Corn: yes, it is a proven health food, and here are 3 reasons why

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Long considered a vegetable to eat only in moderation or even avoid (according to low-carbohydrate enthusiasts, for example), corn is actually very good for your health! Serving up a healthy dose of B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, and packed with antioxidants, corn is a very healthy choice! Whole corn is also considered a natural way to increase healthy gut flora, which is crucial to keeping chronic inflammation down. (1)

Here are three good reasons to incorporate more fresh corn (or popcorn!) into your diet:

1. Corn is an excellent source of antioxidants

Corn is full of phytonutrients, which are the source of its numerous antioxidants, which include: (2)

  • anthocyanins
  • beta-carotene
  • caffeic acid
  • coumaric acid
  • ferulic acid
  • lutein
  • syringic acid
  • vanillic acid
  • protocatechuic acid
  • zeaxanthin

What is especially interesting and unique about corn is the fact that contrary to many other foods high in antioxidants, cooking corn actually increases the amount of cancer-fighting antioxidants! In the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a study found that the cooking of sweet corn increased its antioxidant activity by a whopping 44 percent. (3)

Of particular interest are the phytonutrients known as anthocyanins, which are found in purple corn. These are known to wipe out the free radicals known to cause cancer. (4)

2. Corn is a rich source of the B vitamins Thiamin and Niacin

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. It helps convert carbohydrates into energy, in particular for the brain and nervous system. It also helps the body with the conduction of nerve signals, and is crucial for cognitive function. (5)

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is another B vitamin that converts carbohydrates to energy. It is also essential for a healthy digestive system, healthy skin and nerve functioning. (6)

3. Corn is an anemia-fighting vegetable

Iron deficiency anemia is an extremely common condition in which the body does not have enough iron for its red blood cells. The main signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include: (7)

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headache
  • Pale skin

However, the good news is that iron deficiency anemia is very easily preventable and treatable! Including iron-rich foods regularly in your diet will protect you from ever having an iron deficiency causing anemia, and if you have that kind of anemia, then eating iron rich foods will nip it in the bud.

Most people think of meat when they think of iron rich foods, but there are many other sources, and corn is one of them! (8)

Last but not least, popcorn is an excellent way to enjoy your corn – it is a very healthy snack loaded with polyphenols, which help eradicate cell-damaging free radicals. (9)


Antonia is a science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition. She has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. Read more by Antonia here, and SUBSCRIBE!


Sources for this article include:
(1) www.rodalesorganiclife.com
(2) www.whfoods.com
(3) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
(4) www.organicfacts.net
(5) www.nlm.nih.gov
(6) www.nlm.nih.gov
(7) www.nhlbi.nih.gov
(8) letsgohealthy.blogspot.com
(9) www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com

Antonia
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. (http://www.rawfoodhealthwatch.com/)