A handful of popcorn contains more antioxidants than we imagine, according to a scientific study. Specifically, its polyphenol concentration exceeds that of fruits and vegetables , among other things because popcorn contains only 4% water, while in vegetables these antioxidants are diluted in 90% liquid, as explained the researcher Joe Vinson in the last meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS, for its acronym in English). By his calculations, a serving of popcorn contains 300 milligrams of polyphenols, compared to 160 milligrams for a serving of fruit . In addition, the "shell" of the popcorn has a high concentration of fiber.
"From a nutritional point of view, popcorn is gold nugget," says Vinson, who researches at the University of Scranton (USA). According to the researcher, they are the perfect snack , since they are whole grains, an ingredient in the diet that nutritionists recommend eating daily. Of course, when cooking them it is better to use little oil and use natural corn, instead of "popcorn packages prepared to cook in the microwave, which contain too much fat, specifically 43%".
On the other hand, Vinson reminds that popcorn cannot replace fruit or vegetables in a balanced diet, as it lacks vitamins and other essential nutrients.
