Hidden Benefits of Popcorn
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By Sara Abadi
Good news for popcorn lovers: New research shows this snack food is packed with health benefits.
According to the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, foods made from whole grains not only serve as a good source of fiber, but also contain the antioxidant Polyphenol, reports ABC News. This antioxidant, often associated with food and drinks like chocolate or wine, is now linked to whole grain foods, such as breakfast cereals and even snacks like popcorn. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that popcorn outdid the other snack foods tested in terms of fiber and antioxidants.
Antioxidants can help prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and even some cancers. They defend the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals, which can be found in harmful pollutants.
"It's a whole grain, people don't think of it that way but it is," Keith-Thomas Ayoob, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York told ABC. "It's a different form of corn, but it's definitely a whole grain."
Previous research has shown it was the fiber in these whole grains that helped reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. However, it is now emerging that Polyphenols may be more important in fighting off these diseases, according to Medical News Today.
Before you start gobbling the classic movie munchie, remember that popcorn is healthiest when it's plain. Extra salt, butter and other additives don't exactly qualify popcorn as a healthy snack. However, compared to other finger foods, such as chips, it can be a healthier choice -- with fewer calories and full of fiber.
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