Popcorn a day keeps the doctor away By Richard Alleyne, The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2009
Published: August 19, 2009, 23:24
London: It has been the guilty treat enjoyed by cinema-goers for generations. But US scientists have discovered that popcorn contains the same amount of healthy antioxidants as fruit and vegetables because it is a whole-grain food.
Such foods are made using grains that have not been refined to remove the bran and germ and are known to bring health benefits because of the fibre in them.
Scientists are reassessing their effectiveness and think it might be polyphenols, which act as antioxidants by removing damaging free radicals from the body, that are the main health-giving ingredient.
Researchers at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, found that whole-grain products had comparable anti-oxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables.
"Early researchers thought that the fibre was the active ingredient for benefits in whole-grains, the reason why they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease," Joe Vinson, who led the new study, said. "But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important.
"We were surprised by the levels of polyphenols we found in popcorn.
"I guess its because it's not processed. You get all the wonderful ingredients of the corn undiluted and protected by the skin. In my opinion it's a good health food."
Dr Vinson added that a cup of popcorn contained around as many polyphenols as an apple. He said cereals such as granola were also good.
Are you a popcorn addict? Which is the one food item you wish was not fattening?
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