15 Facts About French Fries

15 Facts About French Fries

1. The origin of French fries is from Belgium. According to some historians, potatoes were being fried by at least 1680 in the Meuse Valley of Belgium. Locals generally used to eat small fried fish but when the river was frozen over, they used potatoes as a substitute. They used to cut potatoes length wise and fry them in oil so as to use them as a substitute of fish.
2. French fries were introduced in the US when Thomas Jefferson was the president in the year 1801.
3. According to the reports, Americans eat more than 16 pounds of French fries every year.
4. Production of potatoes was more than 320 million tons in the year 2007 and about two third of this production was consumed by the people as food.
5. French fries are not called French fries in France. French fries are known as frites, patates frites or pommes frites in French. These names are also used in many non French speaking areas.
6. Potatoes are a great source of fiber and French fries are made from these potatoes. Fiber helps to pass waste through your system and also helps to lower the cholesterol level and so consumption of certain amount of fiber becomes inevitable. Your body may suffer from indigestion, stomach and other problems due to deficiency of fiber.
7. When you are eating French fries, you are also consuming some amount of potassium as this nutrient is present in potatoes. The energy that you require throughout the day can be obtained by consuming potassium. You may become more tired, your reflexes may become slower and your muscles may get weak if you do not get adequate amount of potassium.
8. You body needs Vitamin B6, which is also known as pyridoxine and this can be found in French fries. Women may get even better benefits as Vitamin B6 helps against bloating, menopause and hormonal swings during the monthly cycle.
9. According to the Agricultural Research Service in Navarre, potato skins are packed with 60 phyto chemicals and many of these are flavonoids which help to lower bad cholesterol and keep arteries clear.
10. Potatoes are rich in kukoamines which are nothing else but the molecule that lowers the blood pressure. Your blood pressure can be lowered by a few servings of French fries every day.
11. French fries are very high in fat as they are deep fried. Your risk of becoming overweight is increased when you consume these high fat French fries. French fries are particularly rich in trans fats and saturated fats.

12. French fries should be consumed in moderation as they are particularly high in carbohydrates. Even though, all living things require carbohydrates for their survival, excessive consumption can lead to diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer.
13. The salt content in French fries is also very high and if consumed regularly, these can cause adverse health effects.
14. It is not advisable for pregnant and nursing women to consume French fries due to the presence of a cancer causing agent called acrylamide.
15. Sometimes, French fries are made of sweet potatoes instead of normal potatoes, baked instead of fried, may be cut into unusual shapes or may be served with local toppings like vinegar, mayonnaise instead of ketchup.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/514874-the-effects-of-french-fries-on-your-body/
Source: http://frenchhfries.blogspot.in/2011/04/interesting-facts-about-french-fries.html
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