Popcorn is a special type of corn that puffs up when heated. It is one of the most popular snack foods in the United States. According to the Popcorn Board, Americans consume 52 quarts of popcorn per person each year. Seventy percent of purchased popcorn is eaten at home and the rest is enjoyed at sporting events, movies and other events.
Popcorn Is Gut-Friendly
Corn is a whole-grain food, and all types of corn are gluten-free. Gluten is a protein found in whole-grain foods such as wheat, rye, barley and triticale. Gluten makes dough elastic and baked goods chewy. However, it can cause severe intestinal problems for individuals with celiac diseases or other intestinal problems. Since popcorn does not contain gluten or wheat, it is a good snack option for individuals on a gluten-free diet.
Popcorn Fits into Any Food Plan
The nutritional content of popcorn depends on how it is prepared. One cup of air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories and 1cup of oil-popped corn has only 55 calories. According to ChooseMyPlate.gov, 3 cups of popcorn is considered a 1-ounce grain equivalent of whole grain. This is good news if you are trying to control your appetite with a filling snack. Instead of 1 slice of bread or 1cup of ready-to-eat cereal, you can have 3 cups of air-popped popcorn.
It’s All in the Hull
Researchers have found that the crunchy hull or center of the popcorn is packed with ferulic acid, a type of antioxidant. Ferulic acid is found in a variety of foods such as rice, corn, barley, beans and other whole grains, but is more concentrated in popcorn due to its low water content. Antioxidants like ferulic acid protect your cells from free radicals, harmful substances produced by some digested foods and by exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution and other toxins. As part of a healthy diet, antioxidants can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
Although popcorn is a naturally healthful snack, it can easily become unhealthful when prepared with large amounts of oil, salt or sugar. This is especially true of movie popcorn. A medium bag of movie popcorn has approximately 720 calories, 1,860 mg of sodium and 48 grams of fat. Adults following a 2,000-calorie diet should not consume more than 67 grams of fat per day. The recommended intake of sodium for adults is 2,300 mg or less per day.
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