When you think of health foods, popcorn probably doesn’t come to mind.
But according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, popcorn contains just as many healthful antioxidants as many fruits and vegetables!
The hulls of popcorn contain significantly high amounts of polyphenols, a class of antioxidants associated with cardiovascular benefits and anti cancer properties.
33 grams of popped popcorn provides 500 mg of polyphenols, which is about half of what the average American consumes each day. Researchers found that popcorn contains more polyphenols than fruits like pears and apples. And it has about 1/2 the antioxidant content of walnuts and 2/3 that of peanuts. Now this isn’t an excuse to skip eating fruits, veggies, nuts, etc. but by adding popcorn to your list of approved healthy snack foods you can get some extra nutritional value.
To retain most of the nutritional value you should make air-popped popcorn at home without any added oil or butter. This will greatly cut down the fat and calorie content over regular butter or oil popped popcorn by half. To add extra flavor you can try seasoning your popcorn with dry spices like sea salt, garlic and herb, or if you are looking for a spicy kick even some Cajun seasoning.
So the next time you are looking for a healthy movie night treat, pop yourself some air popped popcorn and satisfy your cravings and bump up your antioxidant intake at the same time!
Air Popped Popcorn Nutritional Value: (1 Cup Of Popped Corn)
– 31 calories
– 0.4 grams of fat
– 6 grams of carbohydrate
– 1 gram of protein
Reference: “Popcorn Is Packed with Antioxidants” http://healthland.time.com/2012/03/26/popcorn-is-packed-with-antioxidants
18 Comments
Raymond
Hey Lee how ya doin..was wondering plain popcorn doesnt always do it any suggestions on what might be good too top it with…Thanks……PS just wanna add your a class guy I read as much of your help suggestions an watch your videos trying too get in shape a tough sell for me as I work so many hours..
ed
id have to buy a popper for this or is there popcorn a the store that is air poped
Imran Shaik
Hey thanks Lee for the info.. good to know
mike
Popcorn would be the snack of choice if it wasn’t for the GMO part of the equation. You want to eliminate all genetically modified foods from your diet. Problem is food company’s have governments in their pockets so you probably will never know what your eating. Corn is off my diet list. Do the research, don’t let the “muscle bro’s” to do the thinking for you.
harold
i used to eat popcorn when i was a kid. since i read this article now im gonna go buy a case of it from costco and get creative with some spices! can’t wait! thanks a million lee! your the best in the west!
harold
ed,
get a microwave
Robert
Raymond,
Kernel seasonings is great, many different flavors to choose from. I love it!!
leehayward
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To add extra flavor you can try seasoning your popcorn with dry spices like sea salt, garlic and herb, or if you are looking for a spicy kick even some Cajun seasoning.
leehayward
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I’m not sure, but you can get a decent popper for about $20 so it’s not going to break the bank.
Rob Winters
I knew popcorn (without the butter etc :-() was ok but never knew about the high level of antioxidants.The only problem is the cinema portion sizes – hard to stop munching once it’s in front of you.Next time i’m going to the movies i’ll bring along my own little cup and just say “fill me up” problem solved 🙂
Trey
The problem with airpop popcorn is that the popcorn is too dry for the spices to stick. I like salt on my popcorn but it all goes to the bottom of the bowl.
What I have done in the past is to use a non stick cooking spray, usually a butter flavor one, to spray on the popcorn so that the salt would stick.
I don’t know how healty this is, but then again I don’t eat a lot of popcorn.
Krystal
Isn’t popcorn high glycemic therefore, raising the fat storage hormone insulin, in the blood stream?
leehayward
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Popcorn is “medium” on the glycemic index with a rank of 55.
leehayward
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You can get a fat free butter flavor spray, becel makes one that’s pretty good.
jon
the fiber in popcorn is another great benefit.
Satish
Hi Mr Lee Hayward
I read as much of your help suggestions and watch your videos trying too get in shape
thank you….. 🙂
FRED
mike:
Popcorn would be the snack of choice if it wasn’t for the GMO part of the equation.You want to eliminate all genetically modified foods from your diet. Problem is food company’s have governments in their pockets so you probably will never know what your eating.Corn is off my diet list.Do the research, don’t let the “muscle bro’s” to do the thinking for you.
Great point about popcorn (and CORN in general)! It would be the reason for buying both types of corn ORGANIC although its (organic popcorn) not as easy to find.
Don’t know anyone actually who savors the flavor of dry popcorn (especially air popped) but for a VERY TASTEY treat air pop your popcorn then add COCONUT OIL on top it then use top it off w/ sea salt – very tastey! – Olive oil tastes great on it too!
casey macville
i cant believe it..thanks for sharing…