This snack is going to blow your mind!
Popcorn can be bought pre-popped, scooped from a machine, or microwaved at home. It's great for snacking at any time of day, and you can quickly eat a handful of it without even realizing it. They're similar to chips in that you can't just eat one!
Although this muscle memory activity may not
appear dangerous, is there something to be said about overeating popcorn?
1. Increases the amount of fiber and protein in your diet.
Popcorn is packed in fiber and protein (a complete grain) and can fill you with fewer calories, says Real Nutrition's Amy Shapiro, MS, RD.
Popcorn is a high-volume snack that gives a pleasing crunch. This means you can consume a large piece without adding too many calories or fat grams to your diet.
Shapiro does point out, however, that not all popcorn is made equal. Air-popped popcorn is her favorite.
Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, states that 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contains 3.6 grams of fiber for fewer than 100 calories. "Since most Americans lack fiber, air-popped popcorn could be beneficial."
Instead of butter and salt, Goodson recommends using herbs and spices to flavor it. Shapiro also suggests avoiding movie-style popcorn, but if you must, eat it in moderation.
2. It can result in gas.
Shapiro: "Some people can't digest full grains or eat too much popcorn."
If this is the case, Shapiro recommends limiting your servings, chewing your food thoroughly, and drinking plenty of water.
"High fiber diets might cause pain and constipation if not consumed with enough water," adds Shapiro.
3. Increases your intake of antioxidants
Goodson says air-popped popcorn is antioxidant-rich.
"Phenolic acids are a type of antioxidant found in popcorn," adds Goodson. Antioxidants fight cell-damaging free radicals.
According to a study published by the University of Scranton, Popcorn contains more of the beneficial antioxidant compounds known as "polyphenols" than fruits and vegetables.
According to the study, popcorn contains up to 300 milligrams of polyphenols per serving. Sweet corn had 114 milligrams per serving, while other fruits had 160 milligrams.
A single serving of popcorn could supply 13 percent of a person's daily polyphenol intake.
4. If you are not careful, you may increase your caloric intake.
"Air-popped popcorn provides nutrition and calories," explains Goodson.
Trans fat and saturated fat are frequently found in pre-packaged popcorn. Both types of fats, according to Goodson, should be avoided in your diet. If you want to make your popcorn low-calorie while still enjoying it seasoned, she recommends flavoring it with herbs and spices. Instead of butter, a gentle toss in olive or avocado oil would suffice.
5. Popcorn can help alleviate depression.
Popcorn contains vitamin B3, often known as niacin, which has been examined for its ability to relieve depression naturally, making it a "comfort food" in the literal sense.
6. Popcorn Helps to Prevent Aging
Popcorn has anti-aging properties. Free radicals are far more destructive than cancer. They've been connected to age-related symptoms like wrinkles, age spots, macular degeneration and blindness, muscle weakness, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, hair loss, and many other things that become more noticeable as people get older. Because of the potent antioxidants that battle the effects of free radicals, popcorn can help a person feel healthy and cheerful far into old age.
7. Popcorn helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Dietary fiber affects blood sugar levels in the body as well. When the body consumes enough fiber, it can better balance the release and management of blood sugar and insulin levels than when it has too little.
Popcorn decreases blood sugar levels. Reducing these blood sugar fluctuations is a significant benefit for diabetic people; hence popcorn is always suggested if you have diabetes.