Potatoes contain toxic compounds known as glycoalkaloids, of which the most prevalent are solanine and chaconine.

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison.

One study suggests that the toxic mechanism of solanine is caused by the chemical's interaction with mitochondrial membranes. Experiments show that solanine exposure opens the potassium channels of mitochondria, increasing their membrane potential. This in turn leads to Ca2+ being transported down its concentration gradient into the mitochondria, and it is this increased concentration of Ca2+ in the cell that triggers cell damage and apoptosis.

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death (PCD) that may occur in multicellular organisms.

Apoptosis occurs when a cell is damaged beyond repair, becomes infected, or suffers a stressful situation.

The "decision" for apoptosis can come from the cell itself, from the surrounding tissue, or from a cell that is part of the immune system. In these cases apoptosis functions to remove the damaged cell, preventing it from sapping further nutrients from the organism, or halting further spread of an infection.

Autoimmune diseases, in my opinion, are linked to Chronic solanine poisoning.


Yes, but this is rare. They do more good than harm. Lots of other foods have potential danger, certainly more than potatos overall.

"Potatoes, believe it or not, can also be toxic to humans. They contain the toxic compounds known as glycoalkaloids which can cause headaches, diarrhea, cramping, and in very severe cases even comas or death. However, poisoning from potatoes occurs very rarely. In fact cooking potatoes at high temperatures, which is almost always the case, works to partly destroy these toxic compounds. Researchers and potato breeders are working on trying to grow potatoes with as little glycoalkaloids as possible"