Does Using a Potato as a Battery Affect Its Nutritional Value?

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    Battery potato
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether using a potato as a battery affects its nutritional value or has any negative impact on the potato itself. Participants explore the implications of inserting metal rods into the potato and the potential consequences of electrical current passing through it, touching on both theoretical and practical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question if inserting metal pins into a potato and using it as a battery reduces its nutritional value or negatively affects the potato.
  • One participant suggests that using copper and nickel rods could lead to the presence of copper and nickel salts in the potato, which they find unappetizing.
  • Another participant notes that the duration of metal exposure in the potato could influence its safety for consumption, referencing the risks associated with copper in acidic foods.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential health risks of trace element metals, such as copper and zinc, when ingested in high levels, with references to existing dietary guidelines and toxicity information.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of using unlined copper cookware and its potential to leach copper into food, which could be relevant to the potato battery scenario.
  • A participant asserts that electricity alone does not affect the potato, suggesting that the concern lies primarily with the metals used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of using metals in a potato battery, with some emphasizing potential health risks while others focus on the impact of electricity alone. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall effects on the potato's nutritional value and safety.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and guidelines regarding metal intake and toxicity, but there are no consensus conclusions drawn about the specific effects of using a potato as a battery.

Frenemy90210
If a potato ( or any other food, for that matter) is used as a battery by say, simply inserting two different metal pins in it and connecting it to a load, then does it reduce the nutritional value of potato ? or does it affect the potato negatively in any way ?
 
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If you connected say a copper and nickel rod into a potato and then allowed a current to pass, I would certainly expect to find copper and nickel salts in the potato.
I wouldn't find that especially appetizing.
It you used lead, that would be much worse.
 
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Frenemy90210 said:
Does it affect the potato negatively in any way

As @.Scott said they wouldn't make for the best dinner after putting metals in them. Then again it would depend how long metals would be in the said food. I know that if you would stick copper into fruit with low pH like lemons, you're asking for trouble.
 
More generally, the addition of trace element metals to foods can cause problems. Median copper intake in the US 1. - 1.6mg/day. The RDA for Cu is 900μg (0.9mg). Which means most of us already get more than enough copper.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222312/

If you cook with copper pots or prepare acidic foods or serve them in copper, copper leaches into food. Way more than is required.
Long term consequences are nasty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_toxicity

Zinc and other trace element metals have similar issues when ingested at high levels, not to mention non-required elements like lead.
 
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jim mcnamara said:
f you cook with copper pots or prepare acidic foods or serve them in copper, copper leaches into food.

Most copper cookware is lined with something less reactive to prevent this.

And it wouldn't be a potato battery thread without saying "The cake is a lie!"
 
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Lining, yes. Not always. FWIW: You can legally buy "decorative" copper mixing bowls that are not lined. At all.
This is an interesting item talking partially about using unlined copper in cooking: http://www.highya.com/articles-guides/copper-cookware-how-to-use-cook-and-care-for-copper-pots-and-pans. I did not know that you need to "season" lined copper cookware.
 
jim mcnamara said:
Lining, yes. Not always. FWIW: You can legally buy "decorative" copper mixing bowls that are not lined. At all.
This is an interesting item talking partially about using unlined copper in cooking: http://www.highya.com/articles-guides/copper-cookware-how-to-use-cook-and-care-for-copper-pots-and-pans. I did not know that you need to "season" lined copper cookware.
I've got some more related info here - https://nutrisbook.com/zyalix/
 
Would the electricity alone affect the potato?
 
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jim mcnamara said:
Lining, yes. Not always. FWIW: You can legally buy "decorative" copper mixing bowls that are not lined. At all.
This is an interesting item talking partially about using unlined copper in cooking: http://www.highya.com/articles-guides/copper-cookware-how-to-use-cook-and-care-for-copper-pots-and-pans. I did not know that you need to "season" lined copper cookware.

These people seem to be living in order to eat... I prefer the opposite.
 

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