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The benefits and harms of boiled corn have been known to mankind for a long time. The beneficial properties of this crop, as well as the relative ease of cultivation, have earned her great popularity. Especially appreciated is the fact that corn cobs do not absorb toxins when treating fields with chemicals and when fertilizing the soil. In addition, the product does not lose its beneficial properties when heated, so boiled corn is as rich in vitamins and minerals as fresh cob.
The chemical composition of boiled corn
The benefits of boiled corn are due to its rich vitamin composition. Corn on the cob contains:
- unsaturated fatty acids;
- ash;
- starch;
- vitamins A, B1, B2, B4 (choline), B5, B6, B9, C, E, PP, K;
- macronutrients (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus);
- trace elements (copper, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese).
Calories in boiled corn on the cob
Corn is a fairly satisfying product, due to its relatively high calorie content. The energy value of 100 g of boiled corn is 96 kcal.
The calorie content of 1 cob of boiled corn varies from 150 to 250 kcal, depending on its size. The calorie content of boiled cobs in combination with salt increases to 350-450 kcal.
Benefits of boiled corn on the cob
Useful properties of corn cobs are preserved even after heat treatment. The reason for this is the dense shell of the grains – they provide the seeds with good protection and fully preserve their benefits.
Moderate consumption of boiled corn in food has the following effects on human health:
- lowers blood cholesterol levels;
- normalizes metabolic processes, which contributes to better weight control – the product is useful for losing weight;
- tones the nervous system;
- improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair;
- stimulates the brain, improves memory;
- prevents the formation of malignant tumors;
- promotes the elimination of toxins from the body;
- helps with constipation;
- normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system by strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
- weakens the manifestations of hepatitis and gallstone disease;
- soothes irritation of the gastric mucosa;
- improves the digestive tract;
- reduces the risk of stroke;
- helps relieve stress and symptoms of insomnia, chronic fatigue and depressive conditions;
- strengthens the immune system;
- stops putrefactive processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
- helps with diarrhea;
- lowers blood pressure;
- normalizes the functioning of the genitourinary system in women and restores the regularity of the menstrual cycle, relieves the symptoms of menopause;
- increases potency in men.
The benefits of boiled corn cobs in combination with salt are reduced by increasing the calorie content of the product.
Is boiled corn good for kids?
Boiled corn on the cob can be given to young children from the age of two, if before that there were no problems with eating corn porridge. In order to avoid possible harm to health due to poor absorption of cooked corn kernels, it is necessary to explain to the child that they need to be chewed thoroughly and not swallowed whole. It is also better to consult with a specialist first.
Boiled corn for pregnant women
The benefits of boiled corn on the cob for pregnant women is that they:
- help with nausea;
- remove heaviness in the abdomen;
- relieve the symptoms of toxicosis;
- reduce the overall fatigue of the body;
- normalize the work of the digestive tract;
- improve metabolic processes in the body;
- relieve puffiness;
- help with constipation;
- promote the removal of toxins from the body;
- lower blood cholesterol levels.
It is not recommended to abuse this product. The daily rate of boiled corn is 1-2 cobs.
Is it possible to boiled corn while breastfeeding
When breastfeeding, it is not forbidden to eat boiled corn. On the contrary, the vitamins and minerals contained in the cobs help a woman recover after childbirth. In addition, a high concentration of certain substances contributes to a better functioning of the child’s digestive system.
Nevertheless, there are several recommendations for this period. During the first 2 months of a child’s life, boiled corn cobs should be excluded from the diet, as the baby is not able to absorb a number of useful substances contained in corn grains. During this period, eating the product will only be harmful, however, already at 3-4 months of the baby’s life, the mother can gradually return boiled corn to her diet.
When re-introducing the product into the diet, it is recommended to observe how the child reacts to a change in the composition of breast milk. If no visible reactions followed, then rejection did not occur. If the baby has colic, stop eating boiled cobs.
Features of eating boiled corn
Eating boiled cobs does not imply any strict rules or restrictions. Some recommendations are important only in the presence of problems in the gastrointestinal tract, high blood sugar and stool disorders.
With diabetes mellitus
In diabetes, excessive consumption of boiled corn kernels can cause serious harm to health, however, if the daily allowance is observed, they will only benefit diabetics. The beneficial substances contained in the product prevent the development of harmful processes in the eyes, kidneys and feet of diabetics.
In order to reduce the possible harm from boiled cobs, while revealing their beneficial properties as much as possible, grains are recommended to be consumed in the form of porridge with a low oil content. Also, you can not mix them with cottage cheese. Increase the benefits of the product dishes with vegetables.
For constipation
For constipation, boiled corn grains are necessarily mixed with a large amount of butter. Otherwise, the use of the product in this case does not require any additional measures.
For gastritis and pancreatitis
If the mucous membranes of the stomach are irritated, it is better not to eat boiled corn cobs in their pure form. It is better for people with gastritis and pancreatitis to take corn in the form of a homogeneous mass – porridge of medium density. During the preparation of porridge, the ratio of corn grits and water should be 1:4. It is important to stir the cereal regularly. The cooking time is about half an hour. It is usually boiled in water. Butter and a small amount of milk are added to the finished porridge.
How to cook corn properly
Cooking boiled corn is quite simple, however, it takes a lot of time. Due to the fact that the grains on the cob are surrounded by a dense shell, they can take from 4 to 6 hours to boil. Even after such processing, corn is recommended to be chewed thoroughly for better absorption.
Best of all, the beneficial properties of the product can be preserved if the cobs are steamed. Boiling water to a small extent, but still takes some of the nutrients. This does not happen when steaming corn. In addition, this way the cobs are juicier and much sweeter. In general, for taste, the product is often lubricated with butter. You can also lightly sprinkle the cobs with salt.
For more information on how to properly boil corn in order to preserve its beneficial properties, you can learn from the video below:
Harm of boiled corn and contraindications
Despite the obvious benefits of corn for human health, there are a number of contraindications that can not only nullify the beneficial properties of the product, but also cause serious harm to the body. Boiled corn is contraindicated in the following cases:
- with increased blood clotting;
- with individual intolerance;
- with a tendency to thrombophlebitis;
- with excess weight;
- with exacerbation of ulcers of the duodenum and stomach.
In addition, when eating boiled corn cobs, measure is important. If you abuse this product, the body will react with flatulence, bloating and stool disorders. Nursing mothers should be especially attentive to the recommended intake doses. The fact is that a glut of substances contained in boiled corn is fraught with the occurrence of colic in a child.
How to store boiled corn
The benefits of corn for the body are obvious, however, in order for its beneficial properties not to be harmful, it is necessary not only to follow the rules for cooking cobs, but also to take into account the peculiarities of storing the product.
Boiled corn cobs should not be kept in the refrigerator for too long – after heat treatment, the cob gradually begins to lose its beneficial properties after 2-3 days.
In order to be able to use the product throughout the year, it is better to freeze the cobs. Before this, the corn is boiled to a state of partial readiness.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of boiled corn have been known to mankind for many centuries, although this plant has become widespread in the Old World relatively recently. Moderate consumption of this crop benefits a woman’s health during pregnancy and after childbirth, especially during breastfeeding, when the mother’s body is weakened. Also, the beneficial properties of the product are revealed for constipation and gastritis.