Sweet corn is one of the most popular starchy vegetable that offers various nutritional benefits and thus doubles as a functional food. Besides high in carbohydrate content, it is also rich in nutrients including beta carotene and Lutein, manganese,phosphorus and vitamins. Corn is not an unhealthy food if taken in a balanced form along with proteins and fats. Here are top 10 health benefits of sweet cornReduces risk of Hemorrhoids
Due to its high fiber content, sweet corn aids in alleviating digestive problems such as constipation and hemorrhoids. Fiber content of sweet corn helps to bulk up bowel movements, which stimulates peristaltic motion and stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile.
Controls Diabetes
A healthy balanced diet has been linked to reduced signs of diabetes. Studies have shown that corn kernels helps managing non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The phytochemicals present in corn, regulates the absorption and release of insulin in the body, which can reduce the sudden spikes and drops of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Top Healthy Carbohydrates for Diabetics
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Sweet corn contains folate, commonly known as Vitamin B9, which is highly beneficial in lowering the homocysteine levels the body. This homocysteine is responsible for damaging the blood vessels and can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even peripheral vascular disease. Balanced consumption of sweet corn can reduce the risk of heart attack by as much as 10 percent. Health Benefits of Vitamin B9
Lowers Levels of “Bad” Cholesterol
Sweet corn lowers LDL or bad cholesterol by reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the body. Sweet corn doesn’t affect the level of “good cholesterol”. By reducing the LDL, sweet corn prevents atherosclerosis and free radicals as well.
Regulates Hypertension
Studies have shown that corn kernels are effective against high blood pressure due to the presence of phytochemicals in them. These phytochemicals regulates high blood pressure by reducing the built up bad cholesterol in the arteries, and in turn reduces inflammation.
Enhances Memory
Sweet corn is rich in Vitamin B1, which is an essential nutrient required for maintaining healthy brain cell and cognitive function and production of neurotransmitter. This neurotransmitter maintains the memory capabilities and lowers the risk of Alzhemier’s disease.
Boosts Immune System
Vitamin A is a micro nutrient which is required by our body in a very small quantity. It enhances the efficiency of our immune system and prevents common infections such as common cold and flu. Sweet corn is a rich source of beta-carotene, which forms Vitamin A in our body and helps in fighting of free radials and boosting our immunity.
Prevents Iron Deficiency Anemia
Sweet corn contains vitamins and iron which significantly promotes the production of red blood cells and thus reduces the risk of iron deficiency and anemia .
Rich source of magnesium and phosphorus
Corn contains abundant minerals which positively benefits our body. Magnesium is required by our body for maintaining normal heart rate and for promoting bone health. Phosphorus in corn regulates normal growth and optimal kidney functioning.
Soothes skin rashes
Corn has cosmetic benefits. Corn powder soothes the rashes and skin irritation when applied topically. Corn products can be used as skin care products as well. Corn Flour Face Masks for healthy and glowing skin
Note: Sweet corn offers plenty of nutritional benefits and can be included as a part of a balanced diabetic diet as well. Make sure that to balance it with protein and fat sources as they can mitigate the effect of carbohydrate-rich foods on blood glucose levels.
Corn: benefits, calories
Corn is an ancient crop native to Mexico. The cultivation and cultivation of corn is called one of the reasons that allowed the development of ancient civilizations. Eat sugar corn, which has the greatest value.
Corn is rich in proteins and carbohydrates, with only 1% fat in a product unit. Corn contains natural gold.
The vitamin and mineral composition of corn deserves special attention, and these are: nicotinic, pantothenic, folic, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, tocopherol, which help strengthen the body, reports the authoritative online edition of WebMD.
Corn is rich in calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper, nickel, magnesium and replaces the whole vitamin complex.
The benefits of corn are as follows, writes R. S. Halilova, head of the department of pharmacology, in an article:
The plant is rich in fiber, which stimulates intestinal motility and helps with constipation.
Corn effectively fights cholesterol and restores the functioning of the vegetovascular system.
The plant normalizes the production of sex hormones.
Trace elements and vitamins, which are rich in corn, act as antidepressants, help cope with overwork, restore the nervous system.
The substances that the plant is rich in effectively fight the manifestation of toxicosis and stimulate lactation in nursing mothers.
The enzymatic composition of corn prevents the development of cancer cells in the walls of the colon.
Selenium, which is part of corn, is involved in the cleansing of the liver and gall bladder.
For those who follow the diet and adhere to a diet, it will be interesting to know how many calories are contained in 100 grams of the product, depending on the type of processing. So:
raw grains – 86 kcal;
boiled grains – 123 kcal;
grains processed with steam – 80 kcal;
canned grains – 120 kcal.
Despite the fact that corn is one of the few plants that does not absorb harmful chemical compounds from the soil, it is better to refuse to use a raw product.
Choose young fresh heads of cabbage that will boil quickly. Such a product does not harm health. Boiled corn will retain all the nutrients and minerals, it will be tasty and will remain fragrant.
Corn: harm, contraindications
Corn, like any product, can have a negative effect on the body.
The damage from corn is expressed as follows:
- Corn stimulates the blood coagulation process, -saturated with vitamin K.
- Corn grains – heavy food for digestion.
- Corn can cause flatulence.
- To abandon corn in the diet is in such cases as:
thrombophlebitis, thrombosis or varicose veins;
exacerbation of a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer;
an excess of vitamin K in the body;
individual intolerance to the product.
It is strongly not recommended to use corn for people with poor appetite and people suffering from malnutrition. For the digestion of corn, enzymes are needed that the exhausted body does not produce.
When evaluating how harmful corn can be, pay attention to how it is cooked. It is important whether you eat fresh or restored corn.
Canned corn is no less useful than cooked corn, provided that the workpiece was not made from the recovered product. To know what raw materials were used in the production of canned food, the date of manufacture will help.
Never eat canned corn that has been opened and stored in a tin can for longer than 12 hours. Under the influence of air, the metal oxidizes, releasing harmful compounds that the product absorbs.
Corn is deservedly called the queen of the fields. This is an incredibly tasty and healthy product. Cereals of the plant have a unique vitamin and mineral composition.
But with excessive use and in some cases, corn can harm health. Be mindful of your body. Pay attention to the usefulness of corn and who better to exclude this product from the diet.
