Using Corn For Food And Snack Offers Wonderful Benefits.

Corn, called Zea mays, is a large grain plant that is used both as a grain and vegetable. Though corn is considered to be high in starchy carbohydrates, it is has a lot of healthy nutrients which offer fantastic health benefits. Corn is commonly called maize and comes in colours ranging from white, yellow, purple and blue.

Corn has the following nutrients;

• Complex carbohydrates.
• Low protein.
• Low fat.
• Vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins like pantothenic acid, folates.
• Minerals like phosphorus, manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron.
• High in fiber.
• Antioxidants and phytochemicals like lutein, zeaxanthin, anthocyanin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechinic acid, syringic acid, beta-carotene, coumaric acid, ferulic acid etc.

Corn helps in the following ways because of its nutrients;

1)      Corn has an impressive combination of antioxidants and phytochemicals which help to protect the body from oxidative stress or the ravages of free radicals. These in turn protect the body from heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  It also helps to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure. Some of these antioxidants help in eye health. This antioxidant activity is increased when corn is cooked.

2)      Corn has a high level of fiber which aids in digestion and regulates blood sugar. This helps in protecting against constipation and hemorrhoids. It also helps to fight fat.

Corn is versatile in cooking. It can be boiled, roasted, or ground to powder (cornmeal) to use in baking and pastes. . All over the world, corn is used to make so many food products. In Nigeria, it is made into tuwo, ogi, eko, akamu, koko etc. Here are three healthy snacks and meals from Nigeria, using corn.

1)      Cooked or roasted corn with coconut.

2)      Stewed beans and corn.

3)      Tuwo, ewedu, gbegiri and soft bone stew.

Corn has so much to offer for everyone, especially individuals trying to snack and eat healthy meals. Remember to eat in moderation to avoid unwanted weight gain.

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