The potato was first domesticated in the region of modern-day southern Peru and extreme northwestern Bolivia between 8000 and 5000 BC. It is a starchy, versatile root vegetable and a staple food in many households, not to mention that it’s relatively cheap, easy to grow and packed with a variety of nutrients. For one, potatoes happen to be an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, because they are rich in compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids. In addition, they are a good source of antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.