Autumn is the season of harvest. When we think of autumn, we are reminded of golden corn, its fragrant aroma, plump kernels, and sweet taste, which are definitely the reasons that attract people to eat it. Speaking of this, are your mouth watering? In fact, a healthy diet principle is to eat as much seasonal fruits, vegetables, and grains as possible. As the golden autumn has arrived, let's see what health benefits corn has!
Corn's Health Secrets
Corn, also known as "maize," "Indian corn," "cob," or "ear," is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It functions to regulate the middle energizer, stimulate the appetite, benefit the lungs and calm the mind, clear damp-heat, promote liver and gallbladder function, and delay aging.
1. Regulating Hormones
The vitamin E rich in corn can increase hormone secretion through the gonads, improve sexual function, and prevent miscarriage.
2. Beauty and Weight Loss Functions
Because the vitamin E in the corn germ can also promote the reproduction of human cells and prevent wrinkles; corn silk has a diuretic effect, which is beneficial for weight loss.
3. Preventing Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Corn is rich in nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids. The content of linoleic acid is as high as over 60%. It works in synergy with the vitamin E in the corn germ to lower blood cholesterol concentration and prevent it from depositing on the blood vessel walls. Therefore, corn has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
4. Cancer Prevention and Treatment
The selenium and magnesium in corn have anti-cancer and cancer-preventing effects. When selenium works together with vitamin E, it can prevent more than ten types of tumors, especially the most common breast cancer and colorectal cancer. In addition, selenium can also regulate the function of the thyroid gland and prevent cataracts; on the one hand, magnesium can inhibit the development of cancer cells, and on the other hand, it can strengthen intestinal wall peristalsis, promoting the excretion of waste from the body, which is also of great significance for cancer prevention.
Private Kitchen Treasures
There are various types of corn, such as yellow corn, white corn, waxy corn, and mixed corn. It is one of the staple foods for people in northern China, southwestern mountainous areas, and other dry grain regions. Corn can be used in dishes, boiled into soup or tea, or ground into cornmeal, corn cakes, and other pastries. Below are a few common family corn recipes for readers to choose from.
1. Three-Dice Corn
Three-Dice Corn
Ingredients: 1 bowl of corn kernels, 40g of green peas, 2 rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, 40g of diced carrots, salt, broth, sugar, starch water, sesame oil.
Method:
(1) Blanch the corn kernels, diced carrots, and green peas in boiling water.
(2) Heat 2 bowls of oil in a wok to medium temperature, deep-fry all the ingredients and remove them.
(3) Leave 1 tablespoon of oil in the wok, stir-fry the ingredients and seasonings, add starch water to thicken, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve on a plate.
Effect: This dish contains multiple nutrients in red, yellow, and green colors, making it a great addition to any meal.
2. Pine Nut Corn
Pine Nut Corn
Ingredients: Corn, pine nuts, red bell pepper, chopped green onions, sugar, salt.
Method:
(1) Remove seeds from the red bell pepper, wash it, and cut it into 1cm diamond-shaped pieces. Peel the corn cob and remove the kernels.
(2) Heat a flat-bottomed frying pan over high heat, add raw pine nuts, reduce the heat and toast them dry. Stir frequently with a spatula to roll the pine nuts evenly. When they are all golden, remove them and spread them on a large plate to cool.
(3) Bring water to a boil in a pot, add the corn kernels, reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, then drain.
(4) Heat a wok over high heat, add oil. When the oil is hot, first sauté the green onions until fragrant, then add the corn kernels and red bell pepper. Add a suitable amount of salt and sugar and stir-fry for a moment.
(5) Add about 1 tablespoon of water along the edge of the wok, cover and simmer for 3 minutes. Uncover, add the pine nuts, and stir-fry over high heat until well combined.
Effect: The vitamin E in corn can increase hormone secretion through the gonads, improving sexual function; pine nuts can enhance energy and vitality.
3. Colorful Corn Soup
Minced Pork and Corn Soup
Ingredients: 100g corn kernels, 30g ham, 3 shiitake mushrooms, 50g frozen peas, 1 egg, 1 carrot, 30ml starch water, salt, pepper, sesame oil to taste.
