Yes, your movie buddy has great health benefits that you did not even know about! Popcorn is eaten and enjoyed by everyone. Some eat popcorn only at the movies while others may even include it in their diet as a healthy snack option. We are talking about regular popcorn here and not the microwavable variety we often eat at home or the ones that come with truckloads of butter and salt. Popcorn not just elevates a movie-time experience, it also beats a whole range of unhealthy snacking options hollow when it comes to health benefits. From fibre to anti-oxidants, popcorn is rich in a variety of nutrients that we should take note of. Read on to learn more about this all-season friend we all love to munch on.
1. The Whole Grain Advantage
Popcorn is made of 100% natural whole grain. Being whole grain, it contains fiber which helps in improving digestion. The high fiber content keeps our body’s bowel movements regular and keeps problems like constipation away. A diet rich in Fiber is also known to take off excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels in your body. This can reduce your overall cholesterol level which protects us from having heart attacks or other dangerous diseases. Nutritionist Shilpa Arora says, “fibre in popcorn slows carbohydrate metabolism into sugar. Thus lowering insulin response. Popcorn are great healthy snack for diabetics, one should be careful not to choose the butter laden and transat flavours available in the markets. This could be misleading and lead to serious health issues. Make sure good quality corns are selected. You could steam or pop them in a cast iron pan. this is great for health and diabetics.”
It contains fiber which helps in improving digestion.
2. Good Amount of Antioxidants
Popcorn has a large amount of antioxidants present in them. One such antioxidant is polyphenols. Antioxidants kill the free radicals in our body which can lead to severe diseases including cancer. So the polyphenolic compound present in the popcorn will help you to fight against the same. Popcorn consumption, together with a balanced diet, can boost your intake of antioxidants to keep you healthy. Free radical presence in the body is attributed to several other issue also like ageing and formation of wrinkles, Alzheimer’s, hair loss and other problems.
One antioxidant present in popcorn is polyphenols.
3. To Reach Those Weight Loss Goals
Popcorn can help you lose weight as it is low in calorie and definitely a better option than potato chips. It is naturally fat free and sugar free so you won’t feel guilty after having it. Moreover, popcorn can really fill you up so you don’t even need much and over eating can be avoided. But make sure you don’t rely on those butter or chocolateflavoured popcorn varieties – those will definitely have the opposite effect!
Popcorn can help you lose weight as it is low in calorie.
4. Popcorn is Gluten Free
Popcorn is gluten free and you can even use it instead of bread crumbs in any recipe to make it healthier. It healthy even when enjoyed as a snack by itself. Make it healthier by staying away from unwanted toppings and additives.
Popcorn is gluten free and you can even use it instead of bread crumbs.
Keep these benefits of popcorn in mind next time you munch on these little white kernels. But please remember that these do not apply to microwaveable popcorn or the popcorn that is filled excessively with salt and butter. Stick to plain popcorn which is healthy for you, you can add some herbs and spices for enhanced flavours.
[“source=food.ndtv”]
