The benefits and harms of corn, its nutritional and energy value
Many people are very fond of corn because of its unique taste. This article will tell you more about the benefits and harms of this vegetable, as well as its nutritional and energy value.
Chemical composition
The popularity of corn all over the world is huge. This plant is quite unpretentious in cultivation. At the same time, the taste of fresh corn is really unique. Many people do not like to eat vegetables, but they are very happy to include corn in their menu. From this vegetable you can also prepare a huge variety of dishes containing vitamins and trace elements in their composition.
Many people know that corn is good for health. Sweet cobs contain the following useful components:
- vitamin C;
- B vitamins;
- tocopherol;
- biotin;
- a nicotinic acid;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- ferrum;
- sodium;
- copper;
- nickel;
- calcium.
Fresh sweet corn also contains quite a lot of vegetable fibers. Vegetables rich in these components must be included in the diet of people who take care of their health. Vegetable fibers, which are found in large quantities in sweet grains, help improve the functioning of the digestive system.Also, these components can improve the functioning of the large intestine, helping to improve its motility.
Sweet fragrant corn is also useful because it contains quite a lot of organic proteins. However, some of the amino acids that make up the molecules of these vegetable proteins are unique. Once in the body, they contribute to the improvement of cell function. The composition of bright "sunny" grains also contains unique components - histidine and tryptophan. People who consume enough of these components feel less tired and feel better. These substances also contribute to the normalization of mood.
Corn is also a source of very beneficial plant lipids. Fatty acids, which are part of such vegetable fats, contribute to the normalization of lipid metabolism. So, linolenic or linoleic acid helps to reduce the manifestations of hypercholesterolemia - a pathological condition characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Contained in corn grains are also components that affect blood clotting. Thus, vitamin K present in the grains helps to reduce the risk of pathological blood clots. It is believed that this component also helps to reduce the risk of stroke and other dangerous vascular diseases.
Corn kernels also contain starch. This plant component helps to saturate the body with energy, and also supports the good functioning of muscle tissue. Also, this component is necessary to maintain good physiological functioning of nerve cells. The starch contained in corn grains also affects the functioning of the digestive system.
Calorie content and nutritional value
Sweet cobs contain quite a lot of nutrients. These substances contribute to the saturation of the body with energy, which is necessary for its active work. So, 100 grams of sweet vegetable grains contain 3.5 g of protein, 2.9 g of fat, and 15.7 g of carbohydrates. At the same time, the calorie content of this vegetable is 102 kcal per 100 grams.
The calorie content of corn can be different. The sweeter the vegetable, the more calories it contains. Sweeter vegetables also contain more carbohydrates. Such sweet varieties of corn are not suitable for people who are watching their weight.
Sweet corn is used to prepare various dishes. Sweet grains can be used to make flour, which is great for making various desserts. One of the favorite treats of many are sweet corn sticks. This dessert is familiar to us since childhood. Not only kids, but also adults love to eat sweet corn sticks.
Many people who are watching their weight are sure to follow the BJU of products. So, the calorie content of 100 grams of sweet corn sticks is 460 kcal. At the same time, this dessert also contains quite a lot of carbohydrates - 83 g per 100 grams of the product. The technology for preparing this dessert is quite complicated. Sweet corn sticks are made by processing corn flour in a special way. The calorie content of this dessert can be different. It will be higher if powdered sugar and a large amount of vegetable oil were added during its manufacture.
What is good for health?
In the "sunny" grains there is a vitamin complex of group B, which helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system.Scientists note that people who regularly eat corn are less tired. The seeds also contain substances that can increase resistance to various stresses. Young sweet corn contains quite a lot of such active components.
Also, sweet corn kernels contain substances that help fight the symptoms of depression. Sweet corn on the cob is an excellent tool that helps to saturate the human body with the energy required to perform active work. Porridge made from sweet corn is very satiating, but it does not create a strong feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Corn also contains many active ingredients that have antioxidant effects. These active ingredients ensure the maintenance of the physiological functioning of cells. Doctors note that with the regular use of foods containing substances with antioxidant properties, aging slows down, and the body's resistance to stress improves.
Sweet corn also contains active ingredients that help improve appearance. Regular use of this vegetable helps to improve skin tone, as well as increase its elasticity. In the "solar" grains, there are also substances that improve the appearance of nails. Regular consumption of corn helps to reduce the fragility of the nail plates, as well as the appearance of their natural shine.
Eating corn also helps improve the appearance of hair. This action is possible due to biotin, a specific component found in sweet grains.People who eat corn quite often note that against the background of such use, they improve the structure and appearance of their hair. Also, sweet grains contain substances that can accelerate hair growth.
