The team of researchers from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have discovered that popcorn contains more antioxidants than other fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants are substances that many scientists believed could help protect against cancer and heart disease. In fact, according to Joe Vinson PhD who presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Popcorn may be the perfect snack."
Vinson previously known as the study of micronutrients in chocolate and nuts. Although previous studies have found that antioxidants called polyphenols in popcorn, Vinson study measuring the right amount of popcorn and found that the antioxidants contained about two times more than fresh sweet corn or fruit per serving.
By 90 percent polyphenols in most fruits and vegetables as a liquid due to high water content. Polyphenols will be more concentrated in the popcorn because it contains only about 4 percent water. Vinson also showed that dried fruits contain more antioxidants than fresh fruit on the same principle.
The study also classified as whole grain popcorn. "It's just a snack in the form of 100 percent whole grain unprocessed," Vinson said. "A serving of popcorn will provide more than 70 percent of the daily intake of wheat The average person only gets about a half servings of whole grains a day and popcorn can fill the gap in a very pleasant way."
However, Vinson cautions that fruits and vegetables remain indispensable because they contain many other important nutrients. He also warned that the popcorn with butter or sweet taste will offset the benefits of nutrition.
