According to researchers, potato extracts can be helpful in fighting obesity as it can limit weight gain from a diet that is full of fat and refined carbohydrates.

Experts said that extracts contain high concentration of polyphenols, which a chemical component is generally found in fruits and vegetables. Scientists from McGill University in Canada said that potato is known for its carbohydrate content but it also contains polyphenols.

Luis Agellon, one of the study's authors, said, "We were astonished by the results. We thought this can't be right - in fact, we ran the experiment again using a different batch of extract prepared from potatoes grown in another season, just to be certain."

The researchers fed mice an obesity-inducing diet for 10 weeks and the mice started gaining weight. The study started with miceweighing on average 25 grams and then it put on about 16 grams. However, they also found that mice that consumed the same diet but with a potato extracthad much less weight than others.

Principal author of the study Stan Kubow said that the daily dose of extract comes from 30 potatoes but it is not recommended for humans yet as trails are needed and there is a need to determine the optimal dose for men and women.