Corn benefits

Corn or maize is one of the most popular cereals in the world and forms the staple food in many countries. The kernels of corn are what hold the majority of corn’s nutrients, and are the most commonly consumed parts of the vegetable.

Zea mays, the botanical name for corn comes from Greek, meaning to live. Mays comes from Spanish, the same word as a term in a native Mexican language meaning "mother," or "mother of life", reflecting the central importance of corn in the lives of early Americans. There are many varieties of Corn, including some that have been produced using biotechnology. The varieties may also be called genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Corn and health benefits

Corn not only provides the necessary calories for healthy, daily metabolism, but is also a rich source of vitamins A, B, E and many minerals. Its high fiber content ensures that it plays a significant role in the prevention of digestive ailments like constipation and hemorrhoids as well as colorectal cancer. The antioxidants present in corn also act as anti-carcinogenic agents and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Corn and folk medicine

Cornsilk has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine, is used to treat urinary conditions in countries including the United Sates, China, Haiti, Turkey, and Trinidad. Furthermore, in China, cornsilk as a component in an herbal formula is used to treat diabetes. Corn silk tea is used as a remedy for heart trouble, jaundice, malaria, and obesity. Cornsilk is rich in vitamin K, making it useful in controlling bleeding during childbirth. Cornsilk has also been used to treat gonorrhea and the prostate moreover as a remedy for edema. Cornmeal is also used in home herbalism as a binder for poultices. Since cornsilk is used as a kidney remedy and in the regulation of fluids, the herb is believed to be helpful in treating high blood pressure and water retention.

Corn and dietary

Corn is a low-fat complex carbohydrate that deserves a regular place on any healthy table. Unfortunately, as with many other naturally low-fat foods, the tendency is to smother corn-on-the-cob with butter. But these high-fiber, fat-fighting kernels of goodness are better served with seasoning. Because corn is hearty and satisfying, it can curb your appetite.
At 86 calories per 100 g, sugar corn kernels are moderately high in calories on comparison to other vegetables. While it is higher in calories and carbohydrates than some other types of vegetables, corn is not bad for your diet because it serves up healthy fiber and many other vital nutrients. Once you eat cornmeal choose the whole grain formulas and if you use as a sweetener just dose in a proper amount.

Corn and presence Perhaps no other food has been more closely identified with the Americas than corn. Both the Mayan and the Olmec civilizations that date back to 2000-1500 BC. All types of corn come from the same genus and species of plant, Zea mays. However, within this genus and species, there are well over 100 subspecies and varieties. Many different subspecies are most familiar to consumers in terms of color. White, yellow, pink, red, blue, purple, and black corn are all varieties of Zea mays. Corn grows quickly under sunny, fertile, and well-drained soil supplanted with good moisture conditions to about 7-10 feet in height. Each plant bears about 2-6, long husked "ears" filled with rows of tooth-like seeds arranged around a central woody core named cob.

Corn and allergy, safety concerns

Allergic reactions to sweet corns is rare. It is free of gluten and can be a safe food alternative in celiac disese patients. Persons with high blood sugar levels, however, should limit sweet corn consumtion in their diet since it carries lots of simple sugars. If a person decides to collect fresh cornsilk, attention should be paid to whether the plants were sprayed with pesticides. Some people are sensitive to corn ingested derivatives (xanthan gum, citric acid) and trace contamination, but not inhalant exposure so far. Contact allergies are also considerable.

Corn and foods The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and the mature seed can be dried and used whole or ground into flour. Corn Oil, obtained from the seed, is an all-purpose oil that is frequently used for cooking and as a food such as in salad dressings. Sweet corn is a special maize variety in which its tender, delicious seeds eaten as a vegetable. In contrast to traditional field corn, sugar corn varieties are harvested when their corn-ears just reached milk stage. Its seeds or cobs either used immediately or frozen since sugar content in them quickly converted into starch.

Baby corns are very young, miniature ears harvested when their kernels are still at incipient stage. Its central core is sweet and tender enough to be eaten raw. Corn food products not only products contain corn. Corn oil used in cream, sweeteners, baking powders, Vitamins, beverage and industrial alcohol contain corn components. Corn husks, while not edible themselves typically used to wrap tamales, the delicious, traditional Mexican dish, corn husks are also a great grilling partner. Wrap fish, meat and/or veggies prior to grilling for a natural alternative to foil that will keep you grill clean and maintain the savory flavors of all your foods.

Corn and cosmetics

Many ingredients made from the corn plant, Zea mays may be used in cosmetics and personal care products. The most common corn-derived ingredients used in cosmetics include Corn Oil and Hydrolyzed Corn Starch. Many drugs and cosmetics are containing these ingredients such as Aspirin, Body lotion, Lipstick, Facial makeup, Soaps and Cleansers, Toothpaste and primary ingredient in commercial Baby Powders.

Corn and decoration Mexico and Central America (commonly called Mesoamerica) had not only adopted maize as a staple food in the diet but had also developed a reverence for maize that was expressed in everyday rituals, religious ceremonies, and in the arts during centuries. Many of corn husk products available and you can prepare some of them easily, like handmade paper, dolls, hats, bags, lampshades, flowers and refrigerator magnets. images via Authentica Classics , BHG.com , Pinterest