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Health Benefits of Corn And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Aug 10, 2020

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Corn offers a wide range of health benefits as it has so many minerals and other nutrients in it. It can be used to prevent hemorrhoids as the fiber content in corn bulks up the stool and makes it move out of the body regularly.

Corn is used to promoting growth and can even help you gain weight. It is rich in all the minerals your body needs, including selenium which is often hard to find in other food sources. Corn is known for its ability to help prevent cancer as it is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and phytochemicals. Corn can protect your heart because it lowers the amount of bad cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Corn is also good for patients of diabetes as it can help regulate the amount of insulin that is produced in the body. Furthermore, corn is a rich source of beta-carotene which generates healthy amounts of vitamin A in your body. As a result, this Corn grain is very good for your eyesight and your skin. Corn also has a few cosmetic applications and can be used to soothe the skin from irritants and make it smoother and glowing again.

What is Corn?

Corn is also known as maize and is a widely used grain plant. Most of the nutrients of corn come from the seeds or the kernels. These kernels range in color from white to bright yellow and orange, depending on which part of the world they are grown in. One of the most used variants of corn is sweet corn. This corn grain is used in multiple cuisines and can be cooked in many different ways. They are packed with nutrients that benefit your body.

Nutritional Value of Corn per 100gm

Corn is filled with many nutrients that are good for you, and therefore should be added to your diet. Let check out corn nutrition value In 100 grams, you will find a total of 365 calories. It has 4.7 grams of fat in it, including 0.7 grams of saturated fat, 2.2 grams of polyunsaturated fat, and 1.3 grams of monounsaturated fat. It does not have any cholesterol content in it. It has 35 mg of sodium and 287 mg of potassium. The total carbohydrate content in a 100 grams of corn is 74 grams, along with 9 grams of protein. Corn also has a ton of minerals to offer. Of the daily recommended dosage, corn contains 15% of iron, 30% of vitamin B-6, and 31% of magnesium. However, it does not contain any vitamin A, D, B-12, or C.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams in Corn

365
Calories
100 grams
Total Fat
35 mg
Sodium
287 mg
Potassium
74 g
Total Carbohydrate
9 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals in Corn

15 %
Iron
30 %
Vitamin B-6
31 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Corn

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of eating Corn. Let check out how corn good for weight loss management, easy digestion, kidney problem and fatty liver and also included in pcos diet plan.

Corn prevents haemorrhoids

Corn has 18.4% of the daily recommended dosage of fiber, which means that it is good for your bowel movements. It can help you with various digestive problems like constipation and haemorrhoids, and can also protect you from getting colon cancer. Fiber present in corn is good for your bowel movements because it bulks up your stool and facilitates its movement down the digestive tract. As a result, it is also good for diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome.

Corn promotes growth

Corn has high amounts of vitamin B constituents, thiamine and niacin, which is good for facilitating growth. Thiamine helps your body improve nerve health and cognitive functions while niacin can prevent a series of problems like dementia and dermatitis. Corn is also known for having high amounts of folic acid and is therefore good for pregnant women. Since corn is rich in Vitamin E, which is a natural source of antioxidants, it protects the body from various illnesses, helping you grow without the hindrance of disease.

Corn for weight gain

Corn contains a high amount of calories. As a result, it is used to gain weight quickly. This corn grain can be used in agricultural nations as it can grow in almost any type of conditions.

Corn provides minerals

Corn is loaded with all the essential minerals that your body needs. It has high amounts of copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, and even selenium, which is not very easy to find in other foods. Phosphorus present in corn helps with a number of body functions and can be used to regulate kidney function, induce normal bone growth, and maintain bone health. Magnesium can help you maintain a healthy heart rate and also boosts bone density.

Corn prevents cancer

Corn is also known for preventing cancer. It is a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are extremely important as they get rid of the free radicals in your system. The buildup of free radicals is what often leads to cancer. Furthermore, corn is also known for the ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, and leaving the health cells unaffected. Corn also contains phytochemicals, which are also a good source of antioxidants.

Corn protects your heart

Corn grain has an optimal combination of fatty acids in it, which is why it lets the Omega 3 fatty acids get rid of bad cholesterol and replace them at the binding sites. As a result, you end up reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by a huge margin. Corn prevents your arteries from getting clogged and even controls your blood pressure as a result. Corn lowers your chances of getting heart attacks and strokes. You can cook your food in corn oil to gain these benefits of corn.

Corn prevents anemia

Corn is extremely rich in Iron. Iron helps your body form new blood cells, which is important when it comes to preventing anemia. Corn can also help you avoid the symptoms of anemia such as exhaustion, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Corn good for the eyes and skincare

Eating yellow corn can provide your body with a ton of beta-carotene, which is what produces vitamin A in your body. Corn is extremely good for your eyesight and your skin in general. Beta-carotene also has high amounts of antioxidants that can prevent cancers and heart disease. Since vitamin A can be toxic if ingested in high amounts, its best to get your vitamin A through the beta-carotenes in your body.

Corn for diabetes patients

Diabetes is a deadly disease that cannot be cured, only controlled. This is why keeping an eye on your diet can be extremely important if you have diabetes. Corn contains a healthy amount of phytochemicals. Due to this, you can regulate the insulin present in your blood. This can help you control the rise and drop of sugar in your body, and therefore control your diabetes as well.

Corn for cosmetic uses

Apart from medicinal benefits, corn also provides a whole range of cosmetic benefits. It can be applied topically to soothe skin irritations, rashes, and skin diseases. It is better to use corn as opposed to products from the market as they normally contain petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly can block your pores and prevent your skin from breathing. This can make your skin look dull and clogged.

Uses of Corn

Corn is mainly used in the culinary industry in a variety of ways. It can be steamed, grilled, boiled, baked, braised, or even cooked in a stew or soup to eat it. Certain herbal cosmetics contain corn as it is good for your skin. Homemade face masks and packs that used boiled corn that’s ground into a paste can also be used to improve the way your skin looks. Corn is a staple part of the diet in many countries. Corn is also used to make corn syrup, which is a popular form of sweetener used in many western countries.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Corn

Corn has extremely high amounts of fatty acids and therefore should be consumed with caution. People who are generally at risk of heart diseases should not eat food that is cooked in corn oil as it can accelerate the problems in them. Corn syrup is considered worse than sugar and is identified as a leading cause of obesity in many nations. It can also negatively impact the levels of sugar in your blood and put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. Corn syrup should ideally be avoided at any cost. If you have sensitive skin, or are prone to allergies, consult with a doctor before adding corn to your meals. On a general note, it is always better to speak to a physician before adding anything new to your diet or lifestyle.

Cultivation of Corn

Corn was first cultivated 10,000 years ago in Mexico and is native to this country. However, since this grain does not have any specific special requirements for growing in terms of weather or soil, it is now cultivated almost all over the world. Corn is used in many world cuisines and is grown most popularly in countries that have an agrarian economy as it is a rich source of nutrients and can even help you put on weight.

References

  • Wuana RA, Okieimen FE. Phytoremediation potential of maize (Zea mays L.). A review. African Journal of General Agriculture. 2010;6(4):275-87. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
  • Kumar D, Jhariya AN. Nutritional, medicinal and economical importance of corn: A mini review. Res J Pharm Sci. 2013;2319:555X. [Cited 26 June 2019].
  • Hooda S, Kawatra A. Nutritional evaluation of baby corn (zea mays). Nutrition & Food Science. 2013 Feb 1;43(1):68-73. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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