10 Nutritional Facts About Corn


 

Corn is the most common food on earth and it originates in Mexico 9,000 years ago. It is quite literally older than us, our parents and grandparents combined. In many parts of the world, it is known popularly by its original name, ‘maize.’ Native Americans grew and harvested this crop as their main source of food and today, it has grown so popular that it is the most consumed cereal grain. There is also another variety of corn, known as sweet corn that can be eaten off the cob directly. It is usually considered and vegetable. The dry seeds, on the other hand, are typically used for popcorn are classified as whole grains. Some of the nutritional facts about corn include:

1. It is high in carbs and fibre

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

Corn is one of the crops that is highly packed with fibre and has high carbs. It is considered low in protein and fat and thus anyone looking to diet is usually adviced to make corn part of their diet. However, the carbs in corn is rich in starch and thus can easily raise blood sugar(depending on how much you eat it). Therefore, just like with everything else in life, it should be consumed with moderation.

2. Corn is naturally gluten-free

Because of its very impressive nutritional value, many people who eat corn and popcorn benefit from this balanced diet. Corn is naturally gluten-free and people who want to avoid gluten usually take corn. Although gluten is not a problem for many, other people may not be able to tolerate it well. For instance, celiac disease, an autoimmune disease triggers an immune response to gluten and those intolerant to it may have reactions like bloating, diarrhea and stomach pain. Thus, corn is perfect for those who have this condition and don’t do so well with gluten.

3. Corn is also very beneficial to eye health

Because corn is very high in lutein and zeaxanthin (antioxidants typically found in vegetables), it has been said is helps in eye health. This is because lutein and zeaxanthin make up a large part of the macular region of our eyes. That is why one study found out that those who have the highest intake of these two antioxidants have a 43% lower chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is a typical condition that causes eye problems. Therefore, regular eating of corn  can promote eye health especially for those who are at a high risk of AMD.

4. Can prevent digestive issues

The fibre found in corn can help in providing health benefits. One of which is the lowering of risks pertaining to diseases like heart conditions and even some cancers. Eating enough fibre promotes healthy digestion and protects someone from stomach complications like even Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Also diverticular disease that characterize inflammation of digestive tract, can realy be addressed and controlled by constant intake of corn. In fact, an 18- year old study showed that in over 47,000 adult men who eat corn and popcorn at least twice a week, they have a significantly lower risk of contracting diverticular disease. More research on this argument is however still being done.

5. Corn actually reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes

Photo by Jayson Roy on Unsplash

Corn has a compound known as polyphenol which is a naturally occurring compound typically found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and even nuts. Purple corn for instance, has that purple colour thanks to a type of polyphenol compound known as anthocyanin. Anthocyanin has been shown to improve insulin regulation and glucose and this a proactive way of preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

6. Corn is said to prevent colon cancer

Given how corn is a good source of fibre that typically promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut, it is said to be able to prevent colon cancer. This is because these bacterias termed as good produce short-chain fatty acids that usually play a role in preventing colon cancer. Thus, eating fresh corn, popcorn and whole grain corn products can most definitely ensure that you get the most out of fibre consumption.

7. Corn also supports weight management

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

It is said that the most filling snacks to chew on, are those that are high in protein and fibre. A good example is popcorn. One cup of unbuttered and air-popped popcorn provides 31 calories, 1 gram of protein and one gram of fibre. Popcorn is minimally processed especially when made fresh. And since most people can’t go a day without snacking, choosing wisely what to snack on is quite important. Thus, if you’re watching your weight, corn would be a good choice.

8. Corn helps in preventing haemorrhoids

As noted earlier, corn has a very high percentage of fibre. This in simple terms means that it is quite good for bowel movements. Because of this, it works effeciently in dealing with problems like constipation which when neglected, often leads to haemorrhoids. Fiber is amazing for bowel movements since it helps in bulking up stool which ultimately faciliatates movement down the digestive tract.

9. It promotes growth

Scientifically speaking, corn has high amounts of vitamin B, thiamine and niacin. These compounds or constituents are quite good in facilitating growth. Thiamone for instance helps in improving nerve health and cognitive functions while niacin can help in preventing problems like dementia and dermatitis. It is also known for having folic acid which is good for pregnant women. Additionally, since corn is also rich in vitamin E, it protects thebody from various diseases and helps one to grow without contaminating too many diseases while at it.

10. Corn also prevents anemia

Corn is very rich in iron and iron is a component that helps the body form new blood cells. This is what typically helps in preventing anemia. Frequent consumption of corn will help in also avoiding symptoms of anemia like exhaustion, weakness, fatigue, dizziness and even shortness of breath.

Corn is a very common dish that everyone around the world has had a taste of. However, there are so many factual health benefits they have that people aren’t so familiar with.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.