Published: April 27, 2010
The Amazing Health Benefits of Gourmet Popcorn
By Rocco 'Boss Hog' Loosbrock
Once viewed as just another tasty junk food made available at the movies, Doctors and Nutritionists alike are coming out of the wood work to promote the wonderful health benefits of "Gourmet Popcorn".
The truth of the matter is, pop corn has always been great for you, but unfortunately, over the years it has gotten an unfairly "bad rap" because of the low quality kernels often popped up and then overly salted after being doused, drenched and drowned in the greasiest, slimiest chemical concoction of artificial butter-like substances ever known to man, at so many theatres, drive-inns and fast food places, not to mention several of the cheaper, pre-packed store bought "stove top" and "microwave oven" versions of the popular "POP" product.
Actually, there are numerous University and Medical Studies, including a recent study just carried out over at the University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, that proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that popcorn has some seriously surprising health benefits.
First of all, it's an amazingly awesome source of good, natural, organic fiber. That not only keeps you "regular," but is a wonder natural cleanser of your digestive tract, clearing out leftover food particles that could get lodged in the intestine or colon and cause cancer.
Also, popcorn is extremely high in antioxidants, most notably, polyphenols - a group of natural plant chemicals that have a wide ranging variety of health benefits. Polyphenols are the same group of compounds that give red wine, tea, olive oil, and chocolate their natural body beneficial properties.
Not only do they effectively seek out and destroy "free radicals" and protect against cell damage, they contain various, all natural, organic "anti-cancer" and "anti-heart disease" properties that are definitely life enhancing, and potentially lifesaving.
Popcorn is an all natural, "whole grain," just like oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and millet, which are all known for their powerful health benefits. All of these grains retain the bran and germ of the plant which is the source of most of the grains vitamins and minerals.
Natural, whole grains include all three parts of a grain, the bran, the endosperm and the germ. The Bran is the multi-layered outer skin that protects the kernel from damage by weather, water, pests and disease. It contains lots and lots of valuable antioxidants, B vitamins and of course, lots of fiber.
The endosperm is located in the center of popcorn and it provides energy to the plant as well as anybody who is smart enough to eat it. The endosperm is the largest part of the kernel and it contains various nutritional natural carbohydrates, high energy proteins and various healthy vitamins and minerals.
Then finally the nutrient-packed germ is the embryo of the plant that will reproduce if fertilized by pollen. It contains several B vitamins, protein, minerals and what doctors and nutritionists refer to as "The Healthy Fats."
Therefore, in contrast to many of the cheaper, refined grains, where these vitamin-rich components have been artificially stripped away, natural grains such a gourmet popcorn are a wonderful source of vitamins, minerals, and as previously mentioned, fiber.
This natural fiber helps create a sense of satisfaction, or satiety, the sense of being "full" and that sense can last for hours and hours at a time, so in fact, premium quality, gourmet popcorn is actually quite helpful in one's efforts to lose weight.
Signing off at Pigging out!
Rocco "Boss Hog" Loosbrock
(NewsBlaze readers use coupon code Blaze to get 10% off your next bacon order)
Rocco owns and runs a Bacon of the Month Club called The Bacon Freak Bacon is Meat Candy Club as well as a Wine Club called the Coastal Vineyard Wine Club
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