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.
View More Free Articles
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...
Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next
You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...
Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead
I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...
This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months
You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...
Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works
“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...
Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets
You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...
"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...
This "Healthy" Sweetener is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss
Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. But what if the “diet” products you’re using to cut calories make you hungrier, so you eat more? Well, a shocking new study suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is secretly sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s dig into...
“Banned in Europe” Food Additive Triggers Hormone Chaos
If you’ve ever enjoyed the bright white frosting on a cookie or vibrantly colored candy, you’ve likely consumed titanium dioxide. This common food additive, used to make products look more appealing, is now at the center of a growing health debate. Titanium dioxide is essentially makeup for food—a white powder that enhances colors and makes...