We all know that potatoes are in second place (after bread) in the list of foods that are most often found in our diet. It is present in almost all dishes. But there are times when this vegetable is not only not healthy, but also dangerous. This is a green potato containing harmful substances, which, when ingested in large doses, cause poisoning.
When the potatoes turn green
The appearance of greenery is due to the fact that under favorable conditions, the potato is able to reproduce itself. Daylight, moderate humidity of the room contribute to the beginning of the process of photosynthesis, in which chlorophyll contained in the roots is involved. This process becomes prominent in the appearance of green paint on tubers. It is known that chlorophyll is found in all plants and under the action of the sun color all parts of the plants are colored green or purple.
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The potato stems and leaves are also green, and the potatoes in the ground are simply protected by it from ultraviolet rays. Greened tubers we notice where they can be seen from the soil. Under the influence of fluorescent lamps, these processes do not occur. Photosynthesis is triggered by ultraviolet or infrared light. 
Did you know? For the first time the potato appeared in the middle of the XVII century, it was introduced by Peter I. However, at first it only caused a negative, as people ate only berries and shoots. As a result, there were many poisonings and even deaths. And only in the 18th century, potatoes already became the “second bread”.
Is it possible to use
It turns out fruits "with greens" are dangerous to use. Long storage leads to an increase in the concentration of poison. The change in skin color makes it unsuitable for human consumption. Such food is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those who have health problems.
Why is it dangerous
Potatoes belong to the family of the nightshade, which include a harmful substance - solanine. Its high concentration is in the aerial parts of the plant. In tubers, its share is very small (0.05%). But under the influence of ultraviolet, the content of solanine increases dramatically by several times, which becomes dangerous to health.
Important! When growing this vegetable, the main thing is to have well-rounded bushes so that sunlight does not get to the roots, because under the long exposure to ultraviolet the amount of harmful substances can reach 500 mg per 100 g of the product.
Symptoms of poisoning
The first signs of poisoning have nothing to do with ordinary food poisoning. If you eat a potato in which solanine is present in the amount of 300 mg, then after 3 hours the following symptoms appear:
- Tickling and sore throat.
- Antispasmodic pain in the stomach and intestines.
- Large saliva compartment, vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing and fever.
- Stomach upset with painful urging and offensive feces.
- Increased pupils.
- Heart disorders caused by heart rhythm failure and rapid heartbeat.
What to do in case of poisoning
When the poisoning is not too heavy, you can limit yourself to simple household measures:
- Wash the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate or any sorbent.
- Drink plenty of pure water.
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In a more serious situation, help is as follows:
- Call an ambulance.
- Wash the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate and artificially induce vomiting.
- Drink a double dose of activated carbon.
- If necessary, add a laxative.
- The doctor performs intravenous rehydration with a sterile solution of sodium chloride.
- To minimize the absorption of poisons, it is recommended to eat enveloping foods, such as banana puree, milk, or raw egg white.
Did you know? In Minsk, there is a monument of potatoes, because Bulba - the national Belarusian product. According to statistics, for the year one Belarusian eats 183 kg of potatoes, while, as a German, 168 kg, a Pole, 123 kg, and a Russian two times less, only 90 kg.
Solanine
The appearance of this toxin is the protection of potatoes against possible pests and diseases. When the root is completely ripe, the content of this substance is low, only 0.05%. After six months, its indicators begin to grow, the highest level is contained in unripe or sprouted potatoes. 
Solanine is also found in green tomatoes.
Often, a sweet potato is called "sweet potato", although, in fact, it has nothing in common with potatoes.
It is known that solanine inhibits the nervous system, leads to indigestion and the destruction of red blood cells. You can check their death by doing a urine test, there will be an increased amount of protein. In the process of removing poison from the body, kidney and skin damage occurs. Also solanine accumulates in the body. As a result, it leads to joint disease and the growth of cancer cells.
How to prevent the appearance
In order to avoid the appearance of greenery during ripening of the root, it is necessary to carry out systematic hilling. Such manipulations make the soil loose, increase the growth of tubers and protect them from the process of photosynthesis.
Important! It is important to store the harvested crop in cool conditions without exposure to sunlight. All this will allow you to get a harvest that will bring the body only benefit.
If cut?
When the damaged skin is removed, the amount of poison decreases, but there is no certainty that it did not penetrate into the pulp of the root crop. Experts do not recommend eating potatoes without extreme necessity, since even heat treatment does not eliminate the toxin. 
Check out the best ways to store potatoes in the winter.
What is useful
Green tubers are better stored until spring, less affected by deterioration and more quickly sprout. Gardeners purposefully spread the roots, intended for planting next year with a thin layer for the acquisition of its greenish shade and thick shoots. Such planting material germinates better, and in the future the crop can be obtained a couple of weeks earlier than usual, while it will be much higher.
Having learned about the harm of green potatoes, it is better to postpone it for germination to plant in the soil in order to get a rich harvest. If there is nowhere to land, then it is better to throw it away and not risk the health of loved ones.
