A new study has shown one of the benefits of eating popcorn. It turns out that it's healthy for the blood vessels, digestion and protects against cancer.
Dr. Catherine Collins at St. George's Hospital in London has been fascinated by the benefits of this product for years.
Just 2 tbsp (30 g) of it, she says, is better for you than the daily dose of rice and baked goods. Few of us may be familiar with the fact that popcorn lowers the risk of heart attack and cancer.
Consuming popcorn regulates blood sugar levels, it decreases bad cholesterol and contains vitamin B. In addition, it contains 3 times more fiber in comparison to the same amount of sunflower seeds.
It has been found that popcorn owes its health benefits to the "surprisingly rich" amount of polyphenol antioxidant in it. It is this that destroys free radicals, which are catalysts for cancer and other cardiovascular problems.
Even today, experts' opinions vary regarding the consumption of popcorn. Some condemn it as completely unhealthy but others claim that it is healthy, due to the aforementioned presence of antioxidants.
The truth is, popcorn is high in calories. It contains 60% carbohydrates and 30% fat. The remaining 10% are fiber. It is to this fiber that the health benefits are tied to.
But a small bowl of popcorn contains more salt than the recommended daily dose. This, in turn, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and decreases bone density.
On the other hand, popcorn is healthy because of the fiber and polyphenols with strong antioxidant effects. They shield cells against the negative impact of free radicals.
Plus, they have been proven to protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This is enough for some scientists to label them as healthy.
Experts advise us to eat homemade, unsalted popcorn. It has a reduced content of fat, cholesterol, sodium and is rich in vitamin C.
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