Potato health benefits discovered

The humble potato could lower your blood pressure

Potatoes may be healthier to eat than previously thought, after scientists found them to contain chemicals which lower blood pressure.

The independent Institute of Food Research says the chemicals, called kukoamines, occurred naturally in many common types of potato.

Scientists at the Norwich institute stumbled upon the chemicals while studying potatoes for other reasons.

They say boiling potatoes may preserve the health benefits better than frying.

Sleeping sickness

The scientists were studying genetically-modified potatoes and ordinary ones to compare their chemical make-up when they discovered the kukoamines.

The say they knew the chemicals existed in some Chinese herbal remedies but had not expected to find them in potatoes.

As well as being known to lower blood pressure, they are also used to treat the disease known as "sleeping sickness", which is widespread in parts of Africa.

Producers of potatoes have welcomed the news.

One farmer told BBC News he could be growing potatoes for medicine in future, as well as for eating,