*************************** FACEBOOK BUTTONS
*************************** ROOTS *************************** **************************** ****************************** ***************************** ******************************
******************************* ******************************* Nutrisystem.com

DONATE/ TODAY’S ARTICLES

All Articles Written By DJ are voluntary. Please reward our Author. Thank You.

*****************************
***************************** justmysize.com (Hanesbrands Inc.) ***************************** ********************* ********************* ********************* BarnesandNoble.com Logo - 125x125 ********************* *********************** Coffees of Hawaii's *********************** justmysize.com (Hanesbrands Inc.)
**************** **************** Locations of visitors to this pageGet $10 off $50 at Beauty.com!

Blogroll

  • Today Health Drinks Todays health drinks offer article on various drinks as well informing you of health issues.
  • Todays Health Todays Health blog concerning health articles, todays diets, and general wellness
  • Todays Health Drinks Todays Health Drinks will be the plat form for discussion
*********************************** Shop Taste of Home ********************************* components ******************************** Lindsey Coffee Company
Adagio Teas ******************************** ********************************* Shop giggle Better Basics layette essentials now! ************************************ Cafe Britt *********************************** LinkShare_160x600Skyscpr *********************************** Champs Sports (Footlocker.com, Inc.) ************************************ Shop Boston Proper Accessories
«  
  »

Is Popcorn Healthy For You?

Bookmark this on Hatena Bookmark
Hatena Bookmark - Is Popcorn Healthy For You?
Share on Facebook
Post to Google Buzz
Bookmark this on Yahoo Bookmark
Bookmark this on Livedoor Clip
Share on FriendFeed
Is Popcorn Healthy For You?Todayshealthsite.com

Todays Health Article

American Heart  Month

February 12th, 2011

Today’s snacks are important to young and old. Our favorite past time of watching a great movie, going to the football or baseball game, or having friends over, what would it be without your  favorite snack. Popcorn is one of America’s number one snacks for any event or occasion. But is Popcorn healthy for you?

Popcorn

Popcorn or ‘popping corn’ is a corn (maize) which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Each kernel of popcorn contains a certain amount of moisture and oil. Unlike most other grains, the outer hull of the popcorn kernel is both strong and  does not allow moisture to pass through, and the  inside consists almost entirely of a hard, dense starch.

As the popcorn is heated past the boiling point, the moisture in the kernel  becomes superheated pressurized steam. Now, under these conditions, the starch inside the kernel gelatinizes, softens and becomes pliable.

The pressure continues to increase until the breaking point of the hull is reached: a pressure of about 135 psi and a temperature of 180 °C (356 °F). At this point, the hull ruptures rapidly, causing a sudden drop in pressure inside the kernel and a corresponding rapid expansion of the steam, which expands the starch and proteins of the endosperm into airy foam. As the foam rapidly cools, the starch and protein polymer set into the familiar crispy puff.

History

Popcorn was first discovered thousands of years ago by Native Americans in North America. One of the oldest forms of corn, evidence of popcorn from 360.0 B.C. was found in New Mexico. The English who came to America in the 16th and 17th centuries learned about popcorn from the Native Americans. Through the Great Depression years while other businesses failed, the popcorn business thrived and became a source of income. Also, During World War II sugar rations diminished candy production, causing Americans to eat three times more popcorn than they had before.

 According to the USDA,  most of the corn (maize) used for popcorn, is grown in Nebraska and Indiana, with increasing area in Texas.Todays Popcorn

Nutrition Of Popcorn

Now you can see below, what  popcorn you choose and their calories. From the table, you must have decided whether to avoid butter popcorn, the all time favorite caramel popcorn, or none! After choosing the popcorn, the nutritional value of popcorn is displayed below per 100 grams of popcorn.

The following table shows us the popcorn calories. The calories mentioned below are per 1 cup of popcorn. 

Popcorn (1 cup) Calories
Caramel popcorn with peanuts 230
Caramel popcorn 122.5
Cheese popcorn 58
Oil popped popcorn 55
Buttered popcorn 40
Air popped popcorn 31
Microwave popcorn 25

The kernel is very rich in vitamin B complex, vitamin E, protein, iron and phosphorus. It also contains thiamine, and riboflavin. Popcorn has more phosphorous as compared to potato chips. The protein content in popcorn is more than other cereal grains. Popcorn is also rich in iron, and it is more as compared to peanuts, spinach, or eggs.

Nutrient Value
Iron 2.5 mg
Phosphorus 2.8 mg
Calcium 11 mg
Thiamine (B1) 0.39 mg
Riboflavin 0.12 mg
Niacin 2.2 mg
Protein 12.7 mg

Risks Issued For Popcorn

Popcorn has been included on the list of foods by American Academy of Pediatrics. They recommend not serving Popcorn to children under four, because of the risk of choking. Although “hulless” popcorn has been developed,  that  can offer an alternative for small children. Those people with braces may want to consider this hulless corn as an alternative or  otherwise  you need to avoid popcorn.

Microwaveable popcorn is designed to be cooked along with its various flavoring agents. One of these common artificial-butter flavorants, diacetyl, has been implicated in causing respiratory ailments.

Today Health Comments

Todays popcorn snack, surprisingly, provides nutritional value and is low in calories, depending on what you add to it. Though I have never been a great Popcorn eater, it could be a filler upper for our children vs. the sugary snacks. Those folks looking for a snack and not putting on pounds… this could be the snack. Healthy snacks need to be promoted today.

 

February 13th, 2011 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Todays Health | 1494 comments

1,494 comments to Is Popcorn Healthy For You?

1 … 12 13 14 15
1 … 12 13 14 15

You must be logged in to post a comment.