The benefits and harms of corn, its nutritional and energy value
Many people love 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 around the world is enormous. This plant is quite unpretentious in growing. At the same time, the taste of fresh corn is truly unique. Many people do not like to eat vegetables, but they include corn with great pleasure in their menu. From this vegetable it is also possible to prepare a huge amount of various dishes containing vitamins and trace elements.
The fact that corn is good for health, many people know. The sweet cob contains the following beneficial ingredients:
- vitamin C;
- B vitamins;
- tocopherol;
- biotin;
- a nicotinic acid;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- ferrum;
- sodium;
- copper;
- nickel;
- calcium.
Fresh sweet corn contains quite a lot of vegetable fibers. Vegetables rich in these ingredients must be included in the diet of people who monitor their health. Vegetable fibers, which are contained in large quantities in sweet grains, contribute to the improvement of the digestive organs. Also, these components are able to improve the functioning of the large intestine, helping to improve its motility.
Sweet aromatic 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 plant proteins are unique. Once in the body, they help improve cell performance. The composition of the bright "sun" grains is also present unique components - histidine and tryptophan. People who consume a sufficient amount of these components are 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. Thus, linolenic or linoleic acid helps reduce the manifestations of hypercholesterolemia, a pathological condition characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.
The corn kernels also contain components that have an effect on blood clotting. Thus, the presence of vitamin K in the grains helps to reduce the risk of the formation of pathological blood clots. It is believed that this component also helps 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 good muscle tissue. Also, this component is necessary to maintain good physiological work of nerve cells. Starch contained in corn kernels also affects the functioning of the digestive system.
Calorie and nutritional value
In the sweet cob contains quite a lot of nutritional components. These substances contribute to the saturation of the body with energy, which is necessary for its active work. Thus, 100 grams of sweet vegetable grains contain 3.5 g of proteins, 2.9 g of fat, and 15.7 g of carbohydrates. At the same time the caloric content of this vegetable is 102 kcal per 100 grams.
Calorie corn may be different. The sweeter the vegetable, the more calories it contains. Sweeter vegetables also contain more carbohydrates. Such sweet corn varieties are not suitable for people who watch their weight.
Sweet corn is used for cooking various dishes. You can make flour from sweet grains, which is great for making various desserts. One of the favorite delicacies of many are sweet corn sticks. This dessert is familiar to us since childhood.Enjoy sweet corn chopsticks like not only kids but also adults.
Many people who watch their weight, be sure to follow BZHU products. Thus, the caloric 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 product. The technology of cooking this dessert is quite complicated. Sweet corn sticks are made by special processing of corn flour. The calorie content of this dessert may 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 "solar" kernels there is a vitamin complex of group B, which helps to normalize the work of the nervous system. Scientists note that people who regularly eat corn are less tired. Also in the grains contain substances that can increase resistance to various stresses. There are quite a few such active ingredients in the young sweet corn.
Also, sweet corn kernels contain substances that help fight the symptoms of depression. Ear of sweet corn is an excellent tool that helps to saturate the human body with the energy required to perform active work. Porridge made from sweet corn, perfectly saturates, but it does not create a strong feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Corn also contains many active ingredients that have an antioxidant effect. These active ingredients ensure the maintenance of the physiological work of the cells. Doctors note that with regular consumption of foods containing substances with antioxidant properties, aging is slowed down, and the body's resistance to stress is also improved.
Sweet corn cobs also contain active ingredients that help improve appearance. Regular consumption of this vegetable helps to improve skin tone, as well as increase its elasticity. In the "sun" grains there are also substances that improve the appearance of the nails. Regular use of corn helps to reduce the fragility of the nail plates, as well as the appearance of their natural shine.
The use of corn also helps to improve the appearance of the hair. Such an action is possible due to biotin - a specific component that is contained in sweet grains. People who eat corn quite often, note that against the background of such consumption they improve the structure and appearance of hair. Also in the sweet kernels contain substances that can accelerate hair growth.
