Debunking the myth: Reheating potatoes is safe and healthy

The most common reason for concern regarding potatoes is solanine, a natural chemical compound found in the green parts of this vegetable. But there's nothing to fear in this case because solanine does not form when reheating potatoes. If the potatoes are healthy, not green, and properly cooked, reheating them does not make them dangerous. The problem is more likely to be poor storage conditions – for example, leaving them in a warm place for many hours, which promotes the development of bacteria, especially Clostridium botulinum.

If you want your potatoes to be safe to eat the next day, you should store them in the fridge in a closed container. Do not leave them on the kitchen counter overnight! Ideally, you should reheat them only once – in the oven, on a hob, or in the microwave until they are hot in the middle. Repeatedly doing this can promote the growth of harmful bacteria.

Not many people are aware that after cooling cooked potatoes, some of the starch transforms into what is known as resistant starch. It is more difficult to digest but is beneficial for the intestines – like fibre, supporting a healthy gut flora. Therefore, cold or reheated potatoes can even be better for our digestive system.

That's why you can definitely eat reheated potatoes, as long as they are stored and reheated properly. They are neither poisonous nor dangerous – it's simply a culinary myth that has little to do with science. So if you have leftover mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes from yesterday – reheat them, add a fried egg, some dill... and enjoy a delicious, quick meal without any guilt.