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The truth is organic corn can be a important source of lots of great nutrients and a great part of a healthy diet. The Native Americans such as the Aztecs, Incas, and other tribes thrived on corn, and it sustained them during the hard times. And organic corn has a lot of great health benefits in general, and some call it one of the healthiest foods in the world. Here are some of the wonderful health benefits of organic corn.
Where It Grows - Even though corn was first discovered in North America it has spread throughout Brazil, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Africa, Mexico, USA, and China. And corn goes back 8,000 years, so corn has been around for a long time.
Lots of Antioxidants - Corn contains lots of very healthy antioxidants such as coumaric acid, caffeic acid, anthocyanins, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and protocatechuic acid and lots of bet-carotene all of which help to prevent and repair DNA damage thus helping to prevent disease. And blue corn contains hydroxybenzoic acid which is a very powerful antioxidant and purple corn contains another antioxidant protocatechuic acid. And drying corn at high temperatures does not lower the antioxidant benefit of corn.
Short Chain Fatty Acids - Corn contains a large amount of Short Chain Fatty Acids which help to prevent colon disease and cancer.
Great Fiber for Probiotics - Corn contains lots of fiber which is important for providing a good environment for the growth of probiotic bacteria which boosts up our immune system. One cup of corn contains about 4.6 grams of fiber making it high fiber food. And corn fiber also helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, and constipation.
Good Fats - Corn does contain fat, but most of that fat is unsaturated good fats which are important for great health.
Protein - 1 cup of organic corn contains about 5 grams of protein, making corn a nice source of protein.
Prevents Macular Degeneration - Corn contains zeaxanthin and lutein which help to prevent macular degeneration.
Lowers Blood Pressure - Corn may also be able to lower blood pressure by preventing angiotensin-I converting enzyme from being produced more studies to be done.
Lowers Blood Sugar - Consuming 1 or 2 cups of whole corn daily has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels for those with type 1 and 2 diabetes more than likely due to the high fiber content of the corn.
Inhibits Some Viruses - Corn contains lectins and those lectins bind with viruses and thus inhibiting the growth of certain viral agents.
Types of Corn - There are many different types of corn including white, yellow, blue, red, purple, and even black types of corn.
Low in Sugar - The average ear of corn contains less calories than a large apple and only has about 1/4 the sugar content, making corn a healthy food.
Eating Corn Linked to Long Life - Lots of cultures that live to be very old incorporate whole organic corn into their diet.
Corn is Low in Calories - The average ear of corn on the cob has less calories than a large apple. Most people think that corn is fattening but thats not true, its just all the butter and oil that we put on corn that makes it high in calories.
Cooking Corn Increases Antioxidants - Corn is one of those rare foods that actually increases antioxidants in corn with cookingAmazing!
Darker Colors Mean More Antioxidants - The darker the color of corn the more antioxidants it contains.
Gluten Free Food - With gluten intolerance and celiac disease on the rise corn makes a welcome addition to a gluten free diet.
Cholesterol Free Food - Corn is a cholesterol free food making it great for those with cardiovascular disease.
Contains - Corn contains calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, B- Vitamins for good mood and vitality, manganese and magnesium for enzyme production, Vitamin C to prevent colds and flues and cancer, potassium for good heart contractions and water regulation, iron and copper for anemia, and zinc and selenium to boost up our immune system and much more.
Corn and Beans - Corn and beans creates a full spectrum food that helps to sustain large populations for long periods of time. And adding other veggies makes corn a very well rounded and nutritious addition to any meal.
Good Source of Energy - Anyone who works hard and needs energy will enjoy whole organic corn a long lasting energy source full of great carbs.
Cooking - Corn can be boiled, steamed, ground into flour, made into polenta, and cornmeal can be used for making bread and tortillas. Corn can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, tamales, roasted, BBQd, used in salads, and just about any dish a person can think of including our favorite corn on the cob and desserts. And google Corn Recipes and lots of great tasting recipes will come up.
Say No to Processed Corn - Stay away from fried corn and all processed types of corn including high fructose corn syrup which is unhealthy. Fructose sweeteners concentrate the little bit of sweetness of corn into something that is totally not natural at all and its fattening.
Say No to GMO Corn - We really dont know what genetically modified corn will do to the human body or animals so eat organic corn. Also any corn that is not organic can contain up to 30 different chemicals including 6 cancer causing agents, 12 hormone disrupting agents, and 12 other disease causing chemicals.
Eat organic corn and be healthy!
Healthy Addition to a Whole Foods Diet - Organic corn can be a wonderful and healthy addition to a Whole Foods Plant Based Diet. But like all foods corn should be enjoyed in moderation for its maximum benefit.
Enjoy some organic whole grain corn and be healthy!
Dr Paul Haider - Master Herbalist