The cereal contains components that affect the work 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. Specialists of traditional medicine note that the systematic use of corn helps reduce the risk of developing tumors and various neoplasms. Corn helps with coxarthrosis. The B vitamins contained in it and other active ingredients help to slow 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, which improve the functioning of the brain. Also in the vegetable contains active substances that contribute to improving memory and concentration.
The benefits of consuming fresh corn are enormous. It contains substances that contribute to the removal of metabolites and various toxic substances. Also in the sweet grains there are substances that help remove radioactive components from the intracellular environment.
Useful corn and some diseases of the liver and gallbladder. So, this vegetable contains substances that have a choleretic effect. These substances contribute to the prevention of the development of stagnant bile. Such exposure helps to reduce the risk of the formation of various pathologies of the liver and gallbladder - hepatitis or cholecystitis.
Components that contribute to the improvement of the urinary tract and have a "soft" diuretic effect are also contained in the sweet vegetable. Also, specific components contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes.
Nowadays, black corn is becoming increasingly popular. This plant is predominantly grown in South America. This vegetable contains many beneficial ingredients that contribute to better health. The specific color of the cobs give specific active ingredients that have antioxidant properties. These substances help to preserve health and also prolong youth.
Black cobs also contain quite a lot of minerals that are necessary for maintaining health. Thus, the grains of this variety of corn contain:
- ferrum;
- magnesium;
- nickel;
- copper;
- potassium;
- calcium.
Black corn refers to dietary products. This vegetable can be included in the menu even for people who watch their weight. 100 grams of this vegetable contains only 120 kcal.
Black corn also contains active ingredients that help purify the blood. These substances can reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. Such exposure helps to reduce the risk of developing the formation of pathological blood clots. Also, the use of black corn helps to clean the blood vessels from atherosclerotic formations.
Contraindications
Corn can be harmful to health. Adverse symptoms, as a rule, after eating this vegetable appear in people with some chronic diseases. Also, the health of corn can bring harm if it is consumed in large quantities.
Doctors advise caution when consuming corn to people suffering from peptic ulcer disease. Vegetable fiber contained in this vegetable can cause adverse symptoms. Also, the use of fresh vegetables can cause the appearance of pain in the stomach.
It is extremely dangerous to eat grains of fresh maize and people who have eroded stomach. The use of fresh corn in them can trigger the development of complications of this disease. Eating corn in this pathology should be only after prior consultation with a gastroenterologist.
Do not use corn as well for people who have an individual intolerance to this vegetable. This pathology is usually manifested after the first use of this vegetable. If after this a person has soreness in the abdomen or frequent stools, then in the future this vegetable should be discarded.
Allergies to corn - 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 can be quite simple. The clinical signs of this pathology are red skin rashes that itch severely and cause discomfort. The first adverse symptoms usually appear within a few hours after eating an allergen product.
Caution in the use of juicy grains of corn should be respected and to people suffering from blood diseases.Before eating this vegetable should be sure to consult a doctor.
Is it possible to eat raw?
Juicy corn kernels contain many active ingredients 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 may simply collapse when exposed to high temperatures.
Sweet raw grains contain quite a lot of natural tocopherol - a natural “vitamin of beauty”. People who consume a sufficient amount of products containing tocopherol in their composition, as a rule, look better and feel much more energetic.
Raw corn helps to accelerate the contractile function of the intestine. Dishes made from raw grains help to normalize contractions of the large intestine, which is an excellent prevention of constipation. Include these raw vegetables in the diet is recommended for people who have difficulty with regular bowel movements.
Eating raw corn also helps cleanse the body of toxic substances. The use of fresh vegetables, not subjected to heat treatment, helps to excrete radionuclide substances and metabolites. This cleansing helps to normalize the work of 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 to prevent the development of stagnant bile. The choleretic effect after eating raw corn is quite pronounced.
In order to reduce the risk of developing the appearance of adverse symptoms after eating raw vegetables, be sure to remember that they should be thoroughly washed. Such a simple treatment will help reduce the risk of infection with dangerous microbes that can lead to food poisoning.
