Written by … Popcorn and cereals – the new superfoods? Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant thought to remove free radicals from the body. Popcorn is a whole grain, which is a group of foods that help boost heart health. Some brands also include a lot of sugar. The research claims that popcorn and wholegrain breakfast cereals contain similar levels of antioxidants as fruit and vegetables. Microwave popcorn may also contain additives, and the bags can have contaminants. The researchers claim that wholegrains provide a significant 10% of a person’s daily polyphenol intake in the average US diet and that about two-thirds (66%) of these wholegrains are from cereals, pasta, crackers and salty snacks. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Unlike refined grains that manufacturers have processed to remove the bran and germ, whole grains include the entire grain seed, also called the kernel. Popcorn is a delicious, healthy snack that many people love to enjoy! COVID-19: Is it time for male leaders to ‘lean out’? Popcorn contains vitamins and minerals and is high in fiber. There is no general comparison of the other content of these foods. These added extras tend to have little nutritional value. Oral presentation ACS conference 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 18 2009. Real Popcorn is Super Healthy Popcorn is high in several important nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenol antioxidants. It is possible that the polyphenol content of food is one of the factors determining antioxidant activity. But many commercial popcorns are so loaded with saturated or (worse) trans fat that they make chips and pretzels look like broccoli. The study received internal funding from the University of Scranton. YES – popcorn is a healthy snack. main content Live Healthy & Happy However, between the presentation of this study at a conference and its portrayal in the media, the relevance of these findings to human health has been exaggerated. The Claim: Popcorn is a healthy snack because it’s a whole grain. As a side effect, Lexapro may cause some people to gain…, © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. But there's a lot to our favorite snack that people don't know: 1. Eating too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and lead to other health complications. The research claims that popcorn and wholegrain breakfast cereals contain similar levels of antioxidants as fruit and vegetables. Popcorn can be healthful when manufacturers or individuals prepare it the best way. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a typical 3-cup or 24-gram (g) serving of air-popped popcorn contains 3.5 g of fiber. It’s low in fat and high in fibre, making it a good snack option in comparison to crisps. Excess fat under the chin can be caused by age, weight, and genetics. Yes, popcorn is healthy because it is a whole grain and high-fiber whole grains which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and other health problems. "Aside from the benefits of being inexpensive and easy to prepare, popcorn offers a large volume for few calories," explains Summer Yule, MS, RDN. 2. They found that “wholegrain cold cereals have significantly more [polyphenol] antioxidants than processed grain types.” Wheat has more than corn, which has more than oats or rice. It appears to have answered the question it set out to address, which is what the polyphenol content of some foods is. November 1, 2018. If someone wants to add oil, they can use a version that contains healthful polyunsaturated fats, such as avocado oil. For this reason, moderate consumption of whole-grain corn, such as popcorn or sweet corn, can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Walmart’s Great Value Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn is the perfect treat to go with your Grinch/Elf/A Christmas Story at-home mini movie marathon. Air-popped, unsweetened, unsalted popcorn contains around 78 percent carbohydrates. 48 (12.1 ¢/oz) This delicious snack is perfectly popped to tender perfection and lightly dusted with sea salt. It has the following nutritional benefits: Air-popped popcorn with no oil provides the best health benefits. These include healthful eating habits, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories consumed with those that the body burns. As gourmet popcorn creators, Popcorn for the People is no different! Forget about baking sweet holiday treats. Popcorn is a whole grain, which refers to a group of seeds that come from crops that include barley, millet, oats, rice, and wheat. The healthful properties of popcorn vary, depending on the type: Air-popped, unsalted, and unsweetened is the most healthful type of popcorn and, per serving, it contains: A serving of oil-popped, unsalted, and unsweetened home-made popcorn contains: In contrast, a serving of caramel-coated peanut popcorn contains: Fat and sugar in caramel popcorn can vary significantly, depending on the brand. Among the salty snacks, popcorn has the most antioxidants per gram. Popcorn could be healthier than fruits and vegetables Yep, you read that right. Popcorn's actually a whole grain, making it full of fiber, which—friendly reminder!