The benefits and harms of popcorn for the human body

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

Nutrition Facts of Popcorn

1. Popcorn is known to be made from corn. It includes many nutrients, including starchy compounds. At the same time, calorie content increases in proportion to how the corn is dried, then turned into popcorn. During the heat treatment, water evaporates, the grains become almost weightless.
2. However, after drying, the corn does not lose its beneficial qualities. Popcorn centers around 80 gr. carbohydrates based on 100 gr. product. At the same time, the calorie content of the snack is 400 Kcal. Due to the fact that popcorn is light, you need to try very hard to consume so many calories.
3. In the process of preparing popcorn, vegetable oil is used, which increases the calorie by an order of magnitude. Sugar and other sweeteners, salt are also added. The calorie content of caramelized popcorn is 460-470 Kcal.

Popcorn action

• a product with salt increases blood pressure, which is important for hypotensive patients;
• caramel popcorn cheers up;
• removes harmful cholesterol, therefore it is used to prevent atherosclerosis;
• prevents the development of osteoporosis;
• enhances intestinal motility;
• promotes fast digestibility of food;
• prevents oncological diseases;
• keeps in tone cognitive functions;
• participates in weight loss, despite the high calorie content;
• retains youthful tissue throughout the body.

The benefits of popcorn

1. Corn grains include germ, bran, endosperm. All these elements are concentrated in barley, wheat, rice and other cereals. Valuable substances are necessary for the human body to fully function.
2. The product is rich in B-group vitamins, fiber, and mineral compounds. Dietary fibers improve intestinal motility, kill harmful microflora, and fight constipation. With a systematic intake of popcorn, you will improve the absorption of food and prevent its fermentation in the cavity of the internal organs.
3. Vitamins of group B, namely riboflavin and pantothenic acid, do not positively affect the psycho-emotional environment of a person. Popcorn helps to cope with anxiety, insomnia, lethargy and bad mood.
4. Tocopherol in combination with retinol forms a powerful duo of antioxidants. These vitamins prevent premature aging of tissues, improve the condition of the skin and hair.
5. The composition of popcorn contains special compounds that have the ability 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 harmoniously and in full force.
7. Experienced cardiologists unanimously argue that corn in any form must be eaten by people who have a tendency to cardiovascular pathologies. Popcorn prevents coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction.
8. A lot of fiber and polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidant substances, accumulate in the shell of corn kernels.Popcorn promotes the outflow of bile, normalizes the liver and cleanses its cavity from toxic compounds.
9. Numerous studies by scientists have shown that in one portion of popcorn concentrated more antioxidants than 100 grams. fruits or vegetables. This allows you to remove free radicals that damage the cells of the body.
10. It is useful to eat popcorn for the elderly to prevent the formation of senile dementia. Also, this type of corn is used to prevent Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, night blindness, osteoporosis.
11. Despite the calorie content, popcorn refers to products with a low glycemic index. For this reason, one or two servings will not harm the health of people with diabetes. In addition, patients with celiac disease will not have health problems due to the content of gluten 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 fruits or unsalted nuts.
2. If there is a sharp desire to enjoy popcorn, buy grains from a trusted seller, which subsequently form a treat. You can purchase goods in bulk.
3. When choosing ready-made popcorn, you run the risk of gaining excess weight or “enjoying” preservatives and palm oil. And corn grains do not contain these substances, you will make popcorn at home using a microwave or stove.
4. Microwaves have a negative effect on corn kernels. Better pour the contents into a deep pot and cook on the stove. Lubricate the bottom of the container with corn or olive oil if desired.
5. Fans of sweet popcorn in the process of cooking pour grains with sugar syrup. Those who like salty foods sprinkle corn with salt. Follow your personal preferences.

Maternity Popcorn

1. Girls should bear popcorn with caution while bearing the fetus. The benefits and harms of such a product are highly doubtful. Therefore, the fairer sex is interested in the urgent issue.
2. It should be borne in mind that popcorn, which is not prepared at home, alone cannot be useful. When preparing the product, harmful food additives are used, oil is not the first freshness and dyes. Therefore, eating popcorn during pregnancy is not recommended.
3. You can look from the other side. If you choose high-quality fresh corn, you diversify the usual diet. At home, it is recommended to cook popcorn in a pan. In the microwave, raw materials often burn out. In small portions, homemade popcorn will be helpful.

Popcorn for children

1. All children love a rather popular treat and can eat an almost unlimited amount. Parents should know that popcorn, which is sold in entertainment centers, has many synthetic additives, dyes, and flavor enhancers.
2. A similar 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 such sweets, for example, natural marmalade, fruits, nuts.
3. Use a little trick and feed your child with regular food before going to the cinema. Get more healthy snacks in advance that your child also loves. If possible, make popcorn at home.
4. Thus, you yourself can control the amount of added sugar or salt when preparing raw materials. Natural popcorn in this case will bring the child undoubted benefit. It is important not to give your child the opportunity to overeat. Otherwise, you will encounter a number of problems.

Harm popcorn

1. It is proved that popcorn is addictive, do not neglect the reliable fact.Nutritionists and adherents of a healthy lifestyle do not recommend eating popcorn more than 1 time per month.
2. Please note that diacetyl should not be included in the semi-finished product or finished raw materials. The substance is harmful to the human body. Most often, diacetyl is found in ready-made popcorn, which is sold in entertainment centers.
3. Diacetyl is a flavoring agent. The substance is extremely harmful to the respiratory system. Often the abuse of such popcorn leads to the formation of fibrosis in the lungs.
4. Unnatural popcorn has been proven to contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Flavoring additives in the finished product negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract. Often, gastritis develops, then an ulcer, flatulence of the stomach and colitis.
5. Often on an industrial scale, popcorn is cooked in palm oil. The product is famous for its negative effects on the body. When heated, the plant composition releases dangerous carcinogens to humans. Substances contribute to 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 calorie content. Dried grains have about 400 Kcal per 100 grams. After making popcorn, the indicator rises to the level of 1200 Kcal. Consider obesity if you abuse a product.
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 disturbances, in particular, the water-alkaline balance. Sugar leads to rapid weight gain and diabetes. Pancreas function worsens.

Undoubtedly, popcorn is good for the human body if you consume it in moderation. Children with pleasure click popcorn for watching cartoons, and adults use it when going to the cinema. Due to the high calorie content, you should not abuse the product. Then you will benefit only for yourself.

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