Eating raw young vegetables also helps to improve the appearance. Sweet, non-heat-treated vegetables contain quite a lot of natural liquid with minerals dissolved in it. After eating these young vegetables improves skin moisture and its appearance.
Sweet raw corn is also great for sweet tooths. Such natural sweetness is an excellent alternative to harmful candies. Sweet raw corn can be used in the preparation of various dishes.
Features of use
Corn contains a whole range of active substances that can affect the body's work. This vegetable should be used carefully by people suffering from chronic diseases. Sweet grains contain many beneficial 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 always take into account the carbohydrate content in each food product. When sweet cobs are included 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 suffering from diabetes should be 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 can not be attributed to vegetables that are suitable for use by people suffering from type 2 diabetes. The glycemic index of this vegetable is 70 units.Frequent consumption of food with such values can 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 diabetic nutrition. The sugar in this product can trigger dangerous complications of the disease, some of which are extremely dangerous. Also, you should not include in your menu people suffering from type 2 diabetes, and sweet corn sticks, as they also contain quite a lot of glucose.
When gastritis
In gastric diseases, diet therapy is very important. During the exacerbation of chronic gastritis from the diet should be excluded all vegetables that can provoke a deterioration of health. Under a special ban - raw vegetables. The plant fibers contained in them can lead to pain, as well as the formation of complications of gastritis.
It is better to use corn during remission of the disease. During unstable remission, this vegetable is better to cook. For example, you can make a delicious cream soup from sweet corn. Such a dish is not only nutritious, but also very useful. Corn porridge can also be included in the diet of a person who suffers from gastritis. When consuming corn, a person suffering from gastritis should carefully monitor their well-being. If after eating a vegetable in a person suffering from this pathology, there is pain in the stomach and other unpleasant symptoms, then it should not be eaten. In this case, be sure to consult a doctor.
During acute gastritis, fresh corn should not be consumed. Vegetable fibers present in the grains may contribute to the appearance of pain in the abdomen, as well as aggravate the course of the disease. Entering the vegetable in the menu for acute gastritis is possible only after the final recovery.
People suffering from inflammatory diseases of the stomach, during remission should use only fresh ears. It is better not to use canned corn, as this product contains quite a lot of additives that can provoke a deterioration of health. Also, when gastritis should not eat popcorn. Corn fried in butter with this pathology is also better not to use.
For weight loss and diet
Corn cobs can also be used to normalize weight. In order to make the process of losing weight more efficiently, you should choose young fresh vegetables. At the same time for the diet is better to choose vegetables less sweet varieties, as they contain less natural sugar.
In order to lose weight, in addition to the usual yellow corn, you can use black cobs. They contain less sugar, and also caloric content of a vegetable is slightly lower. Black corn also contains a complex of vitamins and minerals that improve the functioning of the body.
Corn diet is best done during the season of ripening vegetables. The cobs of a sun-ripened culture contain a whole range of active ingredients that improve the functioning of the internal organs. Eating fresh vegetables helps to improve bowel function, which also contributes to weight loss.
Corn can also be used for carrying monodiets. In order to lose weight, this vegetable should be consumed within three days. After such monodiets, you can get rid of a couple of extra pounds. Use this method of weight loss can only be people who do not have contraindications to the use of this vegetable.
People who want to lose weight, it is better to use fresh vegetables. At the same time they can be eaten raw or boiled. Also, corn can be steamed. It is not necessary to add salt to vegetables. This can lead to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which will help slow down the process of losing weight.
Canned sweet corn contains quite a lot of sugar. Its manufacturers additionally add in order to make the product more sweet. Canned corn for weight loss is not worth it.
In order to quickly get rid of extra pounds, it is better to use corn in the morning, as this vegetable contains quite a lot of carbohydrates. Eat dishes made from this vegetable, at night is not worth it, because it can slow down the process of losing weight.
On the beneficial properties of corn, see the following video.