Can sprouted potatoes still be eaten after removing the sprouts?
Disease description:
I’ve been experiencing indigestion recently, so a friend sent me many potatoes from their hometown. However, I haven’t eaten many of them. Today, I discovered that quite a few have sprouted. I’m considering removing the sprouts before eating them—can sprouted potatoes still be consumed safely after removing the sprouts?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Even if the sprouts are removed, sprouted potatoes are still not recommended for consumption. Potatoes naturally contain trace amounts of solanine, which is harmless to humans under normal circumstances. However, during prolonged storage, solanine levels gradually increase, potentially leading to poisoning. When solanine reaches a certain concentration, it may cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles and produce symptoms such as throat itching, chest tightness, coughing, nausea, and breathing difficulty. Moreover, once potatoes begin to sprout, their original nutritional components deteriorate. Even soaking or high-temperature cooking cannot restore their nutritional value or eliminate the associated health risks. Therefore, from both safety and health perspectives, sprouted potatoes should be avoided entirely.
