The Benefits and Healthy Ways to Eat Corn

Introduction: We often buy corn from the market to eat, but do you know the benefits of eating corn? Do you know how to eat it for the best health?

Experts conducted a comparative analysis of various nutritional and health indicators for staple foods such as corn, rice, and wheat. The results revealed that the vitamin content in corn is exceptionally high, 5-10 times that of rice and wheat.

Additionally, the large amount of nutritional and health-promoting substances in corn surprised the experts. Besides containing carbohydrates, protein, fat, and carotene, corn also contains nutrients such as riboflavin and vitamins. These substances are highly beneficial for preventing diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Research also shows that the nutritional value of special corn is higher than that of regular corn. For example, sweet corn has 1-2 times more protein, vegetable oil, and vitamins than regular corn; its "life element" selenium content is 8-10 times higher; and 13 of its 17 amino acids are present in greater quantities than in regular corn. Furthermore, fresh corn has significantly higher levels of water, active compounds, vitamins, and other nutrients compared to mature corn, because the nutrient content of corn decreases rapidly during storage.

Honey-Glazed Roasted Corn

The benefits of eating corn are numerous:

1. Anti-aging

Every 100 grams of corn provides nearly 300 milligrams of calcium, almost equivalent to that in dairy products. Abundant calcium can help lower blood pressure. If 1 gram of calcium is consumed daily, blood pressure can be reduced by 9% after 6 weeks. Moreover, the carotene in corn is converted into vitamin A by the human body, which has anti-cancer properties; plant fiber can accelerate the excretion of carcinogens and other toxins; and natural vitamin E promotes cell division, slows aging, lowers serum cholesterol, prevents skin lesions, and can alleviate arteriosclerosis and brain function decline. Researchers point out that the lutein and zeaxanthin in corn can counteract eye aging. Additionally, eating more corn can inhibit the side effects of anti-cancer drugs on the human body, stimulate brain cells, and enhance human intelligence and memory.

2. Eye Protection

A 1994 study conducted by Harvard Medical School and many other research centers showed that higher intake of lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by 43%. Corn contains lutein and zeaxanthin, with the latter being particularly abundant, making corn an excellent supplementary food for combating eye aging.

3. Can Lower Human Cholesterol

American researchers also discovered that regular consumption of corn bran and corn oil is very beneficial for lowering human cholesterol. They selected 70 elderly people with an average age of 55 (50 men and 20 women) whose cholesterol levels were relatively high and who had been hospitalized for over two years without satisfactory results. During the trial, researchers finely ground the corn and mixed it with seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, and celery, then blended it with tomatoes or soup into a food. For the first one and a half months, each person consumed 20 grams per day, and for the following one and a half months, 40 grams per day. After three months, it was found that the triglycerides in the blood of all 70 individuals had decreased, and the cholesterol levels of 60 individuals had lowered.

4. Aids in the Treatment of Various Diseases

According to traditional Chinese medicine, corn is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, with effects such as stimulating appetite, strengthening the spleen, removing dampness, and promoting urination. It is mainly used to treat diarrhea, indigestion, edema, etc. Corn is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, which accounts for over 60% of its content. It works in synergy with vitamin E in the corn germ to lower blood cholesterol concentration and prevent its deposition on blood vessel walls. Therefore, corn has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Vitamin E can also promote human cell division and delay aging. Corn also contains a longevity factor—glutathione. With the participation of selenium, it produces glutathione peroxidase, which has the function of restoring youth and delaying aging. The rich calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E, and carotene have a supplementary therapeutic effect on cholecystitis, gallstones, jaundice hepatitis, and diabetes.

Corn, Fava Bean, and Pork Rib Soup

Corn is best eaten boiled:

Corn contains a lot of starch and can also be part of our staple food. It can be eaten in many ways—boiled, roasted, or as popcorn. However, we recommend eating boiled corn, as other cooking methods can easily destroy its nutrients. Although boiling corn can lead to some loss of vitamin C, it releases more nutrients, especially phenolic compounds and lysine, which have certain therapeutic effects for diseases like cancer.

Many people like to clean the corn silk and leaves thoroughly when boiling corn, which is a pity. Corn silk can promote bile secretion, act as a diuretic, and lower blood sugar, while the corn cob core can stop sweating. It is also known that summer is a high-incidence season for urinary tract infections, and the water used to boil corn has an anti-infective effect, provided the corn was cleaned beforehand. When eating corn, it's best to eat the germ part completely, as it is the essence of the corn and plays a very important role in protecting the cardiovascular system and fighting aging.

Potato and Corn Chowder