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Top Vegetable for Anti-AgingBy Barbara Minton | June 9, 2011
See more articles from this author .jpg) Corn has been downplayed and even ridiculed as being a superfluous food that has no nutritional benefit. But nothing could be further from the truth. Maize was the name native Americans gave to corn, and they lived long, healthy lives with maize as the backbone of their diets. Now scientists have discovered the reasons that made this possible - corn is a nutritional powerhouse.Researchers at Cornell University have recently shown that corn and other whole grains contain many powerful phytonutrients not previously discovered. Previous researchers had been assessing antioxidant power by measuring only the free form of these substances. The Cornell team looked at the bound forms of phytonutrients released during digestion. What they found was stunning. Phenolics are a class of phytonutrients that are powerful antioxidants. They are what have allowed fruits and vegetables to gain heroic status in the fight against disease. Phenolics include quercetin, curcumin, ellagatainnins, catechins and many others you can read about on this site. The Cornell team found that despite the differences between the free and bound phenolics in fruits and vegetables compared to those in corn and other grains, the total antioxidant activity in all these foods is high. They measured the antioxidant activity of various vegetables and fruits and rated them on an ascending scale. Broccoli rated 80 and spinach 81. Apple rated 98, and
What other health benefits does corn offer? Cardiovascular Health - The delicious and versatile kernel of corn is a rich source of B vitamins including folate, Vitamin C, phosphorus and manganese. Each of these nutrients plays a role in cardiovascular health. Folate helps lower levels of homocysteine that can directly damage blood vessels and bring on heart attack, stroke or peripheral vascular disease. It has been estimated that if all the people consumed 100% of the daily value of folate, the number of heart attacks in America each year would decline by 10%. Lung Health - Corn is rich in the carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin that may significantly lower the risk of developing lung cancer. In one study, those eating the most crytopoxanthin rich foods showed a 27% reduction in lung cancer risk. In smokers this was associated with a 37% lower risk. Brain Health - Thiamine, one of the B vitamins found in corn, is essential to energy production and critical for cognitive function. It is involved in the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory. A lack of acetylcholine contributes to age-related mental decline and Alzheimer's. Pantothenic acid, another B vitamin found in corn, is what helps you keep cool under stress by boosting the adrenal glands. Getting the best from corn The best corn is grown at home, where you can go out and pick an ear right off the plant, peel back the husks and eat it while standing in the sunshine. If that is not an option, the next best is fresh, locally grown corn sold at a roadside stand. Be sure the corn is kept in the shade though, because heat rapidly converts the sugar in corn to starch and degrades its flavor. In the grocery store, look for corn with husks that are green, tight fitting and not dried out. Kernels should be plump and tightly arranged. Test for juiciness with your fingernail. A fresh kernel will spill out a milky substance. Corn can be prepared in a variety of ways. If you are boiling or steaming corn, do not add salt until it is done so kernels stay tender. To broil or grill, soak the corn first in the husk. Then cook with or without husk. Make a delicious and visually appealing summer salad with cooked corn kernels combined with finely chopped tomatoes, green pepper, quinoa, chopped parsley and a hint of mint or rosemary. Dress with olive oil and your favorite vinegar, and add black beans if your like. Add corn kernels to your favorite bean recipe or make black bean and corn salsa with fresh cilantro and garlic. The sad truth A large percentage of the conventionally grown corn in the U.S. comes from genetically modified seeds. This means the only way you can be really sure you are not eating genetically modified corn is to grow it yourself or have a relationship with someone who does, or buy organic corn and corn products. USDA regulations prohibit the use of genetically modified seeds for growing foods to be labeled as organic. For more information: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/health-benefits-of-corn.html http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 About The Author: Barbara is a school psychologist, a published author in the area of personal finance, a breast cancer survivor using "alternative" treatments, a born existentialist, and a student of nature and all things natural.
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