Sweet corn has many health benefits and comes in a range of colours including pink, white, black, even blue and of course the familiar yellow, just take your pick they are all equally delicious and stuffed with fibre.
Sweet corn is stuffed with dietary fibre making it an excellent food choice
Corn also known as sweet corn or maize, is not only delicious but also stuffed with nutrients and high in fibre making it an excellent food choice. First cultivated by the Aztecs and Mayans who were the indigenous people of Central and South America, where it has been a dietary staple for between seven and nine thousand years.
Today China and Brazil are both major producers, however, they come only second and third to the US who are by far the world’s principle producer and where it is regarded as an iconic American symbol. Quite apart from it’s commonly recognised yellow colour, it also comes in a range of other colours including red, pink, black, white and even blue.
Corn’s most important health benefit is fibre with one cup yielding 18% of the body’s daily requirement. The fibre in the diet is essential because it is responsible for lowering the LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, controlling the blood sugar levels and is also highly beneficial in the relief of constipation, haemorrhoids and reducing the risk of colon cancer. It also contains phenolic phytochemicals, which are effective in the reduction of hypertension levels.
Quite apart from the above corn It is a rich source of many nutrients including Thiamine (Vitamin B1), important in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids. Pantothenic Acid, otherwise known as (vitamin B5), helps with the physiological functions of the body and comes into its own when the adrenal glands need supporting, especially when the body comes under physical and emotional stress.
It also contains Folate, which is essential for the generation of new cells and is of particular importance during pregnancy, where it helps to prevent birth defects as in the case of spina bifida. It boasts a credible quantity of Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), an important element in the fight against many diseases, including the common cold, whilst recent research indicate that it has a moderate Glycemic Index of sixty.
Also found in varying amounts are calcium, fat, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, sugars and has a calorific count of 99 per 100grams. Corn is a versatile food that can be roasted, boiled, added to soups, stews, chowders and much more. The Native Americans grind it whilst still green or when it’s dry and used it in a similar way to rice and eaten with meat or fish and vegetables. When cold and set it is sliced, fried and eaten for breakfast in some parts of the world.
Corn starch is being used more and more to replace petroleum in the preparation and formulation of many cosmetic and medicinal products, developed to soothe rashes and skin irritations. Therefore when the delicious and ever-popular sweet corn is tossed onto the barbecue grilled and eaten, it not only becomes part of a good meal but also provide many nutrients essential for the maintenance of good health.
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