Air-popped popcorn can contribute to good health when eaten as part of a varied diet
Is popcorn good for you? Let’s find out!
Here are just a few of air-popped popcorn’s purported health benefits:
- Prevents constipation. Firstly, air-popped popcorn is high in fiber – around 3.6 grams per cup to be exact – which can help to relieve constipation and keep you regular. But it must be air-popped (eg DIY). Beware microwave popcorn, which often contains way more calories and saturated fat. The air-popped variety, on the other hand, typically has less than 100 calories per serving.
2. Lowers your risk of heart disease. A high-fiber diet is thought to decrease the risk of coronary heart and cardiovascular disease, making air-popped popcorn a great snack for heart health. Just make sure you stick to a single serving, which is around four to five cups (popped).
3. Can help lower blood pressure. Eaten as part of a healthy and varied diet, air-popped popcorn is an excellent snack if you are keeping an eye on your blood pressure. Just be sure to stay away from varieties with a lot of added butter or salt.
Popcorn the protector
Air-popped popcorn has lots of protective and preventative health properties
4. Lowers your diabetes risk. Air-popped popcorn is a whole grain, whose properties are hugely beneficial for human health. It’s thought that eating whole grains is one of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes – particularly in later life. Popcorn may also help to regulate blood sugar levels, thanks to its low glycemic index (GI).
5. Protects against free radicals. Popcorn is rich in phenolic acids, whose antioxidant properties can counteract free radicals, which damage healthy cells and DNA.
6. An excellent source of nutrition. Air-popped popcorn contains lots of different vitamins and minerals to support overall health and nutrition. These include vitamins A, B6, E and K, as well as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), thiamine, niacin, folate and riboflavin. Ultimately, these can help keep your bodily functions in tip-top condition!
7. Can support weight management. Finally, popcorn has often been dubbed the number one snack for weight loss thanks to its high fiber and low calorie count. There’s even an official Popcorn Diet. But while we wouldn’t advocate sticking to anything less than a healthy, balanced diet, popcorn may help weight management if you substitute higher calorie snacks such as nuts and crisps for the plain, air-popped variety.
Air-popped popcorn is an excellent snack if you are keeping an eye on your blood pressure