What is popcorn

What is popcorn

Popcorn is a heat-popped corn, as inside the corn grain there is a small amount of water, which causes it to pop when exposed to heat, as the corn grain expands and becomes larger in size and takes a semi-random shape in white color.

There are many health and therapeutic benefits of popcorn, including the benefits of popcorn for pressure, the benefits of popcorn for children, and the benefits of popcorn for pregnant women. Learn about them, as well as what are the potential harms of popcorn.

The nutritional value of popcorn

The nutritional value of popcorn is high, as it contains:

Popcorn is high in fiber, which makes it a better option than eating potato chips.

Many vitamins such as vitamin B group.

Some major minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.

protein.

Low amounts of calories because it is low in fat and sugar, and free of cholesterol.

Also read: Foods with very few calories

Health benefits of popcorn

There are many health and therapeutic benefits of popcorn, which may include:

The benefits of popcorn for diabetes

The benefits of popcorn for diabetes are evident, as the fiber contributes to regulating the process of absorbing sugar, thus regulating blood sugar levels. The glycemic index of popcorn is 55; Thus, the levels of sugar and insulin in the blood increase gradually, and therefore it is considered one of the foods recommended for diabetics to reduce fluctuations in blood sugar levels, as the American Dietetic Association defines the equivalent of 3 cups of the type made with air.

For more: the benefits of popcorn for diabetes

The benefits of popcorn for stress

The benefits of popcorn for pressure are in preventing high blood pressure in the body because it contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and it is free from sodium, which makes it a whole grain that is preferable to eat to reduce high blood pressure in the DASH Diet.

The benefits of popcorn for the heart

The benefits of popcorn for the heart are evident in the fibers inside it getting rid of the cholesterol accumulated on the walls of blood vessels and arteries. Thus, it prevents heart disease, heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes.

The benefits of popcorn for constipation

It was found that eating whole grains such as popcorn is useful in treating constipation by stimulating the gastrointestinal tract to secrete digestive juices, and maintaining the health of the entire digestive system, because it contains:

Popcorn contains dietary fiber that stimulates bowel movements and regulates digestion. Thus, it helps in getting rid of constipation.

A large percentage of polyphenols that promote a healthy digestive system.

Vitamin B group and Vitamin E.

Also read: Fast-acting constipation remedy

The benefits of popcorn for cancer

The benefits of popcorn in preventing cancer are evident because it contains many powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols that fight free radicals, and prevent cancers such as prostate and breast cancer, and many other diseases.

More: Food and Cancer

The benefits of popcorn for the diet

The benefits of popcorn in losing weight are evident when consumed in moderation, as a regular cup contains 31 calories, and it also contains fiber that makes people feel full, and a low percentage of saturated fat.

Read also: the benefits of popcorn for weight loss

Popcorn to fight aging

The reason for the anti-aging benefits of popcorn is that it contains antioxidants that combat the signs of aging and aging, such as the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots that appear on the skin.

The benefits of popcorn for children

There are many benefits of popcorn for children because it is a whole grain rich in fiber that enhances the health of the digestive system, helps in treating constipation and helps to feel full. Although it is one of the favorite snacks for children, it should not be offered to children under the age of 4 because they are unable to chew it, which could cause suffocation.

Benefits of popcorn for pregnant women

There are many benefits of popcorn for pregnant women because it contains:

High in fiber, which promotes regular bowel movement and helps relieve constipation.

Protein that plays an important role in blood clotting, building and repairing body cells.

Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Also read: The best vitamins for pregnant women and the fetus, according to the months of pregnancy

Popcorn damage

Despite the benefits of popcorn, the harms of popcorn to health are numerous, especially when some ingredients are added to the popcorn when preparing it, such as butter, salt, or caramel, as adding butter leads to a significant increase in calories, and adding some artificial flavors to popcorn reduces its nutritional value. Among the most prominent harms of popcorn:

Increased blood cholesterol as a result of adding butter, which leads to atherosclerosis and stroke.

Increased sodium as a result of adding large amounts of salt, which leads to fluid retention, high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart disease.

How to prepare healthy popcorn?

The best way to prepare healthy popcorn is to place the corn kernels in a dedicated home appliance or an air-pressure machine. It can also be prepared by placing the corn kernels on the fire with oil, sugar and salt until they pop and are ready.

microwave popcorn

Microwave popcorn, which comes in bag form, is microwaved for a few minutes until it's ready to pop. Most microwave popcorn bags contain:

Perfluorooctanoic acid, which causes many problems, such as:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Low weight of the baby at birth.

Thyroid disorder.

Diacetyl, a chemical found in artificial butter flavoring.

Fully or partially hydrogenated oils, which contain harmful trans fats that increase the risk of heart disease.