Is sweet corn good for you?

Humans have eaten corn for at least 10,000 years¹ . The cereal was such a staple of the Mexican diet that the Aztec goddess of corn and nourishment, Chicomecóatl, was one of their most important deities². Sweet corn was introduced to Europe after the voyage of Christopher Colombus and quickly gained popularity throughout the world³. However, this delicious cereal – which gave the world Mexico’s tortilla and Italy’s polenta – has a dubious reputation at the minute. Although corn is packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, it can also cause blood sugar spikes⁴.

In this article, we’ll explain what corn is, and any sweet corn benefits for health. Then, we’ll explain corn’s nutritional value and how you can cook with it.

What is corn?

Corn is both a grain and a fruit. Because corn husks are seeds which blossom from the flower of the corn plant, it’s a fruit⁵. Corn is also a grain because it’s from the family of cereal grasses, which also includes wheat, rice, and oats⁶.

Health benefits of sweetcorn

This starchy grain has many benefits for health and wellness. Here’s how corn consumption can support you in a healthy lifestyle:

Encourage eye health

Corn is full of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found within the human eye⁷. Evidence suggests that eating these can lower the chance of macular degeneration. This age-related disease causes sight loss⁸. As a result, eating corn may promote eye health.

Promote bowel health

Corn is incredibly rich in fibre, and fibre consumption is strongly linked to a healthy digestive system⁹.

Nutritional value of corn

An average, 77g ear of corn contains¹⁰:

• 8% of your daily vitamin B3
• 12% of your daily pantothenic acid
• 8% of your daily phosphorous
• 6% of your daily vitamin B6

How to cook corn

Ears of corn are easy to cook with, as they’re so versatile; corn can be steamed, boiled, baked, or grilled, on their own, or flavoured with butter and spices. They make a great side dish at a barbecue.

Maize dough can be transformed into a corn tortilla to complement a Mexican dinner and provides more fibre, nutrients, and less fat than a tortilla made with flour. Make polenta fries from maize dough for a healthy alternative to chips that are lovely served with fish and a low-fat tartare sauce.

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Last Updated: 25th January 2021