12 Valuable Benefits of Corn for Health

The Benefits and properties of corn are broad: Can prevent colon cancer, heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer's and even combat daily stress.

Most of us know the corn because of its yellow color, but it can also be pink, red, blue and black. 9,000 years ago the Maya and the Aztecs began to cultivate it in Mesoamerica. This cereal would gain popularity in the world of gastronomy over the centuries.

That is why it is today one of the three most produced cereals in the world next to rice and wheat. Corn is an important food for your diet since it is rich in vitamin B and C. It has folic acid , Pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium and fiber. Its high level of carbohydrates and proteins makes it an indispensable element to bring us energy and benefits to our health.

Here are twelve benefits that corn reports to your health:

1. Can Prevent colon cancer Thanks to it contains a lot of folic acid.

2. It is healthy for pregnancy . Maize harbors high levels of vitamin B, which reduces the risk of babies being born with defects in the brain and spinal cord . For this reason it is ideal for pregnant women. In fact, since 1996 the US Food and Drug Administration has called for some cereals, such as corn, to be fortified with folic acid-which is within the 'family' of vitamin B-.

3. Decreases the risk of heart attack . As we have said, vitamin B1 that contains corn decreases homocysteine ​​and, therefore, also reduces the risk of suffering a cardiovascular attack. But it is important to note that the antioxidants, very remarkable in corn, prevent the fats from oxidizing. Precisely, this oxidation is harmful to the blood vessels and the antioxidants avoid it.
4. Lowers the risk of having a stroke . For the same reason we explained in point 3: vitamin B1 reduces the level of homocysteine.

5. You can defend yourself from Alzhéimer Since corn has more antioxidants than any other cereal. Antioxidants protect our body from free radicals and for this reason could help prevent this degenerative disease. This cereal is also high in vitamin B.
6. It is healthy for Keep your cognitive skills For how rich it is in antioxidants.
7. Fight stress Because pantothenic acid favors the function of the adrenal glands.
8. Low Calorie . A half cup of corn (about 60 grams) contains about 86 calories. It is best to eat this cereal without butter, ketchup or spices.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers that maize has these properties for health:

9. Can help stop bleeding . Traditional Chinese medicine has used it for this.
10. May increase urine secretion . Corn floss is used in China as a remedy to treat urinary problems. It is usually taken in tea or powder. Maize has diuretic properties.
11. Can detoxify the body . Through its diuretic properties, corn can help you fight urinary tract infections and detoxify your body.
12. It can help with some medical treatments, such as hepatitis . This is what traditional Chinese medicine considers it to be.

Several studies claim that corn has more antioxidants than any other cereal and vegetable. That is why it is essential in a healthy diet and as you have just read has much to offer your health. For this reason in developed countries the majority of the population consumes the corn to obtain the calories and proteins that needs. While in India it enjoys a privileged position in agriculture and cereal is an indispensable and valuable food for the most disadvantaged social classes.

On the other hand, everyone can enjoy the corn in different ways by adding it in different dishes. Remember that you can store it in the refrigerator with or without shell for five or seven days. You can cook a cornmeal polenta-gruel - which is a very creative and healthy way of incorporating this food into your diet.

In addition, you can add this cereal to your salads and pastas to give them a more appetizing touch. To the fresh corn you can remove the shell and to cook it in a pot to boil, in the oven or even in the grill. The corn kernels can be eaten in a bowl of guacamole, a tomato salad with onion or any other similar tasting. It allows you to enjoy it in the way that is most comfortable and rich so you do not exclude it from your diet.

What about popcorn?

As for the popcorn, they leave a plant that has features that slightly differ from that of normal corn: it is lanky and its branches are fallen.

Popcorn is an ideal food because they have plenty of carbohydrates and plenty of fiber. In this sense, there are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The former regulates hunger, cholesterol, and blood sugar. The second is very important for gastrointestinal function.

Do not forget that popcorn without sweeteners or condiments is low in calories. One cup of this type of cereal (about 120 grams) provides about 30 calories. On the other hand, if we add some seasoning to this amount, like butter or margarine, the calories would amount to about 130.

The 'baby corn' and corn in Mexican cuisine

Another way to enjoy this cereal is to try the so-called 'baby corn'. This is the corn that comes out of the first crop when it has not fully ripened and even fertilization of the cereal has not occurred. The advantage of this baby corn is that it is free from the effects of pesticides and its grains are very well protected by the shell because it is the first crop.

