Corn: health benefits and harms, calorie content, chemical composition

Corn, or maize, is one of the most ancient cereals. Mexico is considered the homeland, where it has been cultivated since ancient times. Currently, the culture is popular and grown in many countries around the world. For the purposeful use of cereals, it is necessary to know what are the benefits and harms of corn for human health, how it affects the body, and its possible contraindications.

Chemical composition of corn

Maize grains are naked, their weight is about 0.3 g, from above they are covered with a dense shell of white or yellowish color. The chemical composition of corn grain includes saponin, essential oil, alkaloids, vitamins, nicotinic acid, biotin, carotenoids, a large amount of macro- and microelements. Grains contain biologically active substances, the benefits of which for human health can hardly be overestimated.

Vitamins in corn

The benefits of the cereal are determined by its rich mineral and vitamin composition. 100 g of corn contains:

vitamin PP (2 mg) - nicotinic acid, participates in recovery processes;
beta-carotene (0.32 mg) - has antioxidant properties;
B vitamins (1.2 mg) - are responsible for cellular metabolism;
vitamin E (1.3 mg) - protects the body from toxins;
choline (71 mg) - helps in building brain cells.

Trace elements

100 g of the product contains trace elements:

iron (3.7 mg) - helps to provide the body with oxygen;
zinc (1.73 mg) - regulates the activity of the nervous system;
iodine (5.2 mcg) - is responsible for the thyroid gland;
copper (290 mcg) - affects blood formation;
manganese (1.09 mg) - is responsible for the proper development of cells;
selenium (30 mcg) - provides antioxidant protection;
chromium (8 μg) - regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats;
fluorine (64 mcg) - strengthens the immune system;
boron (270 mcg) - maintains normal hormonal levels;
aluminum (440 mcg) - participates in the construction of bone tissue.

How many calories are in corn

The calorie content of corn per 100 grams of product is 325 Kcal. Consisting of:

carbohydrates - 60 g;
proteins - 10.3 g;
fats - 4.9 g;
dietary fiber - 9.6 g;
water - 14.0 g;
starch - 58.2 g;
ash - 1.2 g;
saturated acids - 0.56 g;
unsaturated acids - 3.46 g;
monosaccharides - 1.6 g

Useful properties of corn

Regular consumption of cobs and their products in food contributes to changes in the body:

positive dynamics in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases;
reducing the risks of cardiovascular pathologies;
prevention of diabetes and obesity;
calcium retention in the body;
protection from eye diseases;
improving digestion;
getting rid of fatty liver;
protecting the skin from wrinkles and aging;
strengthening immunity.

For men

The benefits of corn on the cob for men are due to the chemical composition of the product and are as follows:

the level of "bad" cholesterol decreases;
improves memory;
inflammation is prevented;
the risk of adenoma of the prostate gland decreases;
the condition of patients with nephritis and gout is eased;
the risk of male infertility is minimized;
dysfunction of the genitals is prevented.

For women

Corn grains are tasty, nutritious, useful not only for men, but also for the health of women, thanks to them the reproductive system functions better, the critical days are smoother, the symptoms of menopause are weaker. Eating corn while dieting helps to maintain slimness, and thanks to the B vitamins, the skin is tightened and rejuvenated. The benefits of the grains have a positive effect on the condition of the hair - they become shiny and lush. On the basis of starch, you can prepare masks that have a regenerating, refreshing effect.

For the elderly

For older people, doctors advise to regularly eat corn in various forms. Its beneficial properties help to improve memory, reduce the risk of developing sclerosis, and slow down the aging process. The boiled type of product is preferable for the elderly. The grains should be soft, in this state they are well absorbed. According to experts, the use of grains in food leads to an improvement and preservation of vision due to the carotenoids that are part of their composition.

At what age can corn be given to children

One of the first foods a baby is fed at six months is corn porridge. The frequency of application is no more than 2 times a week. The first dose should not exceed ½ teaspoon. The portion is gradually increased. The large amount of fiber in the product is beneficial for the functioning of the baby's gastrointestinal tract, normalizing its activity and preventing constipation. It is very important that this type of porridge is hypoallergenic.

Cobs can be given to a child in boiled form no earlier than at the age of two to three years. The maximum serving is 1 piece per day. It is possible to prepare meals based on maize - soups, stews, cereals.

