Potatoes could lower blood pressure levels

04/07/05 UK, Scientists at the independent Institute of Food Research have found that potatoes contain chemicals, which lower blood pressure.

Chemicals, called kukoamines, occur naturally in many common types of potato. The scientists were studying genetically-modified potatoes and ordinary ones to compare their chemical make-up when they discovered the kukoamines.

Kukoamines also selectively affect a chemotherapeutic target for trypanosomes and similar diseases such as sleeping sickness.