Think Twice Before Eating That Sprouted Potato!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 16, 2025
You know the feeling.
You’re getting ready to make dinner, reach into the pantry… and grab a potato that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.
Long, knobby sprouts poking out. Wrinkled, weirdly soft skin.
Your first instinct? Trim them off and keep cooking, of course!
After all, we’ve all been doing it for years. But should we?
The answer might surprise you.
Potatoes may seem rock-solid, but they’re still alive.
The part we eat is actually the tuber, a modified stem that grows underground above the roots. These stems store energy for the plant to grow. When potatoes sit in warm, humid environments, they think it’s time to sprout.
That’s why your spuds start growing creepy little shoots if they’ve been sitting too long.
But while sprouting is natural… it’s also a warning sign.
So, are sprouted potatoes safe to eat? It depends.
Here’s the deal:
- Small sprouts? Trim them off, and it’s probably fine.
- Long sprouts (over an inch)? Toss the whole thing.
- Wrinkled, shriveled skin? It’s done for.
Why?
Sprouted potatoes contain glycoalkaloids—natural compounds that, in high amounts, are TOXIC (the most common in potatoes being solanine).
When a potato sprouts, glycoalkaloid levels rise—not just in the sprouts but in the whole potato. If you eat too much, you might experience:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps and diarrhea
- Headaches and dizziness
In extreme cases, high doses of glycoalkaloids can cause serious illness.
To avoid this spike in glycoalkaloid levels, here’s how to keep your spuds fresh longer…
- Store them in a cool, dark, dry place—think pantry or basement, not your countertop. Ditch the plastic and use a paper bag to help block light and keep moisture low.
- Keep them away from onions! Onions release gases that make potatoes sprout faster.
- Lastly, check them regularly—if one potato starts sprouting, it can speed up the process for the rest.
There’s a good chance that potatoes are on your menu for tomorrow, but if you find the ones in your pantry are shriveled and sprouting, it’s time to replace them.
Because no St. Patrick’s Day meal is worth a trip to the ER.
P.S. Are potatoes healthy? The answer may surprise you…
Source:
“Potato plant poisoning – green tubers and sprouts,” Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine, medlineplus. gov
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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