About 10,000 years ago, corn was first cultivated in parts of Mexico and Central America. Corn is usually considered a vegetable but it is actually a grain, rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Although the yellow color corn/maize is very common around the world, did you know that corn varieties come in many other colors too such as red, orange, purple, blue, white and even black.
Corn or maize is a grain plant, which originated in southern Mexico. The kernels of the seeds of corn hold the majority of nutrients and are the most consumed parts.
If you love munching these little golden kernels then here are more reasons to add them to your diet. Corn may be high in sugar (sucrose), but there are several other properties of this grain that must not be overlooked.
The are 4 main types of corn
Dent Corn
Dent corn, which is also known as "field corn," is an easy type of corn to spot -- there's a dent in the crown of each individual kernel of corn. It has a high starch and low sugar content, which means it's not sweet and juicy like the corn you buy to eat from the grocery store or farmers market. Because it's not meant to be eaten fresh, dent corn is harvested in its mature stage when the kernels are dry and then processed.
Most dent corn grown in the U.S. winds up as animal feed, though because of its soft starch, dent corn is used as a grain in products like chips and masa (a corn flour used to make corn tortillas). Dent corn is also used to make moonshine and bourbon. The majority of corn grown in the U.S. is yellow dent corn, though you may also find dent corn in a range of colors.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is what you eat for dinner (or breakfast or lunch -- there's no bad time to eat fresh corn). It has a high sugar content, which is why it's desirable as a fresh corn.
It's picked while immature, before the sugar has a chance to turn into starch, in what is known as the milk stage. Fresh, sweet corn is juicy; the juice, or "milk," is how you get the creaminess of cream corn.
This type of corn comes in white, yellow, and colored varieties, and at the grocery store, you're generally just going to find it labeled as "corn." You may also see super-sweet corn; this variety is sweet corn with the sugar content enhanced for a sweeter flavor.
Flint Corn
Flint corn is also known as Indian corn or calico corn, and it's even harder than dent corn. If you see decorative corn (those fall-colored ears with the husks still on them), it's almost certain to be flint corn.
However, flint corn has a high nutrient value and once the grains are dried, they can be used for any number of foods, including corn meal, corn flour, hominy, polenta, and grits.
Flint corn that has a hard outer shell is what gets turned into popcorn. The kernels are dried to a point where they have a certain moisture content left; then when the dried kernels are heated, the remaining moisture turns into steam and causes the kernel to turn inside out, or pop.
This type of corn is grown mostly in South America in countries like Argentina. In the U.S., you may find it at local stores and farmers markets as popcorn.
Heilroom Corn
There used to be far more variety in corn than there is today, but industrial farming has led to a narrower selection, with only a few types of corn being grown by large farmers.
The end users of corn want a standardized product that's the same every year, so that's what large-scale farmers tend to grow. Heirloom corn refers to corn that's not mass produced and tends to be varieties that have all but disappeared.
Fortunately, there are farmers working to bring back heirloom varieties of corn. It's not always an easy process, though, saving corn. In the case of Jimmy Red, it came down to two ears and a South Carolina farmer.
1. Reduces the risk of Anemia
Corn is rich is in Vitamin B12, folic acid and iron which helps in the production of red blood cells in the body. It helps in reducing the risk of Anaemia, by supplying enough of the nutrients required to produce fresh Red blood cells. According to nutritionists, 1 cup of raw corn contains 125 calories, 27 g of carbohydrates, 4 g of protein, 9 g of sugar, 2 g of fat and 75 mg of iron.
2. Energy Enhancer
If you are an athlete or love sweating it out in the gym, then include corn in your meals more often. Corn contains complex carbohydrate which gets digested at a slower pace, which in turn provides energy for a longer duration of time. One cup of corn yields around 29 grams of carbs which not only provides physical energy but ensures proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
3. Miracle for those underweight
Are you underweight? And finding it hard to gain weight in a healthy way? Don’t worry, corn should do the trick. It can be a healthy addition to your meals if you want to gain a few kgs. Eating junk and bad fats will only land you up with other health issues in the long run. With corn, not only do you get healthy calories, you also get a host of vitamins and good quality fibre.
4. Lowers Blood Sugar & Cholesterol Level
Sweet corn and corn oil increases the blood flow, lowers cholesterol absorption and regulates insulin, making it an excellent choice for diabetics and cholesterol patients. According to Bangalore based Dietitian and Wellness Consultant, Dr. Sheela Krishnaswamy, “It’s rich in carbs, it’s a great source of energy. High in nutrients, corn is extremely rich in Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin C, which helps in fighting diseases and generating new cells. High in fiber, corn also helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the body by reducing the levels of blood sugar in diabetics too.
5. Helpful during Pregnancy
It has a number of benefits during pregnancy for both mother and the baby. Corn is rich in folic acid, and contains zeaxanthin and pathogenic acid which reduces the risk of birth defects in baby. It can protect the baby from muscular degeneration and physiological problems. Due to its high fiber content, it also soothes constipation, which is a very common concern for expecting mothers.
6. Preserve Healthy Skin
Corn contains Vitamin C and lycopene (antioxidants) that increase the production of collagen and prevent UV generated free radicals from damaging the skin. Besides being eaten, its products like corn oil, corn starch can be directly applied on the skin and often used as an ingredient in many cosmetic products. So, go ahead and find interesting ways to add corn to your meals. Add to stir-fry’s or have as a chaat, blend into soups or make delicious corn and Palak kebabs for the youngsters this season. Happy eating!
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