Is it possible to corn during pregnancy and breastfeeding

If there are no contraindications, then during pregnancy, the use of the product is not only not prohibited, but recommended. It can be used as an independent dish or as a side dish, as well as in salads.

The benefits of cereal for a woman's body are undeniable and are as follows:

helps to reduce nausea and other manifestations of toxicosis;
increases efficiency;
reduces swelling;
prevents the possibility of constipation;
cleanses the body of toxins and toxins;
helps to normalize sugar and cholesterol levels;
improves the work of the digestive tract.

It is worth avoiding the use of a canned product, and before using the cobs, you should consult a doctor.

During breastfeeding, in the first month of a baby's life, the use of corn in food is prohibited. Later, you can gradually introduce this product into your diet, focusing on the child's behavior. If during the day the baby did not have any negative reaction - diarrhea, rashes, bloating - then there is no harm, you can use it. The health benefits of boiled corn for mom and baby are significant. In this case, the harm of a canned product is possible only because of the dyes, flavor enhancers, preservatives contained in its composition.

Weight loss corn

The energy value of a cereal depends on its variety and the degree of ripeness of the cob. The ratio of BJU corn allows it to be on the list of dietary foods. It can only bring harm to the figure if it is used incorrectly or excessively.

For weight loss, milk-ripe corn can be used raw or grilled or steamed. The number of calories on the cob of corn in this state is a minimum: only 80 Kcal per 100 g of product. Despite this, a single serving is no more than 200 g. Two servings can be consumed per day. You shouldn't eat corn at night.

Rules for the use of corn for diseases

It must be remembered that corn will harm those who suffer from food intolerances. Excessive food intake can also damage health and cause rashes, allergic reactions, and digestive problems.You can not eat genetically modified corn.

With diabetes mellitus

Grains have a high glycemic index: more than 50. Therefore, in order not to cause harm, diabetics are advised to limit this product in its pure form.

To lower the index, experts recommend combining corn with protein components. In this case, the diabetic receives the same benefits as a healthy person. Corn for diabetes can be used with non-potable dairy products: cottage cheese and cheese.

With gastritis

Despite the medicinal properties of corn, in the acute phase of gastritis, it can cause irreparable harm to health. During the period of remission, it is allowed to use young baked ears for food, or in the form of grated soups - in small quantities.

With pancreatitis

The use of corn for pancreatitis is undesirable, since this food is rough, requiring increased work of the gastrointestinal tract. Assimilation is difficult, which imposes an additional burden on the pancreas. Maize contains a lot of starch, the digestion of which requires a large amount of enzymes produced by the gland. And this is an unnecessary burden on the unhealthy organ. In the chronic form of the disease, it is undesirable to use unripe grains, boiled ears, canned food from products that can be harmful to health.

With gout

It is worth including in the diet of corn cobs for those who suffer from gout. The product promotes the activation of metabolic processes in the body, the restoration of psychological health, which leads to a favorable outcome in the treatment.

With urolithiasis

Corn has a diuretic effect, so long-term use of stigmas can get rid of kidney stones, promotes the elimination of sand.

Contraindications to the use of corn

Despite the rich chemical composition and benefits of the components that make up the cereal, there are contraindications:

acute and chronic form of pancreatitis;
thrombosis;
increased blood clotting;
low body weight;
ulcers of the stomach and duodenum;
diseases of the pancreas.

Could there be a corn allergy?

Maize products are considered hypoallergenic, but allergies are still common in adults and children. They are expressed in rashes, eczema, swelling of the mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, headaches.

Important! If there is a reaction to the product, then the symptoms develop very quickly, and a visit to the doctor should be urgent, especially when it comes to the health of a small child.

How to choose corn

Choosing the right product assumes that several conditions are met:

the ear should be no larger than the palm;
grains - densely stuffed, yellow or creamy;
leaves should cover the corn, keeping it fresh for a long time;
storage - no more than 2 - 3 days.

You can test for ripeness: when you press on a ripe seed, juice comes out.

Conclusion

With proper, reasonable use, only the benefits can be obtained from the cereal, and the health harm of corn will be completely leveled. It is necessary to clearly understand in which cases the cobs of cereal are beneficial, and when it is worth refraining from using them.

Why is corn on the cob good for you?