—is heart-healthy and key for keeping all systems a go (). Other examples of food made of whole grains include brown rice, wholemeal bread, and oatmeal. Premade popcorn often contains a high level of salt, or sodium. It is best for those with diabetes to work with their healthcare team to determine the right amount for them. The researchers measured the total polyphenol concentration in commercial hot and cold breakfast cereals and snacks. Popcorn can be healthful when manufacturers or individuals prepare it the best way. It decreases th… Popcorn can grow to be 30 times its original size when it pops. As a whole grain, popcorn is high in fiber, which is good for digestive health and promoting regular bowel movements. Personalized health review for Great Value Popcorn, Light Butter: 110 calories, nutrition grade (C plus), problematic ingredients, and more. The bottom line: Popcorn is a pretty damn healthy snack, as long as you're keeping it plain or adding just a hint of flavor. However, many popcorn brands in supermarkets and movie theaters contain lots of added butter, sugar, and salt. This means that when someone eats it as part of a balanced diet, popcorn can help them lose weight. This means that a reasonable portion of salted or sweetened popcorn as an occasional treat will not do any harm. Learn more about daily fiber recommendations here. There are so many types to choose from: kettle corn, movie popcorn, microwave, air-popped and pre-popped, flavored varieties. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are an essential part of a healthful diet. Not only that, but it … Learn the good & bad for 250,000+ products. Popcorn and cereals as rich in antioxidants as fruit and vegetables. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Personalized health review for Great Value Popcorn Chicken: 220 calories, nutrition grade (C plus), problematic ingredients, and more. The researchers then used standardised tests to measure the levels of polyphenols. The body needs protein for many processes, from blood clotting and fluid balance to immune response and vision. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Learn more about daily fiber recommendations here. Calories in Great Value Popcorn based on the calories, fat, protein, carbs and other nutrition information submitted for Great Value Popcorn. The health benefits discussed in this article refer to air-popped, oil-free popcorn specifically. The lead scientist is quoted as saying that raisin bran has the highest amount of antioxidants per serving, “primarily due to the raisins”, and that porridge oats have “disappointingly low levels”. Healthful eating should be about balancing, rather than restricting which foods people eat. However, this is a preliminary report that has not yet been published and it is probably too soon to conclude that popcorn can boost health or protect from cancer. However, that is because a majority of us use generous amounts of salt, butter, or other toppings on popcorn that vastly reduce its health benefits. This means that whole grains contain dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial fats. However, it is not the only antioxidant, and more research will be needed to determine which antioxidant (if there is one) could be responsible for the healthy effect of wholegrain food. It was presented at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in August. It said that the nutritional value of these foods was previously attributed to their high fibre content, but research now suggests that the benefit of grain-based foods comes from “the significant presence of antioxidants known as polyphenols”. Popped corn is just a vegetable turned into a sometimes-indulgent snack. This nutrient offers numerous health benefits: Fiber is beneficial for the body and whole grains possess fiber that could eliminate excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and arteries by lowering the overall level of cholesterol and also reducing the risk of harmful cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis and strokes. On its own, without any added sugar or salt, popcorn makes a nutritious, healthful snack. (Some great toppings include nutritional yeast, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.) But don’t go all-in on that full bag of movie theater popcorn. The answer to this question: it depends. Learn the good & bad for 250,000+ products. Popcorn also contains protein, with a typical serving containing just over 3 g of the 50 g daily value. According to a 2019 analysis in the journal Antioxidants, popcorn is loaded with polyphenols, compounds found in plants that act as antioxidants and reduce inflammation. However, added butter, sugar, and salt can make popcorn an unhealthful snack. This research has not been published, so it is not possible to say how well it was conducted. The recommended daily intake for the average person in the U.S. is more than 25 g a day, and most people do not reach these levels. It often contains a lot of salt, the flavorings are artificial and people tend to eat too much because of the large portion size of most bags. Added butter, sugar, and salt can make popcorn an unhealthful snack. To make fresh, air-popped popcorn at home, a person will need: Use the following recipe to air-pop the popcorn kernels: People can buy unpopped popcorn kernels from supermarkets or online stores. Total polyphenol antioxidants in whole grain cereals and snacks: Surprising sources of antioxidants in the US diet. “Popcorn and breakfast cereals… may contain ‘surprisingly large’ servings of healthy