Five Important Health Benefits Related To Eating Popcorn That Might Extend Your Life

If you love popcorn as a snack, you will be happy to know that it has five amazing health benefits that may help you live longer. There is no one miracle food that is a fountain of youth, but medical science concurs to the following; Foods that are plant based, low in sodium and fat are heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Each of these has been proven to cause premature death. Keep reading to find out how popcorn can play a role in helping you live longer.

1. Aids weight loss

Popcorn is low in fat and calories and is the go snack if you want to lose a few pounds, and keep them off. Caroline West Passerrello, is a registered nutritionist, dietitian, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She says that 3 cups of air-popped popcorn have only 2 grams of fat and 110 calories. She adds that the healthy benefits of popcorn can be undone by adding extras including oil and butter. Multiple studies have indicated that obesity can lead to many health issues which cause death. Eating popcorn instead of salty, greasy snacks will help you maintain your weight.

2. Whole grain benefits

According to the Whole Grains Council, each kernel of popcorn contains the entirety of the grain, the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. Refined grains go through a process that removes the germ and the bran from many products. This causes a loss of protein and at least 17 important nutrients. The USDA says that one serving of popcorn has about 70 percent of the daily recommended allowance for whole grain.

3. Popcorn can keep blood sugar levels in check

Blood sugar levels that are not kept in check can lead to blindness, numbness, and tingling in hands and legs, amputation, and death. Many unhealthy snacks can cause blood glucose levels to rise. The glycemic index in foods indicates how much blood sugar levels will increase after consuming food. Air-popped popcorn scores a 55 for its glycemic index score.

Snacks filled with salt and sugar have higher scores.That puts it near the upper end of low-glycemic index foods, according to the U S Department of Agriculture. A low-GI reading is desirable because foods with that have a lower score improve both lipid levels and glucose readings for diabetics. Foods that have a lower glycemic index reading are absorbed more slowly through the digestive system. This offers the double benefit of delaying the sensation of hunger and causing you to feel full longer.

4. It may prevent disease, and improve eyesight

According to the USDA, eating popcorn has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. The reason for this is because the hull contains polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Popcorn hulls also contain lutein, zeaxnthin beta-carotene, snd lutein. All three of these have been proven to boost eye health. Please keep in mind that moderation is the key. Don’t over-indulge in an attempt to gain 20/20 vision.

5. Loaded with vitamins and minerals

The USDA says that Popcorn contains 8 percent of your daily value of iron, and has other minerals including magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and calcium. This whole-grain snack also has vitamins A, K, and B6, along with riboflavin, folate, thiamin, Pantothenic acid and thiamin.

Increasing consumption of healthy foods that are high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals improves overall health. Consuming whole grains decreases appetite and aids the digestive system, Popcorn is not a wonder food or the fountain of youth, but along with other healthy lifestyle choices it can assist in keeping you healthy which in turn can add years to your life.

If you find that you just cannot enjoy plain air-popped corn try adding spices to replace salt and butter. Garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano, cumin, paprika, black pepper, and other spices can be used alone or in combinations. You might also want to try Mrs. Dash, Soul Food seasoning, Old Bay or other products depending on your taste buds.