Finlinea Healthwits | Blogs | Lohri special- Benefits of eating popcorn

Lohri is one of the most joyous festivals in India. This winter festival is traditionally a folk festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus. It is believed that Lohri marks the end of winter and the start of the spring, however, this exotic festival is associated with the harvest of the crops.

It also gives us a reason to hang out with our family and friends, and have an ecstatic time. A holy bonfire is initiated post-sunset, which by the way sets a tranquil mood for the rest of the evening. Apart from that, you can enjoy the electrifying dhol beats and dance like no one is watching.

No festival is complete without a delicious spread and Lohri is no different. The show-stoppers (when it comes to food) of Lohri are; rewri, peanuts, popcorn, gajak, sarson da saag, and makki di roti. Till (sesame seeds), gajak (a sesame seed barfi), Gur (jaggery), peanuts, and popcorn are also fed to the holy fire as part of the harvest ritual.

Lohri is basically a Punjabi festival, yet, people in our country celebrate this festival with incredible amounts of zeal and enthusiasm.

So, what is it about popcorn that is so beneficial?

First of all, the popcorn you eat in Lohri is not the same as the ones you eat in movie theatres. It is free from all the fattening agents, such as oil and butter, also, they don't contain any artificial flavours. It is just pure unadulterated popcorn, which is simply mouth-watering. It is high in fibre and doesn't have a large caloric value. Therefore, if your new year's resolution is to lose weight, you can do so with the help of popcorn and enjoy the celebrations without the guilt of consuming excess calories. Read on to know more about the other exciting benefits of popcorn.

Healthy snack
Okay, so before you go and buy several packets of flavoured or buttered popcorn, we are not talking about those. We are talking about the air-popped version, which is free from all the fattening and unhealthy agents. The buttered-up ones contain almost 1200 calories and about 60 grams of saturated fat, whereas, the air-popped ones have only about 30 calories. Much difference, right? So, now snack on that delicious popcorn whenever you have an unexpected craving.

Recipe

Put 4-5 tablespoons of the corn kernel in a medium-sized paper bag. Secure the opening by folding it twice (we need it closed perfectly) and then microwave it for about 2 minutes. Don't worry, you will hear the pops and once the popping sound stops, your popcorn is ready.
Packed with polyphenols
A research conducted by the scientists at the University of Scranton shows that our beloved popcorn is loaded with polyphenols (they act as antioxidants) and can reduce inflammation. Basically, one popcorn serving contains about 300 mg of polyphenols and your average fruits contain about 225 mg of polyphenols in a single serving.
May help fight Cancer
It is said that one of the polyphenols present in popcorn has the ability to prevent the enzymes necessary for the growth of cancer. Therefore, apart from a healthy well-balanced meal, popcorn is definitely a beneficial snacking option.
Whole-grain? I have popcorn
So, you have heard about how important it is to consume whole grains, right? Well, popcorn is 100% unprocessed whole grain. Yay. Just one serving every day fulfils your whole grain quota for the day and it is tasty. Double yay.
Relief from constipation
Popcorn is a whole grain, therefore, its insoluble fibre keeps your digestive tract healthy, preventing constipation. A study was conducted in 2008, which showed that people who consumed at least one serving of popcorn regularly found that there was an increase in their fibre intake by 22% and the whole grain consumption by a winning 250%. So, you can see that a simple snack can impact your health in a positive manner.
Diet partner
Trying to lose weight? Popcorn is your best friend. High in fibre, it will keep you fuller for longer, curbing your temptations. However, it is important to go for the air-popped version and not the buttered ones. Also, whenever you feel like munching, popcorn has your back. A single serving not only fills you up, but also helps you lose those extra pounds.
Diabetic friendly
Fiber doesn't have the same effect as carbohydrates on your blood sugar levels. Since it takes longer to break, there won't be an instant increase in your blood sugar levels.
Packed with iron
One serving (28 gm) of popcorn contains about 0.9 mg of iron, which is almost as much as one cup spinach. Adult men need about 8 mg iron every day, whereas adult women need about 18 mg daily. So, go ahead, grab some popcorn and increase your iron intake.

Disclaimer:

The purpose of this blog is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health and wellness topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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