potato regularly. Furthermore, cataract can lead to loss of vision because the vision is covered by the layer on eye lens.
Other health benefits of African wild potato are:
- Promotes oral health
- Heals asthma and tuberculosis
Other types of potatoes also contain many health benefits or you can also read in health benefits of green potatoes, health benefits of cilembu sweet potato and health benefits eating purple potatoes.