popcornThe next time you have a craving, eat popcorn and watch them because apparently they are very good for health.

A new U.S. research found that the popcorn is not only an important source of fiber, are rich in antioxidants, substances that help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The study analyzed the level of antioxidants in various snacks, including popcorn, and cereal flour and grain popularly eaten for breakfast. He found that these products contain quantities “unbelievably large” of polyphenols, antioxidant compounds also found in fruits, vegetables, red wine and chocolate.

As pointed out by the research presented at the annual conference of the American Chemical Society, whole grains per gram containing a quantity of antioxidants similar to those of fruits and vegetables. Studies in the past have shown that whole grain foods reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

And he believed that the active ingredient that produced these benefits was the fiber-found in the cellulose shell enveloping the seed-and helps the absorption and digestion of food.

The new study shows, however, that these products have a high nutritional value as antioxidants.

Polyphenols

In recent years there has been discovering the value of polyphenols to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. These antioxidants are a group of chemicals capable of removing the body called “free radicals”, compounds that can cause damage to cells and tissues.

Researchers at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, measured the total amount of polyphenols in whole grain flours, breakfast cereals, hot cereals and other grain products like pasta and cravings, cookies, chips and popcorn. “This is the first study that analyzes the total level of phenolic antioxidants in cereals consumed at breakfast and snacks,” says Dr. Joe Vinson, who led the study at the University of Pennsylvania Scanton.

“We found that whole grain products have, per gram, a comparable level of antioxidants to fruit and vegetables” said the scientist. The investigation found that between whole grain cereals, which have most antioxidants are wheat, corn, oats and rice, in that order. They found also that among the pastas, cookies, chips and other snacks, popcorn are those that have higher antioxidant values.

Without salt or sugar

According to Dr. Vinson, grains lose much of their nutrients and antioxidants during the production of cereals. However, the nutritional value of popcorn could be explained by the antioxidant is protected corn during the drying process of seed. And as soon as you pop to create the dove, you only lose a small amount of polyphenols.

The researchers also found that whole grains also have a high level of antioxiodantes. Experts say, however, that grain sold mainly for breakfast-containing high amounts of sugar and salt. So, they say, should avoid eating these sugary products.

Similarly, the popcorn can potentially be a healthy addition to the human diet, but only if you eat no sugar, salt and other food additives.