I love popcorn so much that I often eat an entire (ahem, large) bowl by myself. Yet I’ve read that aside from its high fiber content, popcorn is essentially empty calories. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, according to a new study from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. Researchers discovered that popcorn is a rich source of polyphenols–the same powerful antioxidants found in wine, chocolate and berries, which are believed to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other health conditions. In fact, popcorn contains more polyphenols than any other type of whole grain snack.
Just keep in mind that you’re practically canceling out any health benefit if you get popcorn at the movie theater (a small serving contains a whopping 630 calories and 50 grams of fat, thanks to the butter topping and the coconut oil it’s popped in; a cup of air-popped popcorn will set you back just 31 calories and is fat-free)–and many types of microwave popcorn are nearly as bad.
Personally, I use an air popper and lightly coat my kernels with canola cooking spray and some sea salt. It sounds weird, but try it–the spray is low-cal and gives the popcorn a wonderful buttery taste without making it soggy the way that spray butter does.
Facebook
Camille
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so glad to read this! Polyphenols are wonderful. I love making popcorn, but I’ve always heard it was a nothing snack—much to my chagrin. I get the microwave popcorn that has no oil and no salt. It just pops in the bag without anything. I sometimes add a quick spray of oil, but quite often, if I salt it when it’s very hot, condensation helps the salt stick a bit (not a lot, though), and I can munch away happily. I can easily put away a whole bowl myself, too, although I do try to share. Sometimes.
Yes! I’m so happy to read this. Ever since I discovered Giada’s rosemary popcorn recipe, I am obsessed with popcorn. I had never made it on the stove before, and now I will never go back. I have experimented with flavored oils as well. I’m sure this isn’t as low-cal as a spray would be, but I still feel great about not eating the microwave stuff (which always burned on me anyway).
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/popcorn-with-rosemary-infused-oil-recipe/index.html
Glad to know since popcorn is my fave snack and my air popper is my fave piece of kitchen equipment aside from my perfect Le Creuset oatmeal pot (and soup and rice and beans). I go with the salt but sometime go nuts and add petipas or peanuts.
94% fat free pop corn is a real favorite of mine. And it is a great whole grain too.
Eat Well, Live Well is a terrific BLOG!
I never would have guessed popcorn would be high in polyphenols! Now I can feel a little better about it the next time I end up eating pop corn for dinner! ;–)
I use and air popper, then drizzle the popcorn with seasoned flax oil rather than butter.
I am happy to hear the good news about polyphenols in popcorn! I eat plain air popped popcorn for a low cal snack, but figured that it didn’t have any benefits to me other than a great taste that won’t add poundage. It’s nice to now know that it’s good for me too.