Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Corn: A Vegetable
The variety of corn common to Nigeria is the yellow corn. The yellow corn is in season now, so indulge yourselves and eat moderate amounts of corn before it goes out of season.
Corn is not only great in taste but it also has immense health benefits. The yellow corn is high in carotenoid {beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, gamma-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin} and lutein.
Carotenoid has vitamin A activity and also acts as anti- oxidants. The lutein in yellow corn and yellow corn food products can protect against heart disease and macular degeneration {macula degeneration is loss of vision in the eye typically seen in older adults}
Corn is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, as well as sodium. It's also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, B5, C, E, folic acid, magnesium and phosphorus.
Folate in corn helps the generation of new cells, especially important before and during pregnancy.
The fiber in corn is good for those suffering from common digestive ailments, like constipation and hemorrhoids because it aids bowel movement.
The beta-cryptoxanthin in corn is good for the health of the lungs and may even help prevent lung cancer.
I think these are enough reasons to eat corn.
So what are you waiting for, go get you corn, either boiled or roasted corn.
I am munching mine now. I know i will definitely reap the benefits!
ReplyDelete