ALBAWABA - If you are into movies, there is a high chance you either are into popcorn, or at least tried to eat it once while watching a movie. Maybe you ate some while watching the new Barbie or Oppenheimer movies that came out recently, but have you ever wondered how healthy or unhealthy is it for you?
The answer may or may not shock you, but popcorn can be healthy for you, but how healthy it'll be would depend on if it's made and served with the right ingredients. It can in fact provide some health benefits such as providing you with some vitamins and minerals.
Types of popcorn
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Realistically, there are 3 types of popcorn
The first type is the popcorn you buy at movie theaters which is likely the most unhealthy type of popcorn as it was popped with more saturated fat, and seasoned salts, which increases the fat and sodium content in the popcorn and can leave bad effects on our bodies.
The second type is the popcorn you buy and use a microwave to make. This type could also come with added contents that can add calories, and affect how healthy it is overall. Most microwave popcorn bags contain a chemical element called "perfluorooctanoic acid", which has been associated with a variety of health problems in the past.
The third type is air-popped popcorn. This type can have no added oil, if you decided to make it that way, which would easily make it the healthiest type, not to mention it is also the lowest in calories.
But regardless of what type you decide to go for, all popcorn types offer health benefits, here are some of them:
Health benefits of popcorn
1- High in fiber: Fiber is very useful as it can reduce the risk of many diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In addition, fiber can aid in shedding unnecessary pounds while also boosting digestive health.
2- Nutrient content: As popcorn is a whole grain food, it is full of nutrient content, some being Vitamins B1, B3, and B8. Iron, Zinc, and Copper. In addition, grain foods are linked to a lower frequency of heart disease and diabetes.
3- High in polyphenol antioxidants: Polyphenol are linked to a number health benefits, such as better blood circulation, improved digestive health, and a reduced risk of many diseases, not to mention they can be antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage by free radicals.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, you don't need to feel guilty about eating popcorn in that last movie you watched but do keep in mind that the nutritional quality of popcorn does vary depending on the ingredients used to make it and that the more added butter or salt it contains, the less beneficial it is for your health. It's best to either opt for air-popped popcorn with minimal toppings or to make it at home with healthier ingredients.