Method:
(1) Wash the mushrooms, remove stems, and cut into shreds along with the ham. Peel the carrot and dice it.
(2) Place peas in a bowl, add water to thaw. Crack the egg into a bowl and beat it.
(3) Pour hot water into a pot, bring to a boil, add corn kernels, ham shreds, mushroom shreds, carrot dice, and peas. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
(4) Add starch water, bring back to a boil, then drizzle in the beaten egg. Finally, season with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
Effect: A delicious soup with a refreshing aroma.
4. Corn and Pork Rib Stew
Corn and Pork Rib Soup
Ingredients: 1 corn, 500g pork ribs, 1 carrot, 1 celery stalk, 2 slices of ginger, 2 star anise, 1 section of green onion, 1 bay leaf, salt, pepper, goji berries.
Method:
(1) Peel the corn, wash it, and cut into 2cm wide sections. Wash the pork ribs and cut into 5cm long pieces. Peel the carrot and slice it. Wash the celery and cut into 5cm long sections.
(2) Bring water to a boil in a pot, add the pork ribs, blanch for 2 minutes to remove scum, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
(3) Place the pork ribs, green onion, ginger, star anise, bay leaf, and goji berries in a slow cooker. Add hot water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the corn sections, carrot slices, and celery sections, and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. Finally, season with salt and pepper.
Effect: After eating the pork ribs and corn, paired with vegetables, you have a delicious, nutritious broth. Serve with a staple for a complete meal.
Tips and Precautions
Corn is a great food, but improper consumption can be detrimental to your health. Therefore, pay attention to the following precautions when eating corn.
1. There are many varieties of corn, and some are not suitable for diabetics. For example, sweet corn has a soluble sugar content 2% to 15% higher than rice, most of which is sucrose, glucose, and fructose, which can easily raise blood sugar levels after consumption.
2. Waxy corn has a high content of amylopectin, which is easily digested and absorbed, causing blood sugar to rise faster than other grains. Therefore, it should not be eaten alone and can be paired with bean flour or foods rich in dietary fiber to slow the rise in blood sugar.
3. Black corn is mostly waxy as well. It is best to pair it with coarse grains like bean flour or oats when consumed.
4. It is generally believed that corn should be boiled until the kernels "bloom" to be healthy. This is actually incorrect. As long as it is cooked thoroughly, it is fine. This not only effectively retains the vitamins in the corn itself but also tastes good.
Health TIPS: Corn - A Good Medicine for Many Diseases
Corn contains a relatively high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. The fact that Native Central Americans are less prone to hypertension is related to their main diet of corn. Eating more corn can also treat many diseases.
Milky Corn Pancakes
1. Treating Diabetes
Take 500g of cornmeal, 1000g of pumpkin, 2g of fine salt, and 20g of chopped green onions. First, peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, wash it, and shred it finely. Place it in a basin, add cornmeal, green onions, fine salt, and an appropriate amount of water, and mix into a thin paste. Then, heat a small amount of peanut oil in a flat-bottomed pan, use a spoon to ladle the paste into the pan, spread it into a pancake shape, and pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. It is ready to eat.
2. Diuretic and Anti-diarrheal
Corn silk is often used to treat edema from nephritis. Use 80g daily, decocted in water. For ascites caused by schistosomiasis cirrhosis, corn silk can be used with watermelon seeds and red beans, decocted in water. For diarrhea caused by indigestion, especially watery diarrhea, corn silk or corn cob, decocted in water, has an anti-diarrheal effect.
3. Treating Edema
60g of cornmeal, 18g of winter melon seed kernels, 40g of red beans, and 1 live carp. Remove the internal organs, keep the scales, and wash the carp. Fill the carp's belly with the cornmeal, winter melon seed kernels, and red beans. Add an appropriate amount of water and simmer over low heat until cooked. When eating, you can add a little fine salt and yellow wine for seasoning. Eat the fish and drink the soup every other day. It strengthens the stomach, awakens the spleen, promotes urination, and reduces swelling.
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