The scientific name of blue corn is Zea mays L. subsp. mays. The blue corn is a large grain. It was tamed by the indigenous people in prehistoric times in Mesoamerica. The leafy stalks of this plant are forming ears that contain grain and they are known as kernels. These kernels are used as starch in cooking. The origin of the blue corn is from Peru and South America. Nowadays, blue corn is cultivated a lot in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Blue corn is used a lot in Mexican cuisine, often for making tortillas.
It has many nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B6, zinc, etc. In one cup of blue corn, there is 186 kcal. The excessive usage of blue corn can cause corrupted insulin function and postprandial strikes in the blood sugar. You should limit your intake of blue corn in your diet. You can add the blue corn to your salads and chips.
Blue corn is a substitute for traditional corn in bread, muffins, and griddle cakes. Blue corn has a high protein value and this is a reason why it is used as a basic ingredient in Mexican restaurants. The blue corn can be also used to make some drinks, puddings, popsicles, sorbets, as well as for making bread and tortillas. Here are some health benefits of blue corn:
Health Benefits of Blue Corn
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Probiotic compatible:
There are some studies in which are shown that the blue corn interacted with the probiotic lactic acid and bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus helveticus and it did not harm them.
Slows down aging:
There are some studies in which it said that blue corn can help you in your slowing down the aging process. Stress, smoking, and alcohol can increase your chances of increased aging. So, you can add blue corn to your diet and you will stay away from all the side effects of life stressors.
Supports eye health:
Blue corn has two important antioxidants, which are known as lutein and zeaxanthin and they are used by the eyes exclusively. These antioxidants can help you to lower your chances of getting serious eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
Low carbohydrates:
It has been shown that blue corn is low in carbohydrates. In one serving of blue corn, there are 15 grams of carbohydrates. The low content of carbohydrates is very helpful for all people who suffer from diabetes.
The function of kidneys:
The blue corn extract is rich in antioxidants. They can help to prevent the blood vessels hardening in kidneys, which is a process named glomerulosclerosis and is associated with diabetes. This is causing the kidneys to fail if they are not checked regularly or the symptoms are ignored. This is a reason why you should add blue corn to your diet and you will be sure that the proper function of your kidneys will be effective.
Management of blood pressure:
If you do not treat high blood pressure, then you can have problems with your all organs. You can get heart disease, kidney damage, stroke, memory loss, and vision loss. One study done in 2007 was shown that the anthocyanins which are found in the blue corn can help to reduce the blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive rats.
Lower inflammation:
One study done in Japan was shown that blue corn can help to suppress the inflammatory response in diseases that are associated with inflammation. This is possible because the blue corn has a pigment known as CG3, which is possessing anti-inflammatory properties.
Rich in antioxidants:
Blue corn has natural plant pigment, which is known as anthocyanins that can provide the color of blue corn. This pigment is rich in antioxidants, known as flavonoids. Antioxidants are very important for our bodies because they can help to repair the body and they can help to maintain the health of the cells. Antioxidants are the reason why fruits and vegetables are rich in health benefits, and blue corn takes part in it. Blue corn has high amounts of anthocyanin which shows its richness in antioxidants.