The cereal contains components that affect the functioning of the digestive system. Regular consumption of dishes prepared from fresh corn helps to normalize the functioning of the large intestine. This action is an excellent prevention of constipation.
"Solar" grains also contain components that can reduce the development of malignant cells in the body. Traditional medicine experts note that the systematic use of corn helps to reduce the risk of developing tumors and various neoplasms. Corn also helps with coxarthrosis. The B vitamins and other active components contained in it contribute to slowing down the development of this pathology and the formation of dangerous complications.
The sweet vegetable also contains active ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the central nervous system. So, aromatic grains contain specific fatty acids that improve the functioning of the brain. The vegetable also contains active substances that improve memory and concentration.
The benefits of eating fresh corn are enormous. It contains substances that contribute to the elimination of metabolites and various toxic substances. Also in sweet grains there are substances that help to remove radioactive components from the intracellular environment.
Corn is also useful for some diseases of the liver and gallbladder.So, this vegetable contains substances that have a choleretic effect. These substances help prevent the development of bile stasis. This effect helps to reduce the risk of developing various pathologies of the liver and gallbladder - hepatitis or cholecystitis.
The sweet vegetable also contains components that help improve the functioning of the urinary tract and have a “mild” diuretic effect. Also, specific components contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes.
Currently, black corn is gaining more and more popularity. This plant is predominantly grown in South America. This vegetable contains many useful components that contribute to better health. The special color of the ears is given by specific active ingredients that have antioxidant properties. These substances help maintain health and prolong youth.
Black cobs also contain quite a lot of minerals that are necessary for maintaining health. So, the grains of this variety of corn contain:
- ferrum;
- magnesium;
- nickel;
- copper;
- potassium;
- calcium.
Black corn belongs to dietary products. This vegetable can be included in the menu even for people who monitor their weight. 100 grams of this vegetable contains only 120 kcal.
Black corn also contains active ingredients that help purify the blood. These substances are able to reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. This effect helps to reduce the risk of developing pathological blood clots. Also, the use of black corn helps to cleanse the blood vessels from atherosclerotic formations.
Contraindications
Corn can also be harmful to health. Adverse symptoms, as a rule, after eating this vegetable appear in people who have some chronic diseases. Also, corn can be harmful to health if consumed in large quantities.
Doctors advise caution when eating corn for people suffering from peptic ulcers. The vegetable fibers contained in this vegetable can provoke the appearance of adverse symptoms. Also, eating a fresh vegetable can provoke the appearance of soreness in the stomach.
It is extremely dangerous to use fresh corn grains for people with stomach erosions. The use of fresh corn in them can provoke the development of complications of this disease. Eating corn with this pathology should be done only after prior consultation with a gastroenterologist.
You can not use corn as well for people who have an individual intolerance to this vegetable. This pathology usually manifests itself after the first consumption of this vegetable. If after that a person has pain in the abdomen or frequent stools, then in the future this vegetable should be discarded.
Allergy to corn is another contraindication for its use. It should be noted that this pathology is quite rare in medical practice. Identifying the symptoms of an allergic pathology is quite simple. The clinical signs of this pathology include skin red rashes, which are very itchy and cause discomfort. The first adverse symptoms usually appear within a few hours after eating the product - the allergen.
Caution when eating juicy corn grains should also be observed by people suffering from blood diseases. Before eating this vegetable, be sure to consult a doctor.
Can it be eaten raw?
Juicy corn kernels contain many active components that contribute to better health. Temperature treatment, as a rule, contributes to the destruction of many substances. So, for example, ascorbic acid contained in sweet raw grains, when exposed to high temperatures, can simply collapse.
Sweet raw grains contain quite a lot of natural tocopherol - a natural "beauty vitamin". People who eat enough foods containing tocopherol tend to look better and feel much more energetic.
Raw corn helps to accelerate the contractile function of the intestine. Dishes prepared from raw grains help to normalize the contractions of the large intestine, which is an excellent prevention of constipation. Including these raw vegetables in the diet is recommended for people who have difficulty with regular bowel movements.
Eating raw corn also helps to cleanse the body of toxic substances. The use of fresh vegetables that have not undergone heat treatment helps to remove radionuclide substances and metabolites from the body. Such cleansing contributes to the normalization of the internal organs. Natural cleansing of the body is also a good prevention of various dangerous diseases.
Raw corn also contains many active substances that help improve the functioning of the gallbladder. They have an antispasmodic effect.This effect helps prevent the development of stagnation of bile. The choleretic effect after eating raw corn is quite pronounced.
To reduce the risk of developing adverse symptoms after eating raw vegetables, be sure to wash them thoroughly. This simple treatment will help reduce the risk of infection with dangerous germs that can lead to food poisoning.
