The Healthy Benefits of Popcorn
If you’ve ever been to a movie theatre, then you already know that popcorn is one of the best snacks in the world. With its buttery goodness, popcorn is a staple snack for most people on movie nights. But have you ever wondered if this delicious snack is actually healthy for you? If you’re a popcorn lover like most other people, and you want to know if your favorite snack is providing you with any health benefits, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of our favorite late-night snack: popcorn!
Health Benefits
According to WebMD, eating popcorn has a few health benefits. Popcorn is not only high in fiber, but it also contains a needed antioxidant known as phenolic acid. Since popcorn is a whole grain, an essential part of the human diet, popcorn can reduce the risk of several chronic conditions.
Lower the Risk of Diabetes
One of the most important benefits of whole grains is their ability to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly for women and middle-aged men. Because popcorn has a low glycemic index, there is a possibility that it can help maintain your sugar levels. People who eat a lot of foods with low glycemic index can actually improve their lipids and their glucose levels. If you struggle with sugar levels, then popcorn would be a great snack to enjoy with your movies!
Heart Disease
As you may already know, fiber is known to decrease the risk of a person getting cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, which are the top causes of death worldwide. A diet high in fiber is advised for many people, but some people don’t know how to fit in that much fiber in their daily food intake. Luckily, popcorn is not only high in fiber, but it’s also delicious. If you’re looking for a new way to include fiber in your diet in a tasty way, then check out popsmith.com to get in contact with a company that knows their popcorn.
Weight Management
We all know how hard it is for some people to lose weight. It seems like all the tasty snacks add on the pounds, and as much as you try to stay away, you can’t help but want to snack. As we discussed previously, popcorn is high in fiber, which is excellent when trying to eat healthily, but it also has a low-calorie count. If you like to snack but don’t like the weight gain that comes with it, grab some popcorn instead of some chips. It’s the best way to fulfill your snacking needs without the weight gain guilt.
How to Prepare Your Popcorn
As we mentioned, popcorn can contain health benefits, but only if you eat it with health in mind. While you may like to put an entire stick of butter in your popcorn with loads of salt, you’re not going to get the health benefits of eating it that way. Rather than a bunch of unhealthy toppings, add just a little bit of butter, or you can even use olive oil. Add some salt and pepper, chili flakes, or grated cheese, and you’ll have a healthy, delicious snack.
We all enjoy a delicious snack every now and then, but we can’t go through life eating bags of salty chips and trays of cookies. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy snacking, especially if you choose popcorn as your tasty treat. If you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle but can’t seem to say no to cookies and chips, try adding a bit of popcorn to your diet instead.
