Is popcorn good for your health?

 


Popcorn, which is typically thought of as a staple snack for consumption while watching a movie, is also considered to be a snack option that is beneficial to one's health.

There is some evidence that eating popcorn can be beneficial to your health, such as the fact that it contains several vitamins and minerals. There are also other elements, such as the oil that was used to pop the meal or any other seasonings that were applied, that may add other nutrients to the food. Continue reading to find out more.


The Nutrients of Popcorn

In general, a cup of air-popped popcorn that is unsalted comprises the following components:1

  • Calories: 30 calories
  • Fat: < 1 gramme
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: < 1 milligramme
  • Carbohydrates: 6.23 grammes
  • Fibre: 1.21 grammes
  • Protein: < 1 gramme

Benefits of popcorn

Even in its popped form, corn still qualifies as a complete grain. Whole grains are an essential source of a variety of essential nutrients, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals. A number of essential elements, including magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, B, and E, can be found in corn in particular. 2

In contrast to refined grains, which have had their fibre and nutritional value removed, whole grains still contain the entirety of the grain, making them an excellent source of satiety.

Popcorn accounts for 17% of the whole-grain food intake in the United States. Those who consume popcorn also consume a greater quantity of whole grains and fibre than those who do not consume popcorn. Those who eat a lot of popcorn can also have a total intake of polyphenols that is 12% higher than average. Polyphenols are chemicals that might have antioxidant qualities. 5

In addition, evidence suggests that consuming whole grains is linked to decreased levels of inflammation as well as a reduced risk of a number of health issues, including the following:

  • The disease of the coronary arteries
  • Diabetes
  • Unhealthy levels of blood pressure
  • A number of cancers

Consuming whole grains has even been related to a reduced body mass index (BMI) and less abdominal fat. The body mass index (BMI) is an inaccurate and archaic metric that makes inferences about your body fat and, as a consequence, your overall health based on your height and weight. This statistic is problematic in many different ways, including the fact that it does not take into account a person's body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, or age. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is still widely used within the medical industry due to the fact that it is a low-cost and speedy method for analysing health data.


Is Popcorn Good for You?

Just eating popcorn in its most fundamental form can be beneficial to one's health. Take into consideration the sizes of the portions. Although a standard portion of popcorn consists of three to three and a half cups, it is surprisingly simple to consume a whole full-sized bag in a single sitting. In addition, the increased salt might lead to fluid retention, which can result in bloating.


Also, the components that go into the production of popcorn or the packaging process can present other possibilities for obtaining additional nutrients or advantages from the snack.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What Does "Pre-Workout" Mean?

7 exercises to reduce belly fat