Today’s news about the health benefits of popcorn is especially exciting to me ““ anyone who knows me well knows that I love air-popped popcorn. (I’ve gone through five air poppers in the past six years or so.)
So what’s the scoop? It seems that scientists have discovered that popcorn kernels are packed with polyphenols ““ those are plant-powered antioxidants also found in fruits and veggies. But polyphenol concentrations are actually higher in popcorn, partly because the hulls don’t contain water. It’s no substitute for apples and broccoli though, so feel free to snack on popcorn, but don’t skip your recommended servings of fruits and veggies.
In addition to antioxidants, popcorn also boasts fiber, protein and whole grains. But it’s important to note that these benefits can quickly be canceled out by the addition of butter and salt ““ so it’s best to steer clear of the movie theater concession stand. Keep your popcorn plain or sprinkle on some dried herbs for flavor. (My favorite: air-popped popcorn with Italian seasoning!)
Vitacost.com has plenty of organic popcorn to suit your snacking needs. Get poppin’!