Why is corn bad for your health?
- High-fructose corn syrup, on its own, isn't bad for you.
- However, corn syrup is added to a lot of processed food, which boosts the total calorie count.
- Eating too many calories from sugar is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
Is corn bad your health?
Yes, it is. Corn is a starchy vegetable that is consumed by millions in many ways. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential minerals, corn is a healthy addition to any meal. However, it has attracted a fair bit of negative reputation.
What are the health benefits of eating corn?
Health Benefits
- Good Source of Antioxidants. Corn is surprisingly a high-antioxidant food. ...
- High in Fiber. Does corn make you poop? ...
- Slowly Digested Source of Carbohydrates. Corn is high in starch, which is a type of complex carbohydrate that supports steady energy levels. ...
- Naturally Gluten-Free. ...
- Part of Traditional Diets Linked to Longevity and Overall Health. ...
Why does the human body not digest corn?
The outer coating owes its resilience to a tough fiber called cellulose, which humans don't have the proper enzymes or gut bacteria to digest. Even ruminant animals, such as cattle, which are much better equipped to digest cellulose, can't always fully digest corn, Watson told Live Science.
What are the disadvantages of eating corn?
Here are some of the major corn side effects that you should be aware of:Allergic Reactions. ... Risk Of Pellagra. ... Not Good For Diabetics. ... Causes Bloating And Flatulence. ... Causes Indigestion And Stomach Upset. ... Causes Intestinal Irritation And Diarrhea. ... Causes Tooth Decay. ... Causes Osteoporosis.More items...•
Is eating corn daily good for health?
Corn is rich in fiber and plant compounds that may aid digestive and eye health. Yet, it's high in starch, can spike blood sugar and may prevent weight loss when consumed in excess. The safety of genetically modified corn may also be a concern. Still, in moderation, corn can be part of a healthy diet.
Is corn anti inflammatory?
Corn also has been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. A study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found a component of corn to decrease the inflammatory response associated with colitis.
Is corn good for losing belly fat?
Corn can cause weight gain if eaten in excess like any other food. However, when eaten in moderation, the high fiber content in corn can contribute to weight loss. Corn can contribute to weight reduction as a whole, and it does not have any particular effect on belly fat.
Health Benefits
Corn is a great source of potassium, an essential nutrient that many Americans don’t get enough of. Potassium helps regulate the circulatory system, maintaining adequate blood flow and a strong heartbeat. Low potassium levels may lead to a potentially serious condition called hypokalemia .
Nutrition
Corn contains vitamin B6, a nutrient necessary for maintaining healthy levels of pyridoxine. Pyridoxine deficiency can cause anemia and may increase the risk of developing heart disease, depression, and premenstrual syndrome .
What Is Corn?
Corn is a domesticated crop that is thought to have originated from a Mexican grass called teosinte — corn’s closest relative — over 8,700 years ago. Christopher Columbus introduced corn to Europe around the late 1400s. From there, the rest of the world came to know it by way of travelers and traders.
Corn Varieties and Health Benefits
There are many different varieties of corn. Here are some of the most common ones.
What About Popcorn?
Popcorn is a whole grain with many nutrients, including a significant amount of fiber and polyphenols. Although there are many delicious ways to prepare this popular snack, the mode of preparation is key. That’s where you can transform a healthy snack into an unhealthy one.
Corn, Pesticides, and GMOs
Largely as a result of being grown in enormous monocultures with little to no rotation of crops, corn is highly susceptible to pests. As such, farmers often spray it with pesticides and herbicides, most of which the thick corn husk prevents from infiltrating the edible part.
Environmental Concerns with Corn
Over half of the grain grown on the planet, and a strong majority of the corn, is being fed to livestock, not humans. And it takes between 8- 12 pounds of corn to produce one pound of feedlot beef. This is not exactly the peak of efficiency. In fact, modern meat production is something of a protein factory in reverse…
Corn For Humans: How To Enjoy It
When choosing corn on the cob, look for uniformly green and tightly wrapped ears. The cob itself should feel firm all the way around. If you notice that the brown silk peeking out of the top is slightly damp, that’s a good thing. However, if the husk has any holes in it, choose another one — this could indicate worms.
