New Study Released About The Health Benefits of Popcorn

In our home, we try to keep the available snack foods to a minimum. We usually have hard pretzels or some type of reasonably healthy cracker available. We used to have popcorn on hand for movie nights but it was deemed too unhealthy due to the high levels of saturated fat in the microwaveable bag. This of course is because we'd want the popcorn in a quick two minutes and thirty seconds. Other, healthier solutions are available to popcorn lovers out there such as air-popping.

Air-popping reduces saturated fat levels and no butter or oil is involved so it makes popcorn quite a healthy treat. What makes this more interesting is a study¹ performed by Joe Vinson, PhD, from the University of Scranton Pennsylvania. The results his team found regarding popcorn were astonishing: popcorn contains high levels of "polyphenols", a healthy antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables that may aid in lowering the risk for coronary artery disease by reducing inflammation. To put some of this into perspective, this study found popcorn contained 300mg of polyphenols per serving. Compare that the average amount of polyphenols a person consumes from fruits and vegetables which are 255mg per day and 218mg per day respectively.

The good news does not stop there. Vinson also went on to say that popcorn may be the "perfect snack food". It is the only mainstream snack food available that offers 100% unprocessed whole grain. A single serving of popcorn can provide an individual with more than 70% of the recommended daily intake of whole grains.

Just remember though, everything should be taken in moderation. This study assumes you are eating a single serving of popcorn without salt or butter, leading to a mere 93 calories per serving. For a little trick, be sure to have a glass of water with the popcorn to really get a full feeling in your stomach.

Sources:
¹Popcorn: The snack with even higher antioxidants levels than fruits and vegetables - Presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society - Full Article