antioxidants,” The Guardian reported. There are 140 calories in 1 oz (1 oz) of Great Value (Walmart) Popcorn. Close menu. The healthiest way to eat popcorn is Air-popped popcorn. The healthiest type of popcorn is air-popped, which only has 30 calories. When I talk about the benefits of popcorn eating, I’m talking about air-popped popcorn, not the fatty, butter-drenched stuff you get at the movies. Popcorn is a type of corn kernel that, when people heat it, it pops to become light and fluffy. For example, the fibre content is mentioned but not analysed. It does contain some vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and some B vitamins but not in large quantities, and it is traditionally low in calories, with a 30g portion providing just 122 calories. All rights reserved. Popcorn is a … Avoid butter — or use it sparingly Free radicals are chemicals that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues in the body. Many people will be more used to eating popcorn at the cinema with toppings or flavorings. Visit CalorieKing to see calorie count and nutrient data for all portion sizes. This study was conducted by Dr Joe Vinson, a chemist, and colleagues from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. Daily and per meal carbohydrate goals vary, according to many factors. These additions can be bad for a person’s health. Checking the labels of foods before buying them and preparing ingredients at home can help people make more healthful dietary choices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way for most people to lose weight is by making healthful lifestyle changes. It is the perfect healthy snack because it’s low in calories and fat, as well as high in fiber and vitamins. Popcorn can either be good or bad for a person’s health, depending on what goes into making it. Foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, and added sugars, are also good choices. By itself, air-popped popcorn is nutritious, plus it's filled with fiber and … Eating foods high in sugars and fats can lead to weight gain. Other health benefits of popcorn are discussed below. The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic — December 4, Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, 3.5 tablespoons, or 58 g, of popcorn kernels, add the popcorn kernels and replace the lid, listen out for the kernels popping, which should take 1 or 2 minutes, keep going until there are at least 3 seconds between pops, remove from the heat, sprinkle with salt, and serve. The salt and sugar content of most commercial popcorn should also be considered before consuming large quantities of it. Below, we discuss the beneficial nutrition qualities that popcorn, prepared the right way, can provide. They did this by mixing the food with an alkali that released the polyphenols that were bound to the fibres in the food. And some companies pour on so much caramel, chocolate, or other coatings that they’ve turned their popcorn into candy. Fibre used to be commonly believed to be the active ingredient for these benefits but, recently, polyphenol antioxidants have been thought to be more important. People with diabetes have trouble making enough or being sensitive enough to insulin, a hormone which controls the levels of sugar in the blood. Popcorn can be a healthy snack, but the nutritional quality varies considerably. This means that it is healthful for people with diabetes only if they eat it in moderation. Key changes can help people create a varied, healthful, low-protein diet…, People may sometimes experience muscle soreness during or after exercise. Just follow the instructions below: Brain regions found where serotonin boosts patience, impulse control, Ability to lose weight is not affected by age, 'Clear, balanced information' important for vaccine uptake. Here are the best of the pops. Rat-bite fever is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that transmits through rats, other rodents, or contaminated food and drink. Is popcorn healthy? People can add oil or butter for flavoring, but the popcorn does not need any oil to pop. The American Dietetic Association define 1 serving as around 15 g of carbohydrate, which is equal to 3 cups of air-popped popcorn. Wholegrain foods are already known to be healthy. You'd need to walk 39 minutes to burn 140 calories. Polyphenols have up to 10 times the antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E. Observational studies that have examined the link between these foods and health have claimed that it is their polyphenol content that reduces the risk of death, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses. In general, microwave popcorn is the least healthy option. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. We also look at how people can make their own healthful, air-popped popcorn at home. Polyphenols are heavily diluted in fruits and vegetables, which are 90 percent water. Last medically reviewed on March 21, 2019. Is popcorn healthful for people with diabetes? Popcorn contains plenty of nutrients and vitamins when people make it in the right way. Popcorn can be high in salt, and so checking the nutrition labels on the packaging to find out how much salt or sodium each item has is sensible. Another way you can say, “yes,” to the question is popcorn healthy is to detox your popcorn. When air-popped, unsweetened, and unsalted, popcorn contains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that the body needs. In addition to its myriad of health benefits, popcorn is also a great snack for people who have a hard time feeling full or satiated. In this article, we look at how popcorn can be a healthful snack, its nutritional values and benefits, which types are healthful, and which types are not. That said, added butter, sugar, and salt can make popcorn an unhealthful snack. Polyphenols are chemicals found in fruit and vegetables including berries, walnuts, olives and grapes, and other foods including chocolate, wine, coffee and tea. Remove from the pan when the popping stops and season as desired. Here’s our process. 