Nothing goes better with a great blockbuster than freshly popped popcorn. But, popcorn can become a nutritional nightmare once it is drenched in butter, salt and sugar! But now a chemist called Joe Vinson and his team at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have been looking at the neglected health benefits of plain, unadorned popcorn.
In a recent article it was explained that according to Vinson’s research, one serving of popcorn contains high levels of healthy antioxidants called polyphenols. “You’re getting about 200 milligrams of antioxidants per serving size, and for comparison purposes, an average person eats about two grams of polyphenols per day,” explained Vinson.
Fruits and vegetables are also high in this antioxidant, but because of their high water content the healthy antioxidants are diluted.
“So on a weight basis, popcorn is high in antioxidants because it doesn’t have water,” said Vinson.
In fact, the new study found that the amount of polyphenols found in popcorn was up to 300 milligrams per serving compared to 114 milligrams per serving of sweet corn and 160 milligrams per serving in any fruit. In addition, one serving of popcorn could provide 13 percent of an average intake of polyphenols a day per person in the U.S.
Polyphenols may combat deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease, but none of popcorn’s great health benefits are found in the white fluffy part of the food
“If you want the maximum benefit to your health – the fiber and the antioxidants – then you need to eat that little kernel, despite the fact that it sticks between your teeth,” Vinson said.
Researchers also said that microwaving, or air-popping, popcorn does not affect its antioxidant levels.
Despite its health benefits, popcorn cannot replace fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet because they contain other essential vitamins and minerals that are absent in popcorn.
Just remember to keep your popcorn sugar free and sprinkle it with things like cinnamon or ginger and if you must have a bit of sweetness than perhaps try a little sweetener like xylitol or stevia.