Healthy Benefits of Corn

Overview About Corn

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important food crops, except wheat and rice. As the main source of carbohydrate in Central and South America, corn is also an alternative source of food in the United States. 

Residents of some areas in Indonesia (eg in Madura and Nusa Tenggara) also use corn as a staple food. Aside from being a source of carbohydrate, corn is also grown as fodder (forage and cob), extracted oil (of grain), made of flour (from grains, known as corn flour or cornstarch), and industrial raw materials (flour, grain and cob meal ). 

Corn cobs are rich in pentose, which is used as raw material for the manufacture of furfural. Genetically engineered corn has also now grown as a producer of pharmaceutical ingredients. (Source Wikipedia).

Nutrient Content of Corn per 100 grams of material

    Calories: 355 Calories

    Protein: 9.2 g

    Fat: 3.9 g

    Carbohydrates: 73.7 g

    Calcium: 10 mg

    Phosphorus: 256 mg

    Ferrum: 2.4 mg

    Vitamin A: 510 SI

    Vitamin B1: 0.38 mg

    Water: 12 gr

Healthy Benefits of Corn for the Body

1. Improves digestion

Corn has a lot of fiber which is a great advantage for digestion. It can prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, and even lower the risk of colon cancer.

2. Rich mineral

More than you can think, the majority of corn contains magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, and most importantly, necessary for bone health. These nutrients not only prevent you from cracking bones as you get older, but also improve kidney function.

3. Caring for leather

Corn is also rich in antioxidants, which helps in keeping the skin youthful. Besides consumed as food, can also be used oil which is a rich source of linoleic acid. Cornmeal is also useful to relieve skin irritation.

4. Preventing anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is reduced considerably due to lack of iron. Thus, sweet corn beneficial to health because it is rich in B vitamins and folic acid to prevent anemia.

5. Controlling cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance produced by the liver. There are two types of cholesterol, the good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Increased cholesterol intake of fatty foods because it weakens your heart and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C, carotenoids and bioflavinoids contained in sweet corn keep your heart healthy by controlling cholesterol levels and improve blood flow in the body.

6. It is important during pregnancy.

Maize consumption in pregnant women, providing a rich source of folic acid. Folic acid deficiency in pregnancy affect the baby. Lack of folic acid in the body affects the baby's weight. Sweet corn beneficial to the health of pregnant women and infants. This prevents babies were underweight and avoid other defects.