Health benefits of corn – Corn is fibrous foods containing carbohydrates. It is filling so that many people also consume corn as a staple food. Aside from being a staple food, maize also save a lot of health benefits. Among the health benefits of corn are control diabetes, lower blood pressure, better for heart health and is also good for the baby in the womb because it can prevent neural tube defects when birth.
Corn is very popular around the world, and even some countries and regions make corn as a staple food like in one region of Americas and some country in Africa.
Kernel Corn is the most widely used of corn. Even most of the corn nutrients derived from kernels. Corn kernel has several colors depending on varieties and growing.
Corn Nutritional Facts
This food is very good for health. It not only provides a lot of calories but also contain a number of vitamins and minerals that support the body’s health. Corn became a source for vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B, and for some minerals. Fiber is one of the largest content in corn that great importance. Good fiber in digestion, preventing constipation and colorectal cancer.
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In addition, corn also contains a lot of antioxidants that are important for health. Antioxidants act as arsinogenik that useful for preventing diseases associated with mental health such as Alzheimer’s.
Awesome Health Benefits of Corn
1. Containing calories
Corn is a cereal that contains high calories so it become a staple food in some areas of the world. In 100 grams of corn contains 342 cal and this is the highest calorie food among many other cereals. The number of calories in corn into a dependency many populations in the world.
2. Reduce hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer
The next, health benefits of corn is prevent various diseases associated with digestion such as colorectal cancer, constipation and hemorrhoids. It’s thanks to the rich content of fiber in corn. In 1 cup of corn contains up to 18.4% of the daily requirement of fiber. Fiber has long been known as a natural ingredient to facilitate the process of waste disposal. Also, It will clean the hull of waste and keep the stomach healthy. In addition, fiber is also beneficial to bind to cholesterol and fat and excreted through feces.
3. Warehouse for many minerals
Corn is good for health because it contains minerals in large quantities. Among the mineral that is found in corn is phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. These minerals can be found in all types of corn. Benefits of phosphorus is essential for normal growth and maintenance of bone health as well as maintain good kidney function. While magnesium in corn is useful to keep the heart rate and in improving bone health.
4. Warehouse for many vitamins
Corn is a food belonging to the rich grain of the constituents of vitamin B such as thiamin and niacin. Niacin is very important for the body, niacin deficiency can cause pellagra disease, dementia, and dermatitis (a disease common in the malnourished). While thiamin are substances that are essential for maintaining nerve health and cognitive function.
More: Vitamin B12 Benefits for Health
Besides that, corn also contains pantothenic acid which is an essential vitamin for carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism in the body. Corn is food high in folic acid and it is good for pregnant women and children. Pregnant women deficiency in folic acid can cause birth with overweight and neural tube defects. High content of vitamin E is also very important for the growth and protection against disease.
5. Containing antioxidants
The high content of antioxidants in corn helpful for the prevention of harmful free radicals that attack the skin and body. Thus, the health benefits of corn is very good in preventing cancer caused by free radicals. Like that the results of research conducted by Cornell University.
Corn is also rich in the phenolic compounds that are useful for maintaining the body against tumors and causes of breast cancer and liver cancer. Not only that, the purple corn was found substances called anthocyanins. This substance is worthwhile to prevent the bad effects of free radicals.
purple corn
6. Prevents anemia
Health benefits of corn are also evident in preventing anemia. It is thanks to many iron content in corn. Iron act as essential mineral for the body to produce red blood cells.
7. Protect the heart
One study reported that corn oil contains anti-atherogenic on cholesterol levels that beneficial to reduce the risk of heart disease. Corn containing various combinations of corn oil fatty acids that are excellent in maintaining heart health.
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8. Lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
Consuming corn oil has significant benefits for heart health, because it can reduce the absorption of bad cholesterol (LDL). However, it does not make HDL or good cholesterol lessened. HDL remains in the body and will be helpful in keeping the heart and steer clear of a variety of cardiovascular disorders such as cardiovascular, atherosclerosis, and free radicals in every part of the body.
9. Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes
Consuming organic vegetables and organic fresh fruits good for health, especially that associated with diabetes. Research shows that consuming organic vegetables helpful in managing insulin. In addition, the corn contains phytochemicals that function in regulating absorption and release insulin in the body. It is very helpful in reducing the risk of diabetes.
10. Sources of vitamin A
Furthermore, the health benefits of corn was good in maintaining skin health. Corn contains beta-carotene which forms vitamin A in the body and good in maintaining skin health. Thus, beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A, it will form vitamin A in the body, but only in the amount that needed by the body. Other benefits of vitamin A is immune boosting and maintaining healthy mucus membranes.
While Carotene is not changed as vitamin A will act as an anti-oxidant that is very strong. These antioxidants will eradicate chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Quick Ideas to Present Maize
Steamed corn
Peel fresh corn and cook in clean water. Enter little margarine, salt, lemon juice and cook until done.
WARNING!
People suffering from heart disease should be careful in consuming the corn. Corn contains high fatty acids that are not good or dangerous for people who consume excess fatty acids. Also, corn is often made into high fructose syrup, it is can lead to diabetes if consumed in large amount. So, avoid consuming high amounts of corn if you want to get the health benefits of corn.