Yellow corn, also known as maize or simply corn, is a very popular grain. Here in Nigeria, we eat corn in different ways; either by roasting it, boiling it, turning it into pudding and much more including being made into cereals. One of the things that make corn very pop is that it is a perennial plant, meaning you have it at all seasons of the year.
In today’s post, we would be looking at some of the health benefits of yellow corn. But first let’s find out the nutritional value of yellow corn.
Nutritional Value of Yellow Corn
Corn is a very healthy grain that is packed with a lot of vitamins and nutrients, like fibre, carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and lots more. The calories in one boiled yellow corn is 96. Other nutrients that are present in yellow corn are pantothenic acid, niacin, folate vitamin B6 and potassium.
Yellow corn is also an excellent source of Vitamin A. As corn kernels mutated from white to yellow, they acquired chemicals called carotenoids. One of these carotenoids is beta-carotene, which is responsible for producing Vitamin A. This is the difference between white between white corn and yellow corn. White corn doesn’t have carotenoids, while yellow corn has carotenoids.
Health Benefits of Yellow Corn
Yellow corn is a variety of sweet corn. The following are some of the health benefits of yellow corn.
1. Aids Digestion
Corn is rich in insoluble fibre, which aids the digestion process and increases stool bulk. By doing that, it makes it softer and easier to pass out. This helps to prevent constipation, haemorrhoids, and irregular bowel movement (IBS). It also makes your gut healthy.
2. Manages Diabetes
Corn is also rich in soluble fibre which is great for managing diabetes. This is because soluble fibre helps to regulate blood sugar levels because it helps to slow the absorption of sugar, meaning there would be no sharp increase in your blood sugar levels.
3. Increases Iron Levels
Another good thing about yellow corn is that it increases iron levels in the body. Iron deficiency, also known as Anaemia, is a serious condition that affects children. This is usually caused by reduced haemoglobin levels, causing the blood to lack red cells. Adding corn to your diet can supply your body with the iron it needs. Yellow corn is one of the foods that are rich in iron.
4. Improves Your Vision
Eating yellow corn would also give you better vision. This is because it supplies your body with lutein and zeaxanthin, which are two carotenoids that play a very important role in your eyesight. If you lack these two carotenoids, it can result in issues like cataracts, macular degeneration, as well as age-related ophthalmologic disorders. Yellow corn also contains beta carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin.
5. Weight Management
If you are looking for a way to gain weight fast, then you should eat more of sweet corn. It contains a lot of calories and is very rich in carbohydrates. Making corn your steady diet could see you gain some pounds in very little time. Eating corn can also aids weight loss. The fibre in corn fills you up and makes you fuller for longer. So you can go a long time without feeling hungry. Eating less would help you lose weight eventually.
7. Improves Heart Health
Your heart also gets to benefit from you eating corn. Eating corn helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the bad cholesterol levels, effectively reducing the chances of your arteries becoming clogged, lower blood pressure, and minimize the risk of heart attack and stroke. It also eliminates the risks of other heart diseases.
7. Rich In Antioxidants
Keep your body healthy by eating corn as it is very rich in antioxidants like phytic acid, ferulic acid, as well as carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin which help protect your body from a range of diseases including Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration.
Bottom Line
Yellow Corn is a delicious plant with amazing nutritional composition and health benefits. You can gain these health benefits of yellow corn by adding it to your diet.
