Table of contents:
- Popcorn can be a healthy snack
- Eating popcorn can aid in weight loss and provide health benefits
- However, popcorn can also be bad for health
- To get the benefits of popcorn, eat healthy popcorn
Popcorn is a snack that is liked by many people. Usually these snacks accompany you while watching the cinema. However, this snack is often labeled bad by many people. In fact, popcorn also has benefits for you. Is it true that often eating popcorn is good for health?
Popcorn can be a healthy snack
Popcorn is a snack made from corn. Special corn will expand when exposed to heat. So, actually popcorn has beneficial nutritional content. In 100 grams of plain popcorn contains vitamins B1, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and manganese. Plain popcorn actually only contains 1 gram of fat and 3 grams of protein per serving. However, it would certainly be different if the popcorn was made with oil or butter. In addition, popcorn also contains high enough fiber.
Eating popcorn can aid in weight loss and provide health benefits
The high fiber content contained in popcorn makes popcorn can help you lose weight. In one serving of popcorn (or about three glasses), contains as much as 3.6 grams of fiber.
Not only that, snacking on popcorn also only contributes relatively small calories to the body. One serving of plain popcorn contains only 93 calories. So, you can make popcorn as a healthy snack alternative while on a diet.
Apart from being beneficial in losing weight, popcorn also has other health benefits. The polyphenol content in popcorn can help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer (such as breast cancer and prostate cancer).
Polyphenols are antioxidants that can help protect cells from free radical damage. In several studies, polyphenols have been shown to help improve gastrointestinal health, help blood circulation to work better, and help reduce the risk of many diseases.
However, popcorn can also be bad for health
Yes, popcorn can be harmful to health, especially popcorn that is made by heating packaged popcorn microwave. Most of the popcorn packaging is coated with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). In several studies, PFOA has been linked to the risk of ADHD, low birth weight, and thyroid problems.
This packaged popcorn also contains diacetyl which is found in artificial butter flavoring. Although studies have not shown the negative impact of diacetyl on human health, several animal studies have shown that diacetyl can damage the respiratory tract and cause lung disease.
Not only that, nowadays popcorn is sold in various flavors, such as caramel. This certainly makes popcorn a snack that is no longer low in calories. A lot of packaged popcorn has to be heated inside microwave also contains trans oil. Trans oil is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other serious illnesses.
To get the benefits of popcorn, eat healthy popcorn
Some types of popcorn may be harmful to your health. But, you might be able to prevent this danger if you eat healthier popcorn. You can buy popcorn that is made by baking it on the stove, so you can avoid the dangers of packaged popcorn (popcorn microwave).
You also choose unsweetened popcorn that doesn't contain sugar and salt, so the calories in it are only a few. Eating this popcorn can prevent you from gaining excess weight.
x