Corn is very versatile and can be used in lots of dishes. It also has many health benefits which includes its ability to assist in regulating blood sugar levels when eaten in moderation because of its low-glycemic index.
Corn is high in fiber which means when consumed helps to support the digestive system and it also digests slowly which means it doesn’t cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar levels. Corn is also high in carbohydrates like starch which can raise blood sugar level if eaten in large quantities, therefore it is advised to eat the vegetable in moderation. It is also packed with other essential vitamins and minerals that aids the body’s regular functions, these include: vitamin C Thiamin, folate, potassium and magnesium, low amounts of fat.
Corn is also a great source of the carotenoid’s lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health and helps to prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. It also helps to support heart health as it can assist in lowering cholesterol. Studies have shown that the antioxidants properties in corn can help in reducing the inflammation of the prostate in men. These properties can also help to boost brain function protecting neuron cells and reduces neuroinflammation thereby, reducing the likelihood of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
There are a variety of corn such as: sweet corn which is used in various dishes as it can be boiled, roasted, added soups, stir fry dishes with rice, noodles and other vegetables. Flint corn which is harder than sweet corn and is often used to make cornmeal, corn flour, other forms of ground corn and popcorn. which is a type of flint corn and Dent corn which is often used to make foods like tortilla chips and grits and is often used as animal feed.
Visit the GFNC’s social media pages for a variety of recipes which includes corn.