First of all the description of a corn, a corn has Thick, hardened layers of skin caused by friction and pressure. Corn, also known as maize, is a starchy vegetable that comes as kernels on a cob, covered by a husk.
Corns most often develop on the tops and sides of feet and between the toes. They're benign and can also be found in weight-bearing areas.
As the world's most dominant and productive crop, with extensive areas of land dedicated to global production yields of over 1 billion metric tons, corn is used for a variety of purposes including animal feed, grain for human consumption, ethanol, as well as for high fructose corn syrup, sweeteners, starch ETC.
Corn can be divided up into 4 (four) basic groups:
Field corn: Consist of flint type and dent type. Flint type is hard-shelled corn and typically ground into meal or used for animal feed. While dent corn is categorized by the indentation at the top of its kernels and grows in warmer climates.
Sweet corn: A table corn that is widely consumed.
Popcorn: One of the oldest types of Popcorn. There are two types of Popcorn, namely Pearl and Rice in regards to their shape. While Pearl Popcorn is more rounded, the Rice Popcorn is longer.
Ornamental corn: The non-edible corn that is mainly used as decorations.
Corn is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage and wards off diseases like cancer and heart disease. Yellow corn is a good source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for eye health and help prevent the lens damage that leads to cataracts.
Corn is a staple food, one of the most commonly eaten and grown in the world. There are more than 200 varieties grown in the Nigeria alone, where corn on the cob is a popular tradition among many families. In Nigeria the husks are used to make tamales, and ground corn is used as a base for many traditional recipes, including tortillas.
Since corn is naturally gluten-free, it’s a good choice to use in place of wheat. It’s also loaded with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help your health in a number of ways.
Health Benefits
Corn is a great source of potassium, an essential nutrient that many Nigerians don’t get enough of. Potassium helps regulate the circulatory system, maintaining adequate blood flow and a strong heartbeat. Low potassium levels may lead to a potentially serious condition called hypokalemia.
The fiber in corn helps you stay full for longer between meals. It also feeds healthy bacteria in your digestive tract, which may help protect against colon cancer.
When it comes to nutrients, color matters. Plant pigments are where you'll find natural chemicals called phytonutrients, which carry the antioxidants. That's why white or yellow corn has fewer antioxidants than blue or purple corn.
Corn is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage and wards off diseases like cancer and heart disease. Yellow corn is a good source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for eye health and help prevent the lens damage that leads to cataracts.
How to Prepare and Store Corn.
You can boil, steam, roast, or grill corn on the cob. Keep the husk on for roasting and grilling. For faster cooking, put corn in the microwave for about 2 minutes per ear. You'll find that this veggie also makes a hearty addition to soups, stews, and casseroles.
Be careful how you top your corn. Coat the ear in butter, and you'll add calories and fat. Instead, use a squeeze of lime, a teaspoon of olive oil, or a dash of chili powder or smoked paprika for flavor. The same seasonings can replace butter on popcorn, too.
Source: Cloud2 News.
Written By John Paul Onyedikachi.
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