Eating raw young vegetables also helps to improve the appearance. Sweet, uncooked vegetables contain quite a lot of natural liquid with minerals dissolved in it. After eating such young vegetables, skin hydration and its appearance improve.
Sweet raw corn is also great for those with a sweet tooth. Such natural sweetness is a great alternative to harmful sweets. Sweet raw corn can also be used in the preparation of various dishes.
Features of use
Corn contains a whole complex of active substances that can affect the functioning of the body. This vegetable should be carefully consumed by people suffering from chronic diseases. Sweet grains contain many useful components that help improve a person's well-being, as well as reduce the risk of developing various complications of certain pathologies.
With diabetes
People who have frequent “jumps” in blood sugar due to hyperglycemia should definitely take into account the carbohydrate content of each food. When including sweet cobs in the diet, diabetics should remember that they contain quite a lot of natural sugar.
In type 2 diabetes, it is also very important to monitor one more important clinical indicator - the glycemic index. Foods with a high glycemic index in the diet of a person with diabetes are best avoided. Too frequent use of these products can lead to aggravation of the course of this disease, as well as provoke the appearance of complications. Corn cannot be classified as a vegetable that is suitable for consumption by people with type 2 diabetes. The glycemic index of this vegetable is 70 units. Frequent consumption of foods that have such values \u200b\u200bcan lead not only to an increase in blood sugar, but also to a set of extra pounds.
Canned corn, which contains sugar, is not suitable for diabetics. The sugar contained in this product can provoke the appearance of dangerous complications of the disease, some of which are extremely dangerous. Also, people with type 2 diabetes should not include sweet corn sticks in their menu, as they also contain quite a lot of glucose.
With gastritis
In gastric diseases, diet therapy is very important. During an exacerbation of chronic gastritis, all vegetables that can provoke a deterioration in well-being should be excluded from the diet. Under a special ban - raw vegetables. The vegetable fibers contained in them can lead to the appearance of pain, as well as to the formation of complications of gastritis.
It is better to eat corn during the remission of the disease. During an unstable remission, this vegetable is best cooked. So, for example, sweet corn can be used to make a delicious puree soup. Such a dish is not only nutritious, but also very healthy.Corn porridge can also be included in the diet of a person who suffers from gastritis. When eating corn, a person suffering from gastritis should carefully monitor their well-being. If, after eating a vegetable, a person suffering from this pathology has pain in the abdomen and other unpleasant symptoms, then you should not eat it. In this case, you should definitely seek the advice of a doctor.
During acute gastritis, fresh corn should not be consumed. The plant fibers present in the grains can contribute to the appearance of pain in the abdomen, as well as aggravate the course of the disease. You can enter a vegetable in the menu for acute gastritis only after the final recovery.
People suffering from inflammatory diseases of the stomach should eat only fresh cobs during remission. It is better not to use canned corn, as this product contains quite a lot of additives that can provoke a deterioration in well-being. Also, with gastritis, you should not eat popcorn. It is also better not to use fried corn in oil with this pathology.
For weight loss and diet
Corn on the cob can also be used to normalize weight. In order for the process of losing weight to proceed more efficiently, you should choose young fresh vegetables. At the same time, for a diet, it is better to choose vegetables of less sweet varieties, since they contain less natural sugar.
In order to lose weight, in addition to the usual yellow corn, you can also use black cobs. They contain less sugar, and the calorie content of the vegetable is somewhat lower. Black corn also contains a complex of vitamins and minerals that improve the functioning of the body.
The corn diet is best done during the vegetable ripening season. The cobs of sun-ripened culture contain a whole range of active ingredients that improve the functioning of internal organs. Eating fresh vegetables helps to improve bowel function, which also contributes to weight loss.
Corn can also be used for a mono-diet. In order to lose weight, this vegetable should be consumed within three days. After carrying out such a mono-diet, you can get rid of a couple of extra pounds. This method of weight loss can be used only by people who have no contraindications to the use of this vegetable.
For people who want to lose weight, it is better to eat fresh vegetables. However, they can be eaten raw or boiled. You can also steam corn. At the same time, salt should not be added to vegetables. This can lead to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which will slow down the process of losing weight.
Canned sweet corn contains quite a lot of sugar. Manufacturers additionally add it in order to make the product sweeter. Canned corn for weight loss should not be used.
In order to quickly get rid of extra pounds, it is better to eat corn in the morning, as this vegetable contains quite a lot of carbohydrates. You should not eat dishes prepared from this vegetable at night, as this can slow down the process of losing weight.
On the beneficial properties of corn, see the following video.