{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Turning Green? Here's Why That Potato Could Make You Sick",
  "summary": "A greenish tinge on potatoes isn't just cosmetic, it can signal rising levels of a toxin called solanine that cooking heat cannot destroy. Here's when it's safe to trim and eat, when to toss the potato altogether, and how to store them correctly.",
  "content": "When a potato starts showing a faint green tinge on its skin, it is tempting to shrug it off, but that greenish patch is worth paying attention to. Potatoes are one of the most frequently used vegetables in Indian kitchens, turning up almost daily as a plain curry, in parathas, tikkis and countless snacks. Before any of that cooking begins, though, the potato needs a proper look over, because simply slicing away a rotten or worm eaten bit does not automatically make the rest of it safe to eat. If green marks show up on the skin, they should not be brushed aside.\n\nGreen potatoes are not just a case of changed colour. That shift can point to a chemical change happening inside the potato that actually matters for health. Experts say eating green potatoes can be harmful, which is why it helps to understand why potatoes turn green in the first place, whether they are still safe to cook, and how to store them so this problem does not keep coming up.\n\nWhy Do Potatoes Turn Green?\nWhen potatoes are left in strong sunlight or bright light for long stretches, chlorophyll starts forming on their skin, and that is what turns them green. Chlorophyll itself is not dangerous. Its presence is simply a warning sign that a toxic compound called solanine could also be building up inside the potato.\n\nHow Dangerous Is Solanine for the Body?\nThe real problem with solanine is that cooking heat does not destroy it, so boiling, frying or roasting a green potato will not get rid of the toxin. If solanine builds up beyond a certain level in the body, it can interfere with the signals travelling between the brain and the nervous system, which can have a direct effect on health.\n\nCan You Eat a Partly Green Potato?\nIf only a small patch of a potato has turned green, that green section and the skin around it can be cut away carefully, and the remaining flesh can still go into mashed potatoes, fries or other dishes. However, the US National Capital Poison Center has warned that if a potato has turned green over most of its surface, or if it smells or tastes off, the safest option is to throw the whole thing away.\n\nThe Right Way to Store Potatoes\nPotatoes should always be stored in a cool, dry and dark place, kept well away from sunlight or strong light. Use a bag that allows air to circulate while storing them, so moisture does not build up and spoil them faster. Keeping potatoes in the refrigerator is best avoided, since the cold temperature causes their starch to convert into sugar, which can change both their taste and texture. Potatoes should also never be stored alongside onions. Stored the right way, potatoes stay fresh and fit to eat for much longer.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis is directly useful for anyone who cooks potatoes at home on a regular basis.\n\n• Health effect: Cooking a potato with green patches without checking it properly can let solanine, a toxin that cooking heat does not destroy, enter the body.\n• Household budget: Storing potatoes the right way keeps them from spoiling quickly, cutting down on wasted vegetables and repeat trips to buy more.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Why do potatoes turn green?\nBeing left in strong sunlight or bright light for a long time makes chlorophyll form on a potato's skin, which is what turns it green.\n\n2. Can you eat a potato that has only a small green patch?\nYes, that green section along with the skin around it can be carefully cut away, and the remaining flesh can still be used.\n\n3. What is solanine and how dangerous is it?\nSolanine is a toxic compound that forms in potatoes and is not destroyed by cooking heat, and in higher amounts it can block signals travelling between the brain and the nervous system.\n\n4. When should a green potato be thrown away entirely?\nThe US National Capital Poison Center warns that if a potato has turned green over most of its surface or smells or tastes off, it should be discarded completely.\n\n5. Why shouldn't potatoes be kept in the fridge?\nThe cold temperature in a refrigerator makes a potato's starch convert into sugar, which can affect both its taste and texture.\n\n6. What is the correct way to store potatoes?\nPotatoes should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place in a bag that allows air to circulate, and should never be stored alongside onions.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/health/hara-alu-khana-kitana-khataranaka-eksapartsa-ki-chetavani-janana-jaruri-8530",
  "category": "Health",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-18",
  "tags": [
    "green potato",
    "solanine",
    "food safety",
    "potato storage",
    "food poisoning",
    "health tips"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}