The benefits and harms of corn for human health

Among grain products in terms of value, corn is in third place after rice and wheat. The benefits and harms of corn have been known since ancient times, and maize was considered a sacred plant by the ancient Incas. Scientists believe that it was corn that was the first food that people began to cultivate.

The chemical composition of corn

Corn is a valuable food product. It is nutritious, unpretentious in cultivation, but most importantly, it contains many useful substances both in seeds and in stigmas, inflorescences and leaves. It contains a lot of calcium, B vitamins, and in terms of fiber content, it overtakes all other cereals. The composition of raw grains contains the following beneficial substances:

• amino acids;
• Sahara;
• flavonoids;
• alkaloids;
• vitamins (A, C, K, B1, B6, B2, B3, B4, B9, E, PP, H);
• minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, sodium, selenium, fluorine, phosphorus, boron, zinc and others).

Due to the content of nickel and copper salts in corn, it is considered a hypoallergenic product.

Nutritional value and calorie content of corn

The calorie content of boiled and raw corn depends on the variety. The average number of calories per 100 g of raw grains is 330 kcal. Of these, 67% carbohydrates, 5% fats, and 10% proteins. The rest is water. Most of all starch is in flint corn, and fat, protein and minerals - in sugar. Boiled ears have 122 kcal per 100 g.

Useful properties of corn

The rich composition of corn seeds makes it a popular food product. It is one of the few plant-based foods that is both good for weight loss and muscle building.

High content of calcium, dietary fiber, minerals determine the following beneficial properties of corn:

• regulates the work of the nervous system;
• has an antioxidant effect on cells;
• lowers cholesterol;
• prevents fermentation in the intestines;
• cleans the blood;
• fights depression, stress, overwork.

The use of raw corn is in the prevention of cancer, anemia, it is shown to fight obesity and obesity.

The benefits of corn for women

The minerals and vitamins included in the composition have a positive effect on the reproductive system of women. It is useful for severe PMS, as it relieves tension in smooth muscles, calms nerves, and relieves pain.

Corn grain is a concentrate of youth and beauty of the skin. If you regularly eat raw or boiled ears, the aging process of cells slows down.

Corn oil is very good for the skin, it is used to lubricate rough areas on the legs and arms, calluses and corns.

Why is corn good for men

The amino acids and minerals in corn improve spermatogenesis and reduce the risk of infertility in men. In addition, the regular use of a useful product in any form increases endurance and resistance to stress, both physical and mental. The antioxidant property protects the male body from prostate cancer.

Corn during pregnancy

For women in the position, corn is also useful. Its use helps to cope with increased stress while carrying a child, gives strength. If a woman suffers from edema, then a decoction of grains is suitable for decongestant compresses, which are done 2-3 times a day.

Corn kernels are also useful for frequent leg cramps. It has a record calcium content, from the lack of which changes in well-being occur. It is especially useful to eat cobs in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, when the baby's skeleton is growing rapidly.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to corn

In the first weeks of a child's life, any heavy foods are removed from the mother's diet. Corn with breastfeeding is shown only from the second month of a baby's life. A woman can eat no more than one boiled cob without salt in the morning. If during the day the child still feels normal, there are no problems with the tummy and there are no rashes on the skin, the cereal can be consumed regularly. It will become a source of useful vitamins and minerals necessary for both mother and child.

Is corn good for children

This is one of the most valuable cereals in baby food. It's not for nothing that corn porridge is given to children of the first year of life. It is tasty, digestible and nutritious. It contains a lot of calcium, which strengthens the skeleton and immunity. For a hyperactive baby, it is also a way to balance emotions due to a complex of B vitamins. Since the product is hypoallergenic, it is offered to allergy sufferers and atopics.

Corn for weight loss

Boiled ears of cereal are included in the menu of a losing weight person. There is even a short corn diet that allows you to lose 3 kg in 4 days. Grilled young cobs are best for weight loss. They have the lowest calorie content, and the special substances included in the composition help to cope with high cholesterol and normalize sugar levels. These indicators are very important for a losing weight person. Include cereal on the menu 3 times a week. How does he work:

1. Dietary fiber keeps you feeling full for a long time.
2. The intestines are cleared of toxins, the symptoms of bloating go away.
3. Excess fluid is partially removed, edema goes away.
4. The deficiency of minerals and vitamins is replenished.

