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You can’t go to a movie theater nowadays without being bombarded by advertisements for the concession stand. There are so many options, it’s hard to decide—but one of the most popular is popcorn.
However, what exactly happens when you eat popcorn? Here’s what you should know about how your body reacts to this popular snack.
Your Brain on Popcorn
When you eat chocolate popcorn for instance, your brain may release endorphins that give you a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. This is similar to how your brain reacts when you consume fats and sugars, which is why many people crave these foods.
But there’s a difference between white-kernel corn and the microwavable type. White-kernel corn is high in fiber, which means it takes your body longer to digest and keeps you full for a longer period of time.
However, microwavable popcorn contains trans fats, saturated fats, preservatives and artificial flavors that raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in your blood. This can lead to heart disease, obesity and other health problems.
Your Blood on Popcorn
When popcorn is popped using a high-temperature cooking oil, the fatty acids oxidize and become dangerous for your body to process. When this occurs, free radicals are produced that attack cell membranes and promote arthritis and inflammatory conditions.
After you eat microwavable popcorn, your blood remains thick with cholesterol for up to three days due to the trans fats that are found in this type of popcorn.
Your Sugar on Popcorn
If you have diabetes, popcorn can give you a slow release of energy without spiking your blood sugar.
What makes popcorn different from other foods with this same quality is that it contains very few calories compared to its high carbohydrate content. Although the carb count of plain air-popped corn is still fairly high (30 grams in a cup), it is a much better choice than some other “fast carbs” that can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels.
You Can Get Popped!
Because popcorn is grown in large fields near roads where cars travel, it’s often sprayed with insecticides and herbicides that contain hazardous chemicals. If you want to avoid toxic chemicals in your popcorn, consider buying organic corn kernels.
The important thing is, don’t stop popping! Just make sure you choose the right kind of chocolate popcorn so it can be a healthy part of your diet.
Additional Reminder
Popcorn has high levels of carbohydrates, cellulose, and fiber among other components that are great for the digestive system; however, an over consumption of these components can cause gas and bloating.
As for taste and smell, polyphenols (antioxidants) and butyl rubber compounds (which give popcorn its unique flavor), cause the brain to produce dopamine which is a feel-good neurotransmitter.
Popcorn can actually be good for you, however, it should only make up about 5% of your total caloric intake, so eating popcorn on the daily is not recommended.
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