5. Snack time just got healthier with Great Value Sea Salt Flavored Popcorn. If someone prefers not to use the stovetop method, they can choose between a range of popcorn makers online. Unsalted, air-popped popcorn contains many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin K. According to the USDA, the nutritional values of air-popped, unsalted popcorn, in grams (g), milligrams (mg), and micrograms (mcg), are as follows: Air-popped, unflavored popcorn is low in calories, fat, and sugar, and high in fiber. Coconut oil that is great for your metabolism; Hemp seeds that are full of omega 3 fatty acids; Red palm oil that contains the highest amounts of vitamins A and E of any plant-based oil; I have to say, the red palm oil took this popcorn from about an 9 to an 11 on a scale from 1 to 10. A smattering of salt and pepper (seriously, that’s it besides the popcorn and sunflower oil) keep this bag simple and healthy while still packing a major punch in the flavor department. However, this is a preliminary report that has not yet been published and it is probably too soon to conclude that popcorn can boost health or protect from cancer. People can air-pop popcorn by heating popcorn kernels in a popcorn maker or on a stovetop. Because carbohydrates break down into sugars once they are in the body, people with diabetes monitor how much carbohydrate they eat to avoid complications. With just 39 calories per cup and a short list of wholesome ingredients, this popcorn is a great option for those looking for a healthy snack.It’s flavorful and fulfilling–with about half the sodium as other healthy popcorns. Once a person knows their specific carbohydrate goal per meal and per day, this definition can help them work out whether popcorn can fit within a meal or their day. Microwave popcorns vary by type and brand too. In fact, plain popcorn is a healthy, high-fiber whole grain. Menu Read on to find out the causes of this muscle soreness and how to continue…, Lexapro is the brand name for a drug called escitalopram, which treats depression and anxiety. Walmart has sugar cookie flavored popcorn—and it’s everything you need for a Christmas-time snack!. When prepared with just the right ingredients, popcorn is low in calories, heart-smart, and surprisingly chock-full of healthy nutrients. Reviewers write that this popcorn makes for easy snacking and that a single serving is quite filling. That said, popcorn isn’t a food item that we would add to the "healthy" category. On its own, popcorn can make for a nutritious and healthy snack if consumed without any added sugar or salt. Popcorn contains impressive amounts of fiber, antioxidants, polyphenolic compounds, manganese, vitamin B complex, magnesium and manganese. The theoretical effect of polyphenols in improving important measures of health or in preventing disease needs to be confirmed in further research. Product Title Great Value Butter Flavored Microwave Popcorn, 12 Count Average Rating: ( 4.2 ) out of 5 stars 25 ratings , based on 25 reviews Current Price $3.48 $ 3 . People can check the product label for the nutritional information they need to make a healthful choice. Here's everything you need to know about this nutritious snack, including if microwave popcorn is healthy, 12 reasons to make popcorn your healthy snack of choice, and healthy popcorn … Salt and sugar content are also important and before any claim of universal benefits from popcorn is made the relative content of these will need to be assessed. Any mention in the newspapers of their potential benefits, such as for the prevention of cancer or heart disease, were not investigated by this study. Whole grain cereals, popcorn rich in antioxidants, not just fiber, new research concludes. For example: If people choose popcorn as part of their diet, they should be careful to avoid sugary and salty versions. Depending on its preparation, popcorn can be a healthful snack. The CDC recommend that people limit their salt intake. Every cell in the body contains protein, and it has an important role in building and repairing cells and body tissues. It is trans fat and gluten free, and the only ingredients are corn, vegetable oil, and sea salt, so you know you're enjoying a … Why eating popcorn is good for your health. Learn more here. Air-popping means heating the hard popcorn seeds, or kernels, in hot air until they burst and become popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is a healthy, whole-grain, antioxidant-rich snack that's low in calories. The Guardian 's story on popcorn is based on research presented at a conference in the US. But there are things people can do to get rid of a double chin if it bothers…, People with kidney-related illnesses may benefit from a low-protein diet.