The benefits and harms of boiled corn

The value of boiled cereal is in its ability to improve red blood cell production and stabilize hemoglobin levels. B vitamins are partially lost during heat treatment, so corn is eaten in order to improve the functioning of the nervous system and eliminate increased excitability and emotionality.

Boiled cereal is good for digestion, in particular, it improves intestinal motility and relieves constipation. In this case, the grains are consumed with oil. Boiled ears can quickly satisfy hunger, and for a long time.

The product can cause harm in the case of increased blood clotting. In this case, it is used rarely and in small quantities.

Features of the use of corn for some diseases

Despite the beneficial composition of the cereal, its use is limited or unacceptable for some diseases. Therefore, in the presence of acute or chronic diseases, a doctor's consultation is needed.

With diabetes mellitus

In type 2 diabetes, the consumption of corn is limited. Its benefits will be justified only with the correct selection of products. Grain is combined with protein. In this case, the effect of lowering the blood glucose level is achieved. The value of the cereal for diabetics is also in the high content of B vitamins.It is a natural substitute for neuroprotective drugs prescribed by doctors.

Diabetics can eat healthy cornmeal porridge and canned grains. The glycemic index of these foods is average.

With pancreatitis

The pancreas does not respond well to heavy foods, including corn in any form. The product is dangerous in acute and chronic pancreatitis, therefore it is excluded from the diet. Occasionally, hominy can be added to the menu, but it does not differ in particular health benefits. Raw and boiled corn, cereals, popcorn are strictly prohibited.

With gastritis

In the acute and subacute stages of the disease, cereals are prohibited. At the stage of remission, it is permissible to use baked ears and boiled grain soup. Such a dish does not irritate the walls of the stomach, envelops and is a source of easily digestible protein. Corn can cut back on meat that takes longer and harder to digest.

With gout

Grain is not on the list of prohibited foods for gout, but its use is limited due to its glutamic acid content. Boiled grains are used as a side dish for meat, added to salads. Do not eat raw cobs, canned grains and popcorn.

How to cook corn properly

Young ears with pale yellow grains and white milky liquid inside are suitable for cooking. The ears are peeled of leaves and immersed in boiling water for 20 minutes. Salt water at the very end of cooking, you can add a little sugar. Corn is more likely to be tormented than boiled, which means that the cobs should be in slowly boiling water under a lid. After boiling, they are left in water for another 5-10 minutes so that the grains reach.

Heat treatment of food kills some vitamins and other nutrients. This also applies to corn. In order to preserve all the valuable components in it as much as possible, it is better to cook the cobs or grain in a double boiler or multicooker. This will take 25-30 minutes. The product can be cooked with or without salt.

Mini corn is cooked much faster - 5-7 minutes. She has small ears and tiny grains. Whole ears can even be added raw to salads and stewed with vegetables.

Healing properties of corn on the cob broth

For medicinal purposes, cobs of milk ripeness are used. They are boiled together with stigmas and peels until tender and take 1-2 glasses, spreading 3 times. The broth has the following benefits:

• treats diseases of the pancreas;
• improves metabolism;
• calms the nerves;
• strengthens the heart and blood vessels, lowers blood pressure;
• fights aging.

After boiling, young cobs can be salted and eaten, and the broth can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

How to choose and store corn

Cobs harvested in the second half of August are considered optimal in terms of maturity and harmony of taste. They are chosen for the appearance of the leaves and the density of the grains. The leaves should be green, not dry. When pressed, the grains should burst and a milky-white liquid appears from them. The yellower and harder the grain, the older the corn. When boiled, it will retain its rigidity, and the taste will be too starchy.

Store unpeeled ears in a cool place without access to light. The peeled ears are frozen. In this case, their useful composition remains unchanged.

Harm of corn and contraindications

Moderation is the main rule of a balanced diet. Corn is nutritious and healthy, but it should be consumed in moderation: 1-2 ears of corn a day is enough for an adult. So you can benefit health and not harm the internal organs and systems.

Contraindications:

• stomach ulcer;
• thrombophlebitis;
• low body weight (anorexia);
• chronic diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys, liver.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of corn, like any plant product, depends on the quality and method of growing.The non-GMO organic ear is a source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber to help maintain overall health.