Many people love junk food, and there’s a good reason for that- it tastes great! Unfortunately, most junk foods are high in calories, which can be problematic if you are trying to lose weight or keep up your healthy lifestyle.
When you eat too many calories, your body stores some of them as fat to use for energy. This can lead to overweight or obesity, health problems such as diabetes, and increased risk of heart disease.
There are certain types of popcorn that contain large amounts of butter or other fats. These extra oils may make it more difficult to digest the starch in the corn kernels, and so your body doesn’t get the same level of glucose (a simple sugar) help fuel digestion.
This could contribute to symptoms like nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. If these symptoms persist even after you have finished eating all of the popcorn, they could indicate an intestinal obstruction. You should call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Fortunately, there is a way to enjoy a little bit of buttery popcorn without having to worry about it hurting your health. Here’s what to do.
Types of popcorn
There are several types of popped corn that people enjoy eating. Some have special additives or toppings, such as butter, salt, and sugar. These additions can be mixed in with the popping corn process or applied directly to the finished product.
Regular old plain microwave popcorn is probably the most common type of popcorn you will find. This article’s focus is going to be on salted popcorn because it is one of the more popular varieties.
There are three main components of making salted popcorn at home-toasten kernels, stir the mixture while it popps, and take time to let the salty flavor blend into the corn.
Health benefits of popcorn
Who doesn’t love movie theater snacks? The salty, buttery goodness of melted cheese with hot, buttered corn is one of America’s favorite foods.
Popcorn seems to be everywhere these days. You can find it in theaters, restaurants, and even at your local grocery store! It’s not very expensive either, making it a pretty accessible food item.
But have you ever wondered what health benefits, if any, popping a bag of microwave popcorn has for you?
It may just be time to stop eating your feet and shoulders off!
Many people make the claim that popcorn is a healthier option than other snack options like chips or pretzels. Others say it’s better than most vegetables because it’s higher in carbs.
So how true are those claims? And what are the exact differences between them? Let’s dive into all of that here!
Disclaimer: This article will talk about some potential health benefits of popcorn and some limitations. Please do not overconsume high-carbohydrate foods such as white bread or sugar-laden treats.
Medical professionals agree that limiting added sugars and carbohydrates is important to help individuals lose weight and keep their blood glucose levels under control. Having too much sugar in your system can cause inflammation which can hurt heart and bone health.
Downsides of popcorn
One major downside of eating too much popcorn is that it can be difficult to digest. The reason for this is a compound in the air we are exposed to when popping corn.
This compound, called furanocoumarin (sometimes referred to as 5-hydroxy-2H-furanone or HFO) interferes with how your body breaks down carbohydrates.
It does this by binding to certain proteins in the stomach which prevent them from breaking down properly. If these bind to enough protein, they may even cause inflammation!
These inflammatory markers have been linked to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Because of this, there are some health benefits to limiting yourself to one large serving of popcorn every few days.
Can I eat too much popcorn?
Many people enjoy eating large amounts of popcorn during movie nights or gatherings. However, some individuals may find that their body does not like this heavy intake of air and calories.
Some symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and/or increased breathing rate. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming popcorn, then it is best to stop what youare doing and find an appropriate balance.
It may be helpful to limit your popcorn consumption for a few days and see if your symptoms improve. Also make sure to drink enough water to help keep yourself hydrated.
I would also recommend chewing about half the amount of popcorn per serving to reduce the amount of time it takes to consume the snack. This can prevent excessive air from being consumed as well as lower its overall calorie content.
Popcorn and your health
Many people love popcorn, but it may be hurting you more than helping you. Consuming too much air-popped corn can actually pose some serious health risks or even symptoms of digestive issues.
Some theories about why this happens include:
The butter in the poppable kernels makes it harder for your body to process the starch from the corn. The longer it takes to digest the food, the greater chance there is of an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.
Because the melted fat contains many calories, eating large amounts may contribute to weight gain. For that reason, some suggest limiting yourself to one small handful per movie outing.
Another theory suggests that the chemicals used to make the popped corn go bad as they oxidize and then remain in the mouth. These could potentially irritate your stomach or have other unknown effects.
So, how do you know if you’re ingesting enough or too much air-poped corn? There are few ways to accurately test for either.
You can try cutting back on the amount you eat for several days and see what changes occur. You can also check whether you feel hungry more frequently or if you are experiencing gas or bloating.
This article will discuss some potential signs of popcorn toxicity and tips for avoiding excess sugar and carbs while watching movies.
Popcorn and your teeth
When you eat popcorn, there are several things that can happen to it. Some people like to scrape off some of the popped corn with their hands or use a spoon as a tool to stir it. This may not be the best way to do this though, as what happens then is some of the butter gets scraped onto your hand or plate instead of being consumed in the process.
Some bits of popcorn end up stuck in between your teeth where they get dried out and hard. This can cause pain later when you brush and floss, and even make eating harder due to possible gum disease.
Dry pieces of popcorn also easily get lost so if you’re looking for a few minutes away from screen time, take a moment to thoroughly wash all your dishes!
We don’t recommend scraping the popcorn because part of it could still contain fat which would go bad either burned in your mouth or absorbed into your digestive system. Also, some fats help keep your heart healthy so wouldn’t want to remove those!
Good luck trying to find a perfect balance with just brushing and flossing! (Sorry we couldn’t give you more specific tips.
Popcorn and your belly
When you eat popcorn, how much butter you use and whether or not you toast it can make a difference in what is being consumed and if it is considered a healthy snack.
Some people say that when eating popcorn with lots of melted fat (the creamier the better) it is more likely to be absorbed by your body and therefore may contribute to weight gain. This theory was made popular due to the perception that fats are bad for us.
However, there are some foods that contain large amounts of fat and are known health benefits. Some studies show that several types of popcorn are good for our hearts and circulatory systems!
A few tablespoons of salted popcorn sprinkled with olive oil and roasted in an oven or toaster bag is your best bet for making sure it does not have too many calories.
Popcorn and your waist
When you eat popcorn, how much butter or oil you use makes a difference in how well it tastes and whether or not it is healthy for you. Either too little fat or no fat at all can prevent people from getting enough essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that are needed to keep your heart healthy.
Many people complain about the “cheesy” taste of some air-popped kernels. The trick is to add just enough butter or olive oil to make the flavor good without making the popperball too oily.
Some recipes call for melted butter as an ingredient which may be better than using salted butter because less salt is used. It will also help reduce blood pressure if soaked into the stomach.
Too many fats can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by either raising LDL cholesterol or lowering HDL cholesterol.