The benefits and harm of popcorn for the human body

Popcorn takes pride of place among people who regularly attend the cinema. It is also consumed in amusement parks and at home with family. Many people liked popcorn for the sweet and, on the contrary, salty taste. On this basis, many questions arise that relate to the benefits and harms of treats. Consider all aspects in more detail.

Popcorn Nutrition Facts

1. It is known that popcorn is made from corn. It includes many nutrients, including starchy compounds. In this case, the caloric content grows in proportion to how the corn is dried, then turned into popcorn. In the process of heat treatment, water evaporates, the grains become almost weightless.
2. However, after drying, the corn does not lose its beneficial qualities. Popcorn concentrates about 80 grams.carbohydrates, taking into account 100 gr. product. At the same time, the caloric content of the snack is 400 Kcal. Due to the fact that popcorn is light, you need to really try to eat so many calories.
3. In the process of making popcorn, vegetable oil is used, which increases caloric content by an order of magnitude. Also added sugar and other sweeteners, salt. The calorie content of caramelized popcorn is 460-470 Kcal.

Popcorn action

• the product with salt increases blood pressure, which is important for hypotensive;
• popcorn in caramel uplifting;
• removes harmful cholesterol, therefore, is used for the prevention of atherosclerosis;
• prevents the development of osteoporosis;
• enhances intestinal motility;
• promotes rapid digestibility of food;
• prophylactic cancer diseases;
• keeps in tune cognitive functions;
• participates in weight loss, despite the high calorie content;
• preserves the youth of the tissues of the whole organism.

Popcorn Benefits

1. Corn kernels include germ, bran, endosperm. All these elements are concentrated in barley, wheat, rice and other cereals.Valuable substances needed by the human body for full functioning.
2. The product is rich in B-group vitamins, fiber, and mineral compounds. Dietary fiber improves intestinal motility, kill the harmful microflora, fight constipation. When systematically receiving popcorn, you will improve the absorption of food and prevent its fermentation in the cavity of internal organs.
3. Vitamins of group B, namely riboflavin and pantothenic acid, have a positive effect on the psycho-emotional environment of a person. Popcorn helps to cope with anxiety, insomnia, apathetic condition and bad mood.
4. Tocopherol in combination with retinol forms the most powerful duet of antioxidants. These vitamins prevent premature aging of tissues, improve the condition of the skin and hair.
5. As part of the popcorn there are special compounds that have the feature to remove harmful cholesterol from the walls of the blood channels. All this leads to the prevention of atherosclerosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.
6. Popcorn expands the blood channels and improves blood flow to the internal organs. The latter, in turn, begin to work smoothly and in full force.
7. Experienced cardiologists in one voice argue that corn in any form should be eaten by people who have a tendency to cardiovascular pathologies. Popcorn prophylactic IHD, stroke, myocardial infarction.
8. The shell of maize grain accumulates a lot of fiber and polyphenols - the most powerful antioxidant substances. Popcorn promotes the outflow of bile, normalizes the liver and cleans its cavity from toxic compounds.
9. Numerous studies by scientists have shown that more antioxidants are concentrated in one portion of popcorn than in 100 grams. fruit or vegetables. This allows you to remove free radicals that damage the cells of the body.
10. It is useful to eat popcorn for older people to prevent the formation of senile dementia. Also, corn of this type is used for the prevention of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, night blindness, osteoporosis.
11. Despite its caloric content, popcorn belongs to products with a low glycemic index. For this reason, one or two servings will not harm the health of people suffering from diabetes. In addition, patients with celiac disease will not have health problems due to the gluten content in popcorn.

How to reduce the harm from eating popcorn

1. Do not buy ready-made popcorn in street tents, in the bazaar, in the store. Instead of corn, give preference to dried fruit or unsalted nuts.
2. If you have a strong desire to eat popcorn, buy from a trusted seller of seeds, which later form a treat. You can purchase the goods in bulk.
3. When choosing ready-made popcorn, you run the risk of gaining extra weight or “eating” preservatives and palm oil. And corn kernels do not contain these substances, you cook popcorn at home through a microwave or a stove.
4. Microwaves have a negative effect on corn kernels. It is better to pour the contents into a deep pan and cook on the stove. If desired, lubricate the bottom of the tank with corn or olive oil, but not vegetable oil (it releases carcinogens when heated).
5. Lovers of sweet popcorn in the process of cooking watered sugar syrup. Those who like salty dishes, sprinkle corn with salt. Act with your personal preferences.

Maternity Popcorn

1. Girls during the carrying of the fruit should be treated with popcorn with caution. The benefits and harms of this product are highly questionable. Therefore, the representatives of the weaker sex are interested in a pressing issue.
2. It should be borne in mind that popcorn, which is not prepared at home, by itself can not bear the benefit. When cooking the product used harmful food additives, oil is not the first freshness and dyes. Therefore, eating popcorn during pregnancy is not recommended.
3. You can look at the other side. If you choose high-quality fresh corn, you diversify the usual diet. At home, popcorn is recommended to cook in a frying pan. In the microwave oven raw materials often burns. In small portions homemade popcorn will be useful.

Popcorn for kids

1. All children love a fairly popular delicacy and can eat almost unlimited amounts. Parents should know that popcorn, which is sold in entertainment centers, has many synthetic additives, dyes and flavor enhancers.
2. Such a product is best avoided. Try to explain to the child that he is spoiled and not worth eating.Find an alternative in the form of similar sweets, such as natural marmalade, fruits, nuts.
3. Use a little trick and feed your child with a regular meal before going to the cinema. Get in advance more useful snacks that the child also loves. If possible, cook popcorn at home.
4. Thus, you yourself can control the amount of added sugar or salt in the preparation of raw materials. Natural popcorn in this case will bring undoubted benefit to the child. It is important not to give the child the opportunity to overeat. Otherwise, you will encounter a number of problems.

Popcorn Harm

1. It is proved that popcorn is addictive, do not neglect the reliable fact. Nutritionists and supporters of a healthy lifestyle do not recommend eating popcorn more than 1 time per month.
2. Keep in mind that the composition of the semi-finished or finished raw materials should not include diacetyl. The substance is detrimental to the human body. Most often, diacetyl is found in ready-made popcorn, which is sold in entertainment centers.
3. Diacetyl is a flavoring. The substance is extremely detrimental to the respiratory system.Often, the abuse of such popcorn leads to the formation of fibrosis in the lungs.
4. It is proven that non-natural popcorn contributes to Alzheimer's disease. The flavors in the finished product have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Often develop gastritis, further ulcer, flatulence of the stomach and colitis.
5. Often commercially popcorn is cooked in palm oil. The product is famous for its negative effects on the body. When heated, the plant composition produces dangerous carcinogens for humans. Substances promote the development of cancer cells by activating free radicals.
6. As a rule, when frying popcorn in palm oil, the finished product acquires a significant caloric content. Dried seeds have about 400 Kcal per 100 grams. After cooking popcorn indicator rises to the level of 1200 Kcal. Consider that if you abuse the product, obesity will increase.
7. When the product is prepared on an industrial scale, manufacturers add a large amount of sugar or salt. An excess of the latter substance in the human body leads to serious violations, in particular the water-alkaline balance.Sugar leads to rapid weight gain and the development of diabetes. The work of the pancreas is worsening.

Undoubtedly, popcorn is good for the human body, if consumed in moderation. The kids are happy to pop the popcorn while watching cartoons, while adults use it when they go to the cinema. Due to the high caloric content should not be abused product. Then you will extract for yourself only benefit.

Video: popcorn - the benefits and harm