Baby corns can also be cut into 2-inch pieces, dried and then stored for up to three months. During that time all your vitamins and proteins will remain intact. You can also freeze them as long as you keep the cold chain.

However, when you freeze them you should not leave them too long since they will lose their ascorbic acid - with antioxidant properties. In the first 30 days of freezing loses about 7% of this acid, in 60 days, 9% and in 90 days, 11%.

Corn in the world of gastronomy

With respect to its reputation in the world of gastronomy, corn is the hallmark of Mexican food. In the lands of Mexico was first cultivated 9,000 years ago and since then it has been part of the Mexican diet.

In fact, in 2010, UNESCO recognized maize as one of the bases of traditional Mexican cuisine, which was registered that same year in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage:"The basic elements of the system are: corn, beans and The chile".

This international organization awarded this merit to Mexican gastronomy because it includes ritual practices and customs and"is possible thanks to the collective participation that goes from planting and harvesting to cooking and eating."

Following this path, UNESCO recognizes that Mexican gastronomy uses"culinary preparation procedures, such as nixtamalization (peeling corn with lime water to increase its nutritional value)".

In this way, it emphasizes more the role that maize plays in the diet of Mexico, where about 9,000 years ago the Maya and Aztec culture began to cultivate it. And precisely, this country continues to conserve maize as a sign of identity of its gastronomy and also of its cultural identity.

What's more, the famous Mexican tortilla is made from corn and is one of the most international dishes of this gastronomy. It is one of the offerings on the Day of the Dead.

Genetically Modified Maize

Despite all the benefits and successes of corn, it has not been free from controversy. The development of biotechnology has sowed controversy over genetically modified maize. It has been discussed whether it could increase the risk of suffering some type of cancer, toxicity or potential nutritional alterations.

According to scientific research, there is no evidence that can relate the intake of genetically modified maize to health problems, either with toxicity or cancer. Genetically modified foods would be as healthy as the natural ones.

Anyway, genetic modification of food is a relatively young science and that is why it is not known with certainty its possible benefits or damages in the long term.

José Antonio López Guerrero, professor of Microbiology at the Autonomous University of Madrid and director of the Department of Scientific Culture of the Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa, says that from the point of view of molecular biology"transgenic foods do not pose more danger to the Health than the same non-GM product".

He adds that"in the case of maize, there is no relationship - would be and / or scientific - that relates it to cancer - much less in humans." Referring to a study by French scientists in 2012 that indicated that tumors in rodents could be related to the consumption of genetically modified maize, Lopez Guerrero says that"it was withdrawn because of dubious methodology."

A study by Brookes and Barfoot, directors of PG Economics, shows that in the first 15 years in which the genetically modified cereal crop has been used the use of pesticides has fallen by almost 450 million kilos. In other words, 9% less pesticides than 15 years ago.

Biotechnology and the use of genetically modified cereals have increased productivity on farms. They have also reduced the emission of greenhouse gases, which are produced by over-plowing and plowing. They have reduced soil erosion and fuel consumption.

Following this path, maize not only produces benefits for our health, but also for the environment. Corn growers use the seeds of this cereal to produce ethanol, which is an alternative biofuel to oil. Hence comes the great value that maize has in international trade.

As you can see, it not only serves to feed millions of families, but also to generate an alternative energy source that reduces dependence on oil.

Ethanol, the substitute for petroleum, is not only extracted from the maize plant, but also from sugar cane. In Brazil this biofuel is extracted from sugar cane and has enabled more than half of the vehicles to use this energy source instead of oil.

It speaks of, on the other hand, the production of maize in the world. The largest producer in the world is the United States, which produced more than 360 million tons in 2014. In the same year Spain produced 4 million tonnes and Mexico, 23 million tonnes, according to the FAO.

According to this international organization, in 2014, more than 50% of world corn production was concentrated in the Americas, followed by Asia (29%) and Europe (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

In short, corn is a necessary cereal and rich in your diet for the many benefits it has for your health.

We have given you twelve reasons to eat this food. In addition, corn not only benefits our organism, but also the environment. From the maize plant ethanol is extracted, which is a biofuel that can reduce our dependence on oil. And of course, the corn can easily be incorporated into your dishes (salads, guacamole, tortilla) and is low in calories.

And what other benefits of corn do you know?

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