Why do people put potatoes in their socks?

An age-old remedy for colds now viral on TikTok only involves one ingredient: a potato. Slip a sliver into your sock at night and rumor has it the slice will show up black in the morning, people on TikTok say, absorbing all the sickness from your body and leaving you healthy. Doctors, however, aren't buying it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on miamiherald.com

What does a potato in your sock do?

A new health trend on TikTok involves putting potato slices in your socks at night with the claim that it will help clear toxins and viruses like the flu from your body. Experts say that there is no evidence that potatoes are an effective method of drawing out toxins or helping people get over an illness faster.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

Why do potatoes in socks turn black?

TikTok users claim that in the morning, the potato will turn black, an indication of the toxins coming from your body. However, according to the Idaho potato commission, when a sliced raw potato is exposed to air, it will turn dark. That's because it's going through a process called oxidation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wcnc.com

Does putting potatoes on your feet help?

There is no scientific evidence that the Potato Socks TikTok trend has any medical benefit.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthnews.com

Does putting a potato in your sock help a runny nose?

They debunked the claim that the black coloring was from toxins drawn out of the body, saying, “When the potato is sliced open, exposed to air and body heat then enzymatic browning will happen.” “A potato in a sock is not going to cure your flu,” they bluntly declared.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nypost.com

Can putting potato slices in your socks at night cure the flu? l GMA

32 related questions found

Are potatoes better for you cold?

Cold cooked potatoes are great for your gut health because they contain resistant starch which help feed the beneficial bacteria. Once cooled the sugars in the potatoes become resistant to human digestion, but they travel through the gut to feed the microbes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodnessme-nutrition.com

What are the healing benefits of potato?

They're rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Potatoes were a life-saving food source in early times because the vitamin C prevented scurvy. Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte which aids in the workings of our heart, muscles, and nervous system.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.ucdavis.edu

How do you get rid of a cold fast?

Cold remedies that work
  1. Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ...
  2. Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
  3. Soothe a sore throat. ...
  4. Combat stuffiness. ...
  5. Relieve pain. ...
  6. Sip warm liquids. ...
  7. Try honey. ...
  8. Add moisture to the air.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Do potatoes stop swelling?

Turns out, potatoes contain nutrients that are beneficial for wound healing, says Dr Jain. They are rich in vitamins C and B6, and potassium as well as fiber. They have natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce swelling and ultimately, promote healing.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthshots.com

Why do potatoes turn black on skin?

Once they have been peeled and cut, raw potatoes will turn brown quickly. This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on southernliving.com

Does putting potatoes in the fridge make them last longer?

Lack of pantry space or hot or humid conditions are all reasons you might want to store your potatoes in the refrigerator. If you do choose to refrigerate your potatoes for whatever reason, the potatoes will last for three to four weeks, but as mentioned, they may develop a sweeter taste when cooked.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on allrecipes.com

Can you put potatoes in baby's socks when sick?

Slice a potato, about 1/8 of an inch thick, and stuff it into your child's sock. Leave it there overnight. Not only do some mums swear by its effect on colds, it can also help bring down a child's high fever. According to WebMD, potato peels have anti-bacterial properties, too.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sg.theasianparent.com

How do you use a potato to draw out infection?

Place a few slices of raw potato over the infected area holding it in place with tape. Leave it on overnight, and replace with a fresh potato during the day. Depending on the infection it will usually draw out the pus within 1-3 days.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on baynaturopath.co.nz

What does rubbing a raw potato on your face do?

Potato for face brightening and reducing suntan

Potato is rich in antioxidants that reduce the appearance of tan, dark spots, and scars while promoting even skin tone, softness, and glow.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on juicychemistry.com

What does garlic in your socks do?

Ian says garlic contains antimicrobials that help fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause those miserable mid-season colds. For the extra-brave/determined to do everything possible to avoid getting sick, he even recommends crushing a few cloves and putting them in socks to let the garlic absorb through your skin.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rachaelrayshow.com

Can a cold go away in 2 days?

Most colds go away in a few days. Some things you can do to take care of yourself with a cold include: Get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicines may help ease symptoms in adults and older children.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pennmedicine.org

What kills a sore throat fast overnight?

16 Best Sore Throat Remedies to Make You Feel Better Fast, According to Doctors
  • Gargle with salt water—but steer clear of apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Drink extra-cold liquids. ...
  • Suck on an ice pop. ...
  • Fight dry air with a humidifier. ...
  • Skip acidic foods. ...
  • Swallow antacids. ...
  • Sip herbal teas. ...
  • Coat and soothe your throat with honey.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on entandallergy.com

How do you get rid of a cold in 8 hours?

There is no way to get rid of a cold fast. A cold will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, a person may experience uncomfortable symptoms while they recover. People can take steps to aid recovery, such as getting plenty of rest.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

What is a potato cleanse?

It is a short-term dietary plan where an individual has to eat only potatoes for three to five days, followed by a week or months, depending on the person's requirement. This extreme eating plan focuses on consuming nothing but cooked potatoes for rapid weight loss.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthifyme.com

What happens to your body when you eat potatoes everyday?

Eating one medium-size potato a day can be part of a healthy diet and doesn't increase cardiometabolic risk — the chances of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke — as long as the potato is steamed or baked, and prepared without adding too much salt or saturated fat, a study by nutritionists at The Pennsylvania ...

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on today.com

Where do you put Vicks for a stuffy nose?

In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Does blowing your nose help get rid of a cold?

Nose blowing can relieve some sinus pressure and provide comfort, but it cannot clear the bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses. The infections require medical attention.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on icliniq.com

What does it mean when your nose runs clear liquid?

Clear nasal drip, or a runny nose, is often caused by inflammation inside the nose and it is a usual symptom of common colds or allergies, Occasional or mild clear nasal drip will often resolve within a few days or weeks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on houstonadvancedsinus.com