New nutrient-rich purple potatoes could prevent cataracts

Scientists from Colorado State University recently developed potato varieties that may prevent several diseases including cataracts.

The group developed several different colored potatoes, but the purple and red potatoes had the highest level of antioxidants and other nutrients such as vitamin C, resistant starch, folic acid, minerals, potassium, iron, zinc and phenolic compounds.

Sastry S. Jayanty, a post-harvest physiologist, and Diganta Kalita, a postdoctoral researcher at CSU’s San Luis Valley Research Center, describe the newly developed potatoes as comparable to superfoods like blueberries and pomegranates.

Jonathan M. Petrash, PhD, a professor in the department of ophthalmology who collaborated on the study further revealed that phytochemicals present in purple and red potatoes have significant properties to reduce cataract formation in diabetic patients.