The longer you boil corn, the better its anti-aging effect
Introduction: Corn is neutral in nature and sweet in flavor, with effects such as stimulating appetite, strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, and promoting urination. It is primarily used to treat diarrhea, indigestion, edema, and more. Modern nutritional analysis has also revealed that the high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in corn can combat eye aging. Furthermore, research indicates that the longer corn is boiled, the better its anti-aging effect.
Corn is an excellent supplementary food for combating eye aging
A higher intake of lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by 43%. Corn contains these two carotenoids, with zeaxanthin being particularly abundant. Therefore, American medical experts also consider corn to be an excellent supplementary food for combating eye aging. Since the carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin in corn are fat-soluble vitamins, cooking with oil aids in their absorption, enhancing their nutritional effects. Therefore, the elderly can occasionally stir-fry corn, for example, by making a pine nut and corn dish.
The longer you boil corn, the better its anti-aging effect
From the perspective of combating free radicals, a study by Cornell University published in the *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry* showed that when sweet corn was heated at 115°C for 10, 25, and 50 minutes respectively, its free radical-scavenging activity increased by 22%, 44%, and 53% in sequence. This means that the longer corn is heated, the better its anti-aging effect. Therefore, when the elderly boil corn at home, it is best to cook it for a longer period.
The many benefits of corn
From a dietary therapy perspective, corn has various functions, such as: stimulating appetite, promoting bile flow, relieving constipation, promoting urination, softening blood vessels, delaying cellular aging, preventing cancer, and more. It is suitable for the dietary therapy and health care of conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, habitual constipation in the elderly, chronic cholecystitis, and difficulty urinating.
1. Strengthens the spleen and benefits the stomach. In the north, corn is a coarse grain, while in the south, it is animal feed. However, from the perspective of "medicine and food sharing the same origin," corn is sweet and neutral in nature, affecting the stomach and bladder meridians, and has the effect of strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, promoting urination, and draining dampness.
2. Anti-aging. Corn is known for its diverse components. For example, it contains vitamins A and E, as well as glutamic acid, which animal experiments have proven to have anti-aging effects.
3. Prevents constipation and arteriosclerosis. Corn is rich in fiber, which not only stimulates gastrointestinal motility to prevent constipation but also promotes cholesterol metabolism and accelerates the excretion of toxins from the intestines. Corn oil, pressed from the germ, contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, of which 60% is linoleic acid, which can eliminate harmful cholesterol in the blood and prevent arteriosclerosis.
4. Cancer prevention. Corn is not only rich in vitamins, but its carotene content is more than five times that of soybeans, which is also beneficial for inhibiting carcinogens.
5. Beautifies and protects the skin. Corn also contains lysine and the trace element selenium, whose antioxidant effects are beneficial for preventing tumors. At the same time, corn is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, etc., which are effective in protecting nerve conduction and gastrointestinal function, preventing beriberi and myocarditis, and maintaining skin health.
6. Lowers blood sugar. Corn silk has certain effects of promoting bile flow, promoting urination, and lowering blood sugar. It is commonly used in folk medicine for its diuretic and heat-clearing properties. For patients with chronic nephritis or nephrotic syndrome, 50-60 grams of dried corn silk can be used with 10 times the amount of water, simmered over low heat, and taken orally in three doses daily. This is very beneficial for diabetic patients to lower blood sugar, although the effect is slow, so it is advisable to consume it regularly.
7. Relieves constipation. Corn grits and corn cores have a good laxative effect. Take 100 grams of corn grits, soak them in cold water for half a day, then simmer over low heat until soft. Add sweet potato chunks and cook them together. Drinking the congee and eating the sweet potatoes can relieve habitual constipation in the elderly.
Although corn has many benefits and is an excellent food for combating eye aging, experts remind that corn should be chewed thoroughly to aid digestion. Additionally, those with diarrhea, a cold and bloated stomach, or poor gastrointestinal function should not eat too much at once and should try to eat fresh corn.