Are Potato Sprouts Safe to Eat? Risks & Science Explained

Can you eat potatoes with sprouts? How safe do you think is eating potatoes with sprouts? Did you ever wonder if there might be any ill effects a potato with sprouts might cause? Some say it is absolutely safe while others claim that sprouted potatoes can be lethal. But then, which is true?

This post can give you the answer. Would you like to know? Read on!

Science Behind Potato Sprouts:

Mature potatoes that have become soft and have grown produce two lethal chemicals; solanine and alpha-chaconine. They are lethal for humans as they are herbicides and are used to ward off pests from eating the potato plant.

Potato sprouts are nothing but warning signs that tell the potato has undergone chemical reactions and that it is no longer healthy.

As a potato over-ripens, the carbohydrates in the tuber get converted into sugars, and these undergo further conversion into alkaloids known as solanine and alpha-chaconine. Incidentally, these alkaloids are highly concentrated in the stems, leaves, the potato sprouts, and as well as the green-coloured skin of over-ripe potatoes.

The amount of these alkaloids present depends on the storage conditions and age of the potatoes.

If you see saggy potatoes with green skin and sprouts while buying, you should now be aware enough to know that they can potentially poison you.

But if you come across firm potatoes with sprouts, then you can safely assume that the conversion from starch to the toxic alkaloids has not occurred yet, and that the potatoes are safe. You can even remove the sprouts to be extra safe.

Symptoms Of Potato Poisoning:

Potato plant poisoning, also called Solanum tuberosum poisoning, can occur if you eat green- skinned potatoes or the potato sprouts.

Some of the symptoms of potato poisoning are:

1. Solanine and alpha-chaconine produce mild gastrointestinal problems such as cramps, vomiting and diarrhea if their dose is low.
2. If the poisoning is more severe, your symptoms will also be more severe and distressing. Which means you may experience severe neurological problems along with gastrointestinal problems such as:

• Delirium (1)
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Headache
• Shock
• Hypothermia (2)
• Paralysis
• Shock
• Slow
• Slowed breathing
• Stomach ache
• Vision problems
• Vomiting

How well you recover from potato poisoning depends on the amount of alkaloid ingested and how quickly you get treatment and medical help. Potato poisoning symptoms can last for 1-3 days. Hospitalization can also be necessary. Even death due to potato poisoning has also been reported, though it’s rare (3).

How Can Poisoning By Potato Sprouts Be Avoided?

1. This can be avoided easily by storing potatoes properly, eating them early after buying them and cutting off the green potato skin and sprouts if they are present on firm potatoes. Always bin the saggy, old potatoes with sprouts.
2. Also, choose only firm potatoes without sprouts when buying them at the supermarket.
3. Sprout formation is accelerated due to warmth, moisture, and light. So make sure to store potatoes unwashed, in a cool, dark, dry area if they can’t be eaten right away.
4. The container should allow for proper flow of air and prevent the buildup of moisture.
5. The way you cook your potatoes can also determine the concentration of solanine and alpha-chaconine. The best way to reduce the alkaloid toxicity is to fry potatoes at high temperatures (170 degrees Celsius).

Hope we were able to answer your questions about potato sprouts. Let us just warn you once again that if you ingest the poison inadvertently, please do contact your doctor immediately. And do let us know how this post has helped you. There is a comment box below.