Is popcorn healthy? It is considered a healthy snack if it is air popped with adding an extra salt, butter, or sugar. It is high in nutrients, fiber, and whole grain.
Is popcorn healthy? iStock-photo credit: Tarzhanova
The nutrient contents of 100 grams of air popped popcorn are the following:
Vitamin B1- 9% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B3-14% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B6- 9% of the Daily Value
Iron- 18% of the Daily Value
Magnesium- 34% of the Daily Value
Phosphorus-29% of the Daily Value
Potassium-7% of the Daily Value
Zinc- 28% of the Daily Value
Copper- 29% of the Daily Value
Manganese-48% of the Daily Value
One of the main benefits of eating popcorn is the high fiber content in it. Research studies show that dietary fiber can reduce the risk of many diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, etc. The reason fiber is linked to weight loss is because fiber foods slow the digestive system while suppressing your appetite and making you eat less food.
100 grams of popcorn contains about 15 grams of fiber. The recommended daily intake of fiber for men is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.
Popcorn is a great weight loss food because it is low in calories and high in fiber. There was a study that compared eating popcorn and potato chips. And it found that eating 15 calories of popcorn was more filling than eating 150 calories of potato chips. This is another reason eating popcorn is a great weight loss food.
What really makes popcorn unhealthy is adding extra butter, artificial flavorings, extra salt, and sugar. These extra ingredients culminate in a high number of calories.
A high amount of trans fats is associated with the hydrogenated butter attached to popcorn that you buy at the movie theatres. Research studies show trans fats is linked to heart disease and other chronic related diseases.
The Bottom Line is popcorn is healthy if it is air popped and it doesn’t contain any added sugar, salt, or butter. It is a great weight loss snack because it is high in fiber and low in calories.
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References
- USDA- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167959/nutrients
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