You Asked: What ’s the Healthiest Way to Make Popcorn?

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what happens when a popcorn kernel pops, well, scientific research has the answer. An un-popped corn kernel is a drop of water surrounding by soft starch and encased in a hull. Heat up that kernel, and the water molecules locked inside will expand until the pressure and heat cause the starch to inflate and explode, bursting the hull and turning the kernel inside-out. What you have left after this popping occurs is a filling, low-calorie, whole-grain food packed with fiber. “Popcorn is an extremely nutritious snack compared to most,” says Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton. Along with fiber, popcorn is a source of polyphenols—a type of plant antioxidant linked to improved cell health. Most fruits and vegetables are mainly water—meaning you have to eat a relatively large portion of them to get meaningful amounts of their healthful nutrients, Vinson says. Popcorn is a much more condensed source of antioxidants. Vinson’s research has shown that a serving of popcorn contains roughly double the amount of polyphenols as a serving of fruit (although fruit may have different or more numerous amounts of other vitamins and healthy phytochemicals). But while popcorn in its natural state is a snack you can feel good about, how you prepare it can lessen its healthful properties. Research has linked the coatings used in microwave popcorn to health issues. “One of the ingredients found ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Diet/Nutrition Source Type: news