In the US, sweet corn has become a staple food and sweet corn soup is also popular. Native American tribes cultivate sweet corn and it contains plenty of nutrition and healthy calories. This vegetable is rich in dietary fiber, folate, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and vitamin B1. In this article, we reveal the many benefits of sweet corn.
Cardiovascular Health
Sweet corn promotes heart health as it contains folate, which is also called vitamin B9. Consumption of folate reduces the risk of peripheral vascular disease, strokes and heart attacks.
Cancer Prevention
Another health benefit of sweet corn is that it prevents lung cancer. This is because sweet corn contains a chemical called beta cryptoxanthin, which reduces the risk of contracting lung cancer. Smokers can benefit by eating sweet corn regularly as it lowers the risk of lung cancer by 37%.
Memory Enhancement
Sweet corn also improves memory power as it contains plenty of thiamine or vitamin B1. This nutrient nurtures brain cells and improves cognitive function. Sweet corn also reduces the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease.
Vision Protection
Sweet corn is rich in beta carotene, folate and the antioxidant zeaxanthin. All these nutrients protect against eye ailments like macular degeneration.
Ferulic Acid in Sweet Corn
Sweet corn contains plenty of ferulic acid, which is a phenolic flavonoid antioxidant. Research reveals that ferulic acid prevents inflammation, aging and some types of cancer.
Sweet Corn Calories
Health experts debate whether the high sugar content in sweet corn is good or bad. Canned sweet corn is preserved in corn syrup which drastically increases calories. It also has negative effects on health. So, it is advisable to rinse and drain canned sweet corn kernels before consuming them. Another drawback is canned corn contains less nutrients than fresh ones.
Precautions
Research reveals that sweet corn is more nutritious than many fruits and vegetables. But, it is important to consume it in a healthy manner. Most people use additional salt and butter in sweet corn recipes. Instead of using fat while cooking it, you can try grilled corn. You can add boiled corn kernels to healthy salads and vegetables. Boiled corn can also add a creamy flavor to meat stew and soup.
Summary
As mentioned above, there are numerous health benefits of sweet corn. At the same time, this vegetable needs not to be consumed in a nutritious manner, without using unhealthy garnishes. With a little precaution, the tasty sweet corn can become a valuable addition to your regular diet.
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