9 surprising health benefits of raw potato juice (and how it tastes)

Raw potato juice is starchy with little natural sweetness.

Sure, it's not the best-tasting thing in the world, but it's not all that bad - its mild flavour means it can be mixed with other fruit and vegetable juices or even honey without the concoction tasting too funky.

Plus, for its multitude of health benefits, it's more than worth it!

1. It soothes your tummy

Potato juice is very alkaline — they’re among the most alkaline foods — and works to neutralise stomach acid and sooth stomach aches. When consumed in their raw state, they also retain a type of resistant starch that soothes gastrointestinal disturbances.

2. Detox with potato juice

It also works well as an inexpensive detoxing agent to flush out your liver and gall bladder.

3. It's anti-inflammatory

The antioxidants found in raw potato juice have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to both prevent chronic inflammatory illnesses such as arthritis and eczema, as well as relieve discomfort caused by them.

4. It promotes digestion

Raw potato juice favours the multiplication of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, and has been known to not only promote effective digestion, but also improve appetite.

5. It... fights cancer?!

Although not scientifically proven, some claim that potato juice can help to fight cancer by inhibit the cancer cells from damaging other healthy cells. Some research even link drinking potato juice every day to improvements in those with colon cancer!

6. Use it as an external treatment

Drinking potato juice can also be an alternative to external treatments, and reportedly reduces excessive dryness of the skin. Or, apply cold potato juice to sunburnt skin for a cooling sensation that’ll alleviate the pain, or to blemishes to treat them.

7. It works wonders for your hair, too

Mix potato juice with aloe vera to get a moisturising hair treatment that’ll help your hair regain its shine. Or, apply a mixture of potato juice, honey and egg white to your hair for a few hours before washing off to stimulate hair growth.

8. It helps your heart

Potato juice is said to be a treatment of sorts for cardiovascular diseases, as it prevents blockages of the arteries and is beneficial for the heart. A cup a day can also help to relieve heartburn.

9. Potatoes are great!

And of course: the obvious: Other than being a good source of protein and fibre, potatoes are rich in nutrients like vitamins A and C, a range of B-vitamins, and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium.

How to juice a potato? Put the potatoes in small chunks through the juicer to extract the juice. Because a large amount of nutrients are found in the skin or under the skin, it's best done without peeling the potato.

Be sure to use organic potatoes so there aren't pesticide residues on the skin. Pick the freshest ones, as sprouted or spotted potatoes might give you an upset tummy instead.

This article was first published in The Finder.