Kernels of Truth
If you’re allergic to corn, as some people are, then, of course, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway): Don’t eat it. For most people, however, the unprocessed, non-GMO variety is a nutritious food that can be a healthy addition to your diet.
Eye health
Macular degeneration and cataracts are among the world’s most common visual impairments and major causes of blindness ( 33 ).
Prevention of diverticular disease
Diverticular disease (diverticulosis) is a condition characterized by pouches in the walls of your colon. The main symptoms are cramps, flatulence, bloating, and — less often — bleeding and infection.
Antinutrients in corn
Like all cereal grains, whole grain corn contains phytic acid (phytate).
Mycotoxins
Some cereal grains and legumes are susceptible to contamination by fungi.
Corn intolerance
Gluten intolerance or celiac disease is a common condition caused by an auto-immune response to gluten in wheat, rye, and barley.
What Is Corn?
Corn, also known as maize, is a starchy vegetable that comes as kernels on a cob, covered by a husk. Corn is one of the most popular vegetables in the U.S. that sometimes gets a bad rap because it has a lot of natural sugar and carbs. But don't overlook the health benefits of this versatile veggie.
Corn Health Benefits
Don't let the sweet taste fool you. Choosing corn and whole-grain corn products -- rather than food that has processed white flour -- can lead to better gut health and help lower your chances of getting diseases like cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Corn Risks
Corn is a starchy vegetable, like potatoes and peas. That means it has sugar and carbohydrates that can raise your blood sugar levels. It can still be a healthy part of your diet if you don't overdo it. If you have diabetes, you don't necessarily need to avoid corn, but watch your portion sizes.
How to Prepare and Store Corn
You can boil, steam, roast, or grill corn on the cob. Keep the husk on for roasting and grilling. For faster cooking, put corn in the microwave for about 2 minutes per ear. You'll find that this veggie also makes a hearty addition to soups, stews, and casseroles.
16 health benefits of corn
In addition to its delicious sweet taste, corn is rich in fiber, low in fat, and a great source of essential nutrients that offer several health benefits detailed below.
B.- Benefits of corn for the skin
Corn is a good source of several vitamins including vitamin C, thiamine, and niacin, as well as minerals and antioxidants that play an important role in skincare. Below are the benefits of corn for the skin.
C.- Benefits of corn for hair
Regular consumption of a cup of corn strengthens hair follicles, as it contains powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin C and lycopene, which help in the production of collagen and keep hair smooth.
Nutritional value of corn
Corn does not contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals, but it does contain a lot of water and is rich in dietary fiber.
1. Sweet corn is a rich source of calories
Some may be afraid of the word “calorie,” but we need calories to live. Corn provides a great staple with 342 calories per 100 grams (about a large ear of corn). This plant also has a very low glycemic index.
2. Sweet corn is loaded with the B-vitamin complex
Sweet corn is rich in B-vitamin constituents, particularly thiamin (B1) and niacin (B3). Thiamin is essential for maintaining proper nerve health and cognitive function. Niacin has been known to increase an individual’s “good” cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.
3. Sweet corn can help fight anemia
Anemia is the decrease of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The vitamin B12 and folic acid found in corn help prevent anemia caused by a vitamin deficiency. Corn is also a good source of iron, which is essential for the body to create new red blood cells.
5. Sweet corn can help boost your vitamin A levels
Sweet corn is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A and provides maintenance of great vision and skin. Vitamin A can also help one’s mucous membranes and improves one’s immune system.
6. Sweet corn may possess cosmetic benefits
Corn starch is used in many cosmetic products and may also be applied to the skin to soothe rashes and irritation. Corn products can be used to replace carcinogenic petroleum products, which are major constituents of many cosmetic preparations.
7. Sweet corn can help one fight cancer
A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry suggested that corn is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants fight cancer-causing free radicals and can induce apoptosis in cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected.
