Maize
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Corn, mays, maíz, Zea mays, mielie/mealie
See also : Corn Silk
Special Precautions of Maize
- possibility of fungal and microbial infection and toxicity
- skewed Omega 6 : Omega 3 ratio.
- Pellagra is a disease caused by a lack of the vitamin niacin (vitamin B3) can be common in people who obtain most of their food energy from corn, notably rural South America, where maize is a staple food. If maize is not nixtamalized, it is a poor source of tryptophan, as well as niacin. Nixtamalization corrects the niacin deficiency, and is a common practice in Native American cultures that grow corn, but most especially in Mexico and the countries of Central America. Look for Masa harina : dehydrated nixtamalized corn flour. Nixtamalization is a traditional maize preparation process in which dried kernels are cooked and steeped in an alkaline solution, usually water and food-grade lime (calcium hydroxide). After that, the maize is drained and rinsed to remove the outer kernel cover (pericarp) and milled to produce dough that forms the base of numerous food products, including tortillas and tamales.
- High sugar and starch content of maize which gives this grain high calorific value. Not a very good news for weight watchers! Although maize isn't fattening, it is a starchy vegetable, meaning it does contain carbohydrates. Consuming too many carbohydrates and overall calories can lead to weight and fat gain. If you're overweight, the American Dietetic Association encourages you to reduce your daily calorie intake by 500 to 1,000 calories per day for a weight loss of one to two pounds per week. The American Dietetic Association also reports that reducing carbohydrates rather than calories or fat may help with short-term weight loss, and reducing your carbohydrate intake results in a reduced overall energy intake, which is effective for weight and fat loss.
- Corn allergies are seen in adults as well as in children. When a person becomes allergic to corn, his body develops antibodies against corn proteins. Therefore, as soon as the person consumes corn products or even inhales corn particles or pollen, the immune system reacts against it, which gives rise to allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis is the severest symptom of corn allergy. Although a rare condition, it can be life-threatening. It can lead to impairment of several bodily functions. Anaphylaxis occurs unexpectedly and can be seen in children as well as adults.
- Doctors used to advise people with diverticulitis -- an inflammation of the tiny pouches in the small intestine -- to avoid nuts, seeds and corn; that caveat is less common today. According to MedPage Today, research has shown that corn is harmless in those with diverticulitis. However, if you have diverticulitis and experience worsening of symptoms after eating corn, you should avoid it.
Health Benefits and uses of Maize are
- Calories and Macronutrients : A half-cup serving of corn contains 63 calories, or 3 percent of the calories you may include in your meal plan each day if you adhere to a 2,000 calorie diet. The majority of those calories derive from carbohydrates; each serving of corn has 14 g of this macronutrient, which makes up a considerable portion of the 225 g of carbs you need if you are a woman or 325 g you require as a man. Monitor your eating plan to avoid eating too many carbohydrates, as this often results in too many calories, which can lead to weight gain. One serving of corn also provides 2.5 g of protein and less than a gram of fat.
- Fiber : Including corn in your diet provides you with a rich source of fiber, a nutrient important to your bowel health. Each serving of this vegetable provides 1.5 g of fiber; your diet should include 25 to 38 g of fiber each day to help protect you from constipation and diarrhea, as well as fight cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Because of the high fiber content, however, you may experience gas from eating it. Over-the-counter medications can help your body produce less gas.
- Vitamins : Corn serves up several B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B-6. Thiamine, at 26 percent of the daily recommended intake per serving, and vitamin B-6, with 31 percent of the amount your body needs per day, are the vitamins present in the highest amounts. You also take in 5 percent of the vitamin A you require daily daily in every serving of corn, which gives you a small boost in eyesight protection.
- Minerals : Eat a serving of corn and you get 32 percent of the suggested daily intake of magnesium, making corn a good choice for bone health and maintaining your enzyme function. Corn also provides 21 percent of the phosphorus, 16 percent of the copper and 15 percent of the iron and zinc you should consume each day. One serving provides lesser amounts of potassium and calcium, as well.
- Nutritious and highly appetizing : Maize flour is used to make nutritious bread which is highly palatable, and is easily broken down in the body. When taken at intervals, bread helps to clean the colon and the dextrose produced is commonly used for medicinal purposes.
- Prevents constipation : Popcorn is a wholesome staple food made by heating small grains. It is easily digested by the body. In addition, it is practically starch-free and not fattening, and is converted into intermediate carbohydrates and dextrine, which is easily absorbed in the body. It promotes peristalsis and is also beneficial in preventing constipation.
- Reduces stomach acidity : Maize facilitates the removal of toxic food substance and also accelerates the passage of faeces through the intestine. Additionally, it protects the digestive tract thus promoting function of the gall-bladder and reducing stomach acidity.
- Combats the symptoms of certain cancers : Cereals generally wheat, rice, millet, oatmeal and maize should be eaten in large quantities since they are sources of carbohydrates and starch. According to recent studies, the use of maize helps to combat the effects of certain cancers, as it reduces the development of cancer.
- Reduce the risk of diabetes and heart diseases : Maize is low in cholesterol and fat content. Cereal or whole grains are great sources of vitamins and minerals, magnesium, fiber and complex carbohydrates. The fiber in whole grains helps to prevent the risk of heart diseases and diabetes, and all its nutrients boost the immune system.
