Contents:
- Medical Video: Health & Nutrition : Is Popcorn a Healthy Snack?
- Popcorn can be a healthy snack
- Eating popcorn can help you lose weight and provide health benefits
- However, popcorn can also be bad for health
- To get the benefits of popcorn, eat healthy popcorn
Medical Video: Health & Nutrition : Is Popcorn a Healthy Snack?
Popcorn is one of the snacks that many people like. Usually these snacks accompany you while watching a movie. But, these snacks are often labeled badly by many people. In fact, actually popcorn also has benefits for you. Is it true that eating popcorn often is good for health?
Popcorn can be a healthy snack
Popcorn is a snack made from corn. Special corn will expand when exposed to heat. So, actually popcorn has a useful nutrient content. In 100 grams of fresh popcorn it contains vitamins B1, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and manganese. Fresh popcorn only contains 1 gram of fat and 3 grams of protein per serving. However, this will certainly be different if the popcorn is made with oil or butter. In addition, popcorn also contains high fiber.
Eating popcorn can help you lose weight and provide health benefits
The high fiber content contained in popcorn makes popcorn can help you lose weight. In one portion of popcorn (or about three glasses), it contains 3.6 grams of fiber.
Not only that, snacking on popcorn also only contributes relatively small calories to the body. One serving of fresh popcorn contains only 93 calories. So, you can make popcorn as an alternative to healthy snacks while on a diet.
Besides being beneficial in losing weight, popcorn also has other health benefits. The content of polyphenols in popcorn can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer (such as breast cancer and prostate cancer).
Polyphenols are antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. In some studies, polyphenols have been shown to help improve gastrointestinal health, help blood circulation work better, and help reduce the risk of many diseases.
However, popcorn can also be bad for health
Yes, popcorn can be dangerous for health, especially popcorn made by heating packaged popcorn on microwave. This popcorn packaging is mostly coated with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). In several studies, PFOA has been associated with ADHD risk, low birth weight, and thyroid problems.
Popcorn in this package also contains diacetyl contained in artificial butter flavorings. Although research has not shown a negative effect on diacetyl on human health, some studies in animals have shown that diacetyl can damage the respiratory tract and cause lung disease.
Not only that, nowadays a lot of popcorn is sold with various flavors, such as caramel flavor for example. This certainly makes popcorn a snack that is not low in calories anymore. Lots of popcorn in packs that must be heated inside microwave also contains trans oil. Trans oil is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other serious diseases.
To get the benefits of popcorn, eat healthy popcorn
Some types of popcorn may be harmful to your health. But this danger might be prevented if you eat healthier popcorn. You can buy popcorn made by baking it on the stove, so you can avoid the dangers posed by packaged popcorn (popcorn microwave).
You also choose fresh popcorn that does not contain sugar and salt, so there are only few calories in it. Eating popcorn can prevent you from increasing excess weight.
