Maize is popularly known as corn or bhutta, widely found all over the India during summer season (sweet corn) and rainy season (common corn). Corns having high value of sugar are called as sweet corn (used by human) however common corns are generally used for animal feed. It was first originated in the American hills and spread throughout the world to be cultivated.
Bhutta or maize come under the category of whole grain food having high amount of dietary fibers, low calorie, low fat and good amount of all the essential nutrients. Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), vitamins and amino acids found in it help in nourishing the body and preventing from various diseases like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart ailments, digestive ailments, Alzheimer’s disease, birth defects in babies and so many. Some of its beneficial aspects are described below:
Benefits of Corn / Maize / Bhutta
Benefits of Corn for Digestive System
- Its high availability of insoluble dietary fibers makes it able to nourish the lower digestive tract means large intestine as well as enhances the population of friendly bacteria.
- It lowers the risk of colon cancer by organizing the functioning of intestinal cells if eaten on regular basis.
- Insoluble dietary fibers regularize the food digestion and prevents from constipation and hemorrhoids by enhancing the absorption of water in large intestine.
- It normalizes the bowel movements, intestinal peristaltic motion by stimulating the proper production of gastric juice and bile thus reduces the risk of irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea.
Antioxidant Benefits of Corn
- It has strong antioxidant property as it contains more than one phytonutrients such as anthocyanins, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, ferulic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid ad etc.
- Phytonutrients found in it decreases the risk of cardio vascular problems.
- It helps in inhibiting the angiotensin-I converting enzyme thus lower down the risk of hypertension.
Benefits of Corn for Diabetes
- Soluble and insoluble dietary fibers found in it helps in stabilizing the sugar level in the blood vessels by managing the food passage through the digestive tract.
- High protein content of it manages the digestion of food and sugar absorption into blood stream through the digestive tract thus prevents from sudden rise or down of blood sugar level.
- Regular consumption of corn helps in controlling the blood sugar level among people with both type-1 and type-2 diabetes.
- It also manages the secretion of insulin hormone in order to regularize the blood sugar level up to the normal level.
Benefits of Corn for Heart
- Soluble dietary fibers found in it help to reduce the bad blood cholesterol level which may lower the risk of heart diseases.
- It antioxidant nature prevents arteries from getting hard thus reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Benefits of Corn / Maize for Weight Loss
It is a fiber rich whole grain food which makes stomach feel full for longer period of time and manage appetite thus assists in the weight management strategy. However, it is also good to increase weight among underweight people because of its richness in carbohydrates.
Benefits of Corn / Maize for Skin
- It has lots of cosmetic benefits for skin because of it antioxidant and phytonutrients availability. It is used in many cosmetic products manufacturing for the topical application to soothe skin problems like rashes, irritation and pimples.
- It contains good level of vitamins C and B which is very essential for the healthy skin.
- It prevents skin damage from the free radicals produced by the ultraviolet rays as well as enhances the production of collagen to make smooth skin.
Benefits of Corn / Maize Hair
- It contains lycopene and vitamin C in the form of potential antioxidant thus regular consumption of the corn helps in strengthening the hair follicles.
- It also assists in the collagen production which is necessary for the hair growth and maintenance.
- Corn oil is also very beneficial for the hair strength and strongness. It is a rich source of the vitamin E which helps in hydrating and nourishing the hair follicles and prevents from the premature hair graying and ageing.
- It prevents from the scalp dryness and hair loss by reducing hair damage due to the free radicals.
- Vitamin K found in it helps in better calcium absorption which reduces hair loss.
- Applying warm corn oil to the hair scalp makes hair soft and silky as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in it reduces inflammation thus keeps scalp dryness free and smooth.
Benefits of Corn / Maize in Pregnancy
- Its richness in the vitamin B9 or folates supports the better growth and development of the cardiovascular system in the babies and reduces the risk of variety of birth defects like neural tube defects and etc.
- It contains rich amount of B group vitamins which enhances the conversion of carbohydrate into instant energy thus helps pregnant women by instantly energizing them.
- It prevents from the heart disorders, muscles spasm and nervous system ailments during pregnancy.
- It contains vitamin B12 and folic acid which enhances the blood hemoglobin count and prevents from the iron deficiency anemia.
Other Health Benefits of Corn / Maize
- It is a food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin phytonutrients which plays great role in maintaining the health of eyes and reduces the risk of age related chronic eye diseases (macular degeneration).
- It slows down the development of cataracts and other eye disorders due to the availability of powerful antioxidants.
- Vitamin A found in it slows down the age related bone loss process and eye disorders. It reduces the risk of early ageing, inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, cancer) and etc.
- It contains phosphorous mineral which plays essential role in regulating the normal growth and development of bone.
- It helps in strengthening connective tissues, bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilages as it is the rich source of trace minerals like manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and calcium.
- It contains a special substance called thymine which actively involves in the enzymatic reactions, energy production and brain cells functioning. It also helps in synthesizing acetylcholine neurotransmitter for the memory and prevents from the Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits of Corn/Maize Oil
- Corn oil protects the heart from many problems because of its anti-atherogenic effect. It reduces the cholesterol level and maintains the health of cardiovascular system.
- It is the rich source of fatty acid like omega-3 fatty acid which prevents arteries from the damaging bad cholesterol.
- It contains linoleic acid which makes skin smooth and bright if applied topically.
Benefits of Yellow Corn/Maize
Yellow corn has high concentration of carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin which acts as antioxidants. It prevents from the free radicals and other age related health problems. Yellow corn especially contains high amount of beta-carotene which maintains good eye vision and skin health.
Benefits of Blue Corn/Maize
Blue corn contains anthocyanins which provide it purple color and acts as strong antioxidant compound. It is also very effective in preventing from the serious health disorders.
Benefits of Corn/Maize Flour
- It is the richest source dietary fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids and etc which are required for the good health.
- It is easily available in the market at cheap price so everyone can be benefited of it.
- It is very healthy diet fully capable to fulfill the needs of malnourished person.
Benefits of Maize/Corn Flakes with Milk
Corn flakes with milk and some sweetener is very healthy and nutritious diet especially for the growing children to get normal growth and development.
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