Is corn good for you

Is corn good for you? A registered dietitian sets the facts straight

by Emily Laurence

 wellandgood.com


For a vegetable, corn sure does get the side eye from healthy eaters a lot. Ketogenic dieters steer clear of it because it has carbs. Isn’t pretty much all corn genetically modified? And Is corn good for you?

That’s why registered dietitian Kim Melton, RD, is here to set the record straight. She firmly believes corn absolutely has a place in a healthy diet, especially right now when it’s in season and readily available at the farmers’ market. “Corn is part of the grass family, is a whole grain and can be eaten as polenta, popcorn, corn on the cob, or cornmeal,” Melton says. The most popular variety is sweet corn (it’s the yellow kind you’ll most likely find at the grocery store) but Melton says there are other varieties including red, orange, blue, and purple.  Keep reading for everything you need to know.

Is corn good for you? Here’s what its nutrition facts have to say

Many believe corn is high in sugar—especially sweet corn—and therefore unhealthy, but Melton says this isn’t the case. “Although corn is high in sugar, it does not cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar as some believe,” she says. “It is actually a low to medium glycemic index food and can be a part of a healthy diet when eaten in reasonable portions.” In general, one medium ear of corn has 6 grams of sugar. (BTW, this goes for sweet corn, too.)

Besides not spiking blood sugar, Melton says corn is full of good-for-you nutrients, too. “In about half a cup of corn, you get four grams of protein [out of a recommended 50 to 75 grams a day], two grams of unsaturated fat, and 2.4 grams of fiber [out of the recommended 25 grams a day],” she says. The numbers may seem small, but they’re still a nice drop in the bucket—especially if you’re incorporating corn into other nutrient-dense meals like salads, Southwestern-style protein bowls, or quinoa.

“Corn also has manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, folate, potassium and some B vitamins,” Melton adds. Of these, it offers the most potassium, with a medium ear containing 90 milligrams (just over 3 percent of your recommended daily intake.) Because the corn has potassium and carbs, it makes for a great—and totally underrated—post-workout recovery snack.

Speaking of carbs, it’s another reason why many avoid corn, but Melton again says this is unnecessary. On average, a medium ear of corn has 19 grams of carbohydrates, and these whole grain carbs play an important role in providing energy and even boosting happiness.

Wait, but what about corn’s GMO problem?

In Melton’s opinion, the fear over GMOs is unfounded (in corn and otherwise). “There is no need to avoid GMO corn,” she says. “The National Academy of Sciences has concluded that GMOs are safe to eat and the same conclusion has been reached many large scientific organizations. We have had GMOs in our food system for over 20 years and there has never been any negative health issues associated with them.” Indeed, a 2018 study in Europe looked at 20 years of research on GMO corn and concluded that GMO corn was likely safe because of the higher quality of grain compared and the “reduction in human exposure to mycotoxins,” which are harmful, naturally-occurring chemicals created by fungus and mold in certain foods. (Insects often carry fungus or facilitate fungal growth; because the GMO corn was insect-resistant, the study found it had less insect damage, which was associated with lower levels of mycotoxins.)

Of course, this is a somewhat controversial stance in the wellness world. Again, while lots of scientific research backs up the safety of GMO products, certain other experts argue that it’s still too soon to know any potential long-term effects of GMO consumption. (Some believe that they could be triggering food sensitivities and gut issues, for example.) If GMOs in corn are something that concerns you, look for a Certified Organic food label when purchasing corn, and if you’re buying it at the farmers’ market, use this opportunity to talk to the farmers about how it’s grown.

The short version: Despite some of the not-so-great rumors about corn out there, like all vegetables, corn is good for you and can play a role in a healthy diet. So go ahead and throw some on the grill. ‘Tis the season!

Is corn good for you? Like anything healthy food-wise… Of course, in moderation.

If you’re trying to eat more vegetables, here are some easy ways according to registered dietitians. Plus, try this sauce on top of your corn.

This information does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Weight loss results may vary. Results can vary due to activity levels, calories consumed, proper supplement use and water consumption. These statements have not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration.