You probably know that potatoes don’t belong in the fridge because the cold makes them sweet.
But have you heard that this taste is just a symptom of much more serious processes that occur inside the tubers?
Dangerous acrylamide
Experts from the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) have previously warned consumers against storing potatoes in the fridge because reports from the government department said this made the product potentially hazardous to health.
As explained in the FSA, under the influence of low temperatures, more additional sugars are formed in the vegetable – that’s why frozen potatoes change the taste. And, according to the agency, it could lead to serious problems for those who eat it next.
The fact is that under the influence of temperatures above 120 ° C during cooking, acrylamide is formed in potatoes from sugars and amino acids – a substance that has a genotoxic effect. In other words, acrylamide damages genes, which, in turn, causes cancer cells to form.
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“We have changed our minds”
The FSA recently withdrew its previous recommendations. As the Food Standards Agency explained, the latest study showed that the refrigerator as a place to store potatoes is no different from the “dark, cool place” that was advised earlier.
What is better to prioritize? In the refrigerator, potatoes will “live” longer – this is a definite plus. On the other hand, a vegetable usually takes up a lot of space and therefore simply does not fit in a box. So, when choosing an option, start from the characteristics of your home and your kitchen.
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