Selenium

Nutrition & Food Science

ISSN: 0034-6659

Article publication date: 17 July 2009

330

Citation

(2009), "Selenium", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2009.01739dab.032

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Selenium

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 39, Issue 4

Peter Keogh & Sons, the potato growing and packing company owned by the North County Dublin Keogh family, have launched a new selenium-enriched Rooster potato.

The Selena potato, which is grown exclusively on the Keogh family farm in Oldtown, North Co. Dublin, is enriched with the naturally occurring micro-nutrient selenium, an essential mineral and potent antioxidant which plays an important role in the immune function. The Selena method of growing potatoes lends itself to many popular Irish varieties including Rooster, Maris Piper and Kerrs Pink.

Ireland, like some other regions of the world, has lower levels of selenium in some of its soils, which means that Irish people may not be consuming enough selenium through fruits, vegetables and grain.

Peter Keogh & Sons conducted trials on their farm last year and found that by enriching the soil with selenium at planting, the potato plant can utilise the nutrient throughout the growing cycle and turn it into organic form in the potato tuber.

The Selena Rooster potatoes taste great and contain over 50 per cent of the recommended dietary allowance of selenium per serving. Because potatoes are so widely consumed in Ireland it is hoped that the Selena potato will contribute to improving the health of the population.

Dr Evelyn Hannon, Superquinn Nutritionist, says: “We are delighted to introduce the Selena potato exclusively to Superquinn. Selenium plays a key role in our bodies antioxidant defence systems and immune function and studies have shown that it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers. The most recent estimates of Selenium intakes in Irish adults has shown that almost half of Irish women (46%) and almost 1 in 5 men (17%) have inadequate selenium intakes” (source: Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey, published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002).

Selenium occurs naturally in an organic form in the Selena potato so when it consumed it is easily absorbed and is more beneficial to the human body than when consumed as the inorganic mineral form, such as via supplement or tablet.

Potatoes are also naturally fat free and low in salt and can make an important contribution to a healthy balanced diet. They are a great source of other important micronutrients including vitamin C, thiamin and folate.

Selena potatoes provide an average of 12 micrograms of selenium per 100 grams of potato, which means a normal serving of 250 grams of Selena potatoes would provide approximately 54 per cent of the recommended daily intake for adults.

For more information on the Selena potato, please visit: www.selena.ie

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