Its still the season of Corn……
I have decided to blog on the benefits of corn because we are in its season and as God has made every plant with its medicinal value, corn also has its own.
Just before I dish out the medicinal benefits of Corn, am sure many are now aware of what some corn sellers do to deceive us by making us feel that a corn is fresh as in “Ibe eni”…….if you get me.
From the July 5th edition of The Nation newspaper, a Natural Health Columnist - Femi Kusa wrote of a woman who confessed to him that they now soak the corn/maize in a saccharine solution to sweeten their maize for sale.
This sugary substance has been banned by the World Health Organisation as it is said to be carcinogenic (causing cancer).
According to Femi Kusa, the best way to eat maize is to have it roasted with the skin on and to be removed from the heat source when the layers of skin have been burnt to the last one and it can be peeled to reveal a roast dripping in the oil! The corn exposed directly to charcoal fire is often burnt. The burn creates tar and as tar causes cancer, it is better to avoid burnt corn.
……..But almost everyone is found eating one especially on the streets of Lagos, so if you can get to have one done by yourself or a trusted seller, then go ahead and eat your corn as it has some benefits/medicinal values which I’m going to list below:
Corn is rich in fibre. It is commonly applicable in constipation treatment. A constant intake of corn contributes to an increase in faecal volume. Corn also accelerates faecal passage through the intestines. Hence, it facilitates the elimination of toxic substances from the body. Corn meal also protects the mucous of the digestive tract, thereby reducing stomach acidity and promoting gall-bladder functions.
Cereals, generally corn, wheat, oatmeal, rice and millet should be consumed in abundant quantities because they are the main sources of complex carbohydrates (starch and others). According to WHO, the abundant use of grains has some combative effects on cancer, because it cuts down the risk of cancer development.