The scientific character of corn is Zea mays. It was foremost domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Maize is a general grain. Fresh corn is supposed to be a starchy vegetable. The nutrients of fresh corn differ from dry corn. Corn is one of the most widespread vegetables in the U.S. that sometimes gets a bad rap because it has a lot of natural sugar and carbs.
Basically, corn falls into the grain category, it also fits into the definition of a starchy vegetable. The definition of a vegetable is usually a herbaceous plant grown for an edible part that is generally eaten as part of a meal.
Size: The grains are about the size of a pea and adhere in regular rows around a white, pithy substance, which forms the cob An ear holds about 600 kernels
Shape: Cone-shaped, 3-Dimensional geometry and pointed edge /apex/vertex
Flavor: a soft, buttery flavor. It’s all about sugar
Corn Uses/ways
- Corn can also be used as salsa, salads, covered or apply with lime butter
- Even turned with the waffles and pancakes.
- Bakery products (biscuits, loaves of bread, crackers, icing, and cookies
- Beverages
- Food acids (citric acid)
- Don’t forget the dessert
Nutrients
Corn is packed many with many nutrients that are associated with numerous health benefits.100 grams of yellow corn contains the following nutrients.
- Calories: 86
- Sodium: 15mg
- Protein: 3.2g
- Carbs: 19g
- Fiber: 2.7g
- Fat: 1.2g
- Sugar: 3.2g
| How to grow Corn? |
Proven benefits of Corn
Corn has many health benefits. It consists primarily of insoluble fiber which makes it a low-glycemic index food. This food is digested slowly and doesn’t cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar.
- Grain is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage and diseases like cancer and heart diseases
- Good for eye health and prevent lens damage because of the presence of carotenoids and heart diseases
- High carbohydrate content
Might induce weight loss
The calorie content of sweet yellow and white Corn is 96 calories per 100 grams which is why often turns for quick weight gain especially since yellow corn is a source of calories.
Might protect your heart
- Corn oil might have an anti-atherogenic effect on cholesterol levels thus, reducing the effect of various cardiovascular disturbances.
- Corn oil might be the best way to enhance heart health
- Consumption of corn husk oil might lower plasma LDL or bad cholesterol by lowering cholesterol absorption in the body
Eye and skin care
- Yellow corn might be a good source of beta-carotene which forms vitamin A in the body and also maintain vision and skin replenishment.
- It may also benefit the health of skin and mucus membranes, as well as boost the immune system
Prevent constipation
May help in elevating digestive problems such as constipation and hemorrhoids, due to corn being a whole grain. Dietary fiber helps bulk and soft stool and helps to prevent and stimulate regular elimination. This process is done by the production of gastric juice and bile.
Provide essential nutrients
- Contain vital minerals that can help in ensuring proper growth and combatting diseases.
- it is an important source of ferrous, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus.
- The healthy content is best preserved when it is eaten whole or as a popcorn
- Trace minerals like selenium which is difficult to find in most diets. Phosphorus is essential for average growth, health, and optimal kidney functioning
- Magnesium is important for maintaining a normal heart rate and for improving bone mineral density.
Side effects of Corn
- You should be aware of the consumer effect of unfortified corn products and certain by-products like high fructose corn syrup which cause a high risk of obesity, hypertension, leaky gut, and, high cholesterol
- Some people may be allergic to corn or corn protein.
- An unfortified cone-based diet for pregnant women may cause folate deficiency, which can lead to birth defects in the child. If you’re on a corn-based diet, make sure you’re consuming folic acid-enriched corn flour.
- If you are consuming corn in high amounts sets, there is a very high risk of pellagra (a disease caused by a severe deficiency of niacin vitamin B3 which affects the body and can eventually lead to death
FAQ
Why is corn classified as a fruit?
Corn/maize is a fruit, it is produced from the flower or the ovary of the corn plant. Precisely, corn is ranked as a caryopsis, a one-seeded fruit.
What are the forms of corn?
Sweet corn (used for consumption)
Field corn (used in the production of flour)
Available at supermarkets and farmer’s markets. It’s always good to consume fresh corn. However, frozen can also be used
Is corn good for health?
Yes, It is. Corn has many benefits for your health. Corn is good for your skin and eye health. maize has a low glycemic index since it mostly contains insoluble fiber. This food doesn’t induce an unhealthful blood sugar increase because it breaks down slowly.
What is corn vs maize?
The words corn and maize refer to the same cereal grain. In the British English vocabulary, maize is used rather than corn, which is more common in North American English.
