The Impact of Purple-Flesh Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Shadow Queen on Minor Health Complaints in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

The purple-flesh potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Shadow Queen (SQ) naturally contains anthocyanins. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study determines whether ingesting purple potatoes increases the number of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and improves stress response, a minor health complaint in healthy adults (registration number: UMIN000038876). A total of 15 healthy subjects (ages: 50-70 years) with minor health complaints were randomly assigned to one of two groups. For 8 weeks, the placebo group received placebo potatoes cv. Haruka and the test group received test potato cv. SQ containing 45 mg anthocyanin. The MSC count and several stress responses were analyzed at weeks 0 and 8 of the intake periods. The ingestion of a SQ potato did not affect the MSC count but markedly improved psychological stress response, irritability, and depression as minor health complaints compared with Haruka. No adverse effects were noted. Hence, an 8-week intake of SQ could improve stress responses.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine whether ingesting purple potatoes could improve stress response in healthy adults. The results showed that while purple potato intake did not increase the number of stem cells, it significantly improved psychological stress response, irritability, and depression as minor health complaints.