5 Hidden Health Benefits of Popcorn
Would you ever imagine that dunking your hand in a tub of popcorn could actually be healthy for you? Scientists and medical experts have recently discovered that plain popcorn is power packed with nutrients. So the next time you are hungry, say goodbye to that cheesy burger and say hello to plain popcorn. Here are a few health benefits of eating popcorn that you should know.
1. Popcorn is full of antioxidants
The hull of popcorn is known to be full of antioxidants. The hull is the kernel which generally gets stuck in between teeth and is hard to chew. The antioxidants present in popcorn are called polyphenols. They help in fighting free radicals in the body which in turn prevent cardiovascular diseases, cell damage and the ageing process. Having a diet rich in antioxidants is also known to help in preventing cancer. The only reason that popcorn contains more antioxidants than fruits is because it does not have any water content in which antioxidants may get diluted. Popcorn is also known to have an antioxidant called ferulic acid which is present in foods like rice, barley, beans and other whole grains which have similar health benefits.
2. Popcorn has less fat than other snacks
Since popcorn is a food which can be eaten by itself without any accompaniments, it has fewer calories. It is also known to have lesser fat content than other snacks that are full of cheese and other oils. But if you eat popcorn which is greased in butter and artificial flavorings, you may not be able to get this health benefit. Popcorn with minimal seasoning is the perfect snack which is tasty and healthy at the same time.
3. Popcorn contains the goodness of whole grains
Because a popcorn kernel is essentially a whole grain, it contains all the goodness which is found in the germ, bran and endosperm of a whole grain. Experts claim that popcorn contains Vitamin E, B, protein, minerals, healthy oils, starch and fiber. So when you consume popcorn, you are actually consuming whole grains which form an important part of your diet.
