Sweet Corn (Makkai): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More! - PharmEasy Blog (2024)

Introduction:

A steaming cup of boiled sweet corn or sweet corn roasted over charcoal seems to be the perfect fit for a long drive on a rainy day. As much as it is delicious, it may be healthy too! Sweet corn is popular worldwide for its unique taste, sweetness, and pleasant flavour. It is hybridised form of maize and is also known as sugar corn. Scientifically, it is called Zeamays (L.) var. saccharata.¹

If you are health-conscious, you’ll be happy to know that this tasty vegetable is part of the new age super diet. It is now being widely used in the culinary world for making salads, pizza toppings, making sugar syrups, etc.¹. In the following sections, let’s find out about sweet corn’s potential uses and side effects in detail.

Nutritional Value of Sweet Corn:

The nutrients present in sweet corn and their percentage content are as follows:

Other minerals: iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium

Vitamins: vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate and vitamin A²

Also Read: Drumstick: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Properties of Sweet Corn:

Sweet corn contains a lot of bioactive components due to which it might have the following properties:

• It might act as an antioxidant (might neutralise free radicals in the body).
• It may help maintain blood sugar.
• It may help regulate carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism in the body.
• It may help in the production of healthy red blood cells.
• It might help increase good cholesterol in the blood.
• It may promote the betterment of vision.¹

I will tell you a little secret about cooked sweet corn! Cooking sweet corn might actually boost its health benefits. It’s true! When cooked, sweet corn’s antioxidant activity skyrockets, offering greater protection against cancer, heart disease, and cataract.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: Potato: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Potential Uses of Sweet Corn for Overall Health:

Sweet corn may benefit your health in many ways due to the multiple vitamins and minerals that it contains. The potential uses of sweet corn are explained below in detail.

1. Potential Uses of Sweet Corn for Diabetes:

Corn has resistant starch, which might help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In a study, it was seen that resistant starch might be beneficial for rising blood sugar after eating food and insulin levels.³ This might be because sweet corn gets absorbed slowly, thus stabilising the sugar in the blood.¹ Therefore, control of blood sugar in diabetes might be one of the advantages of sweet corn.

2. Potential Uses of Sweet Corn (Makkai) for Digestion:

Resistant starch is present in corn, which is a form of fibre that doesn’t get dissolved (or digested) easily. Thus, eating corn may be beneficial as it helps uptake minerals, might act as a prebiotic (might increase good bacteria that help in digestion), might aid bulking of stools and its easy passing. It might also be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of diarrhoea.³ Therefore, eating sweet corn may prove to be advantageous for stomach-related problems.

3. Potential Uses of Sweet Corn for Obesity:

A large study conducted on nurses in the US showed that adopting a fibre-rich diet containing more whole grains, especially corn, may help maintain an optimum weight. Moreover, it was observed that fat accumulation decreased when carbohydrates in the diet were replaced with resistant starch (present in corn).³ This may indicate its benefit in losing weight. Thus, it can be said that sweet corn might be valuable for weight loss.

4. Potential Uses of Sweet Corn for Skin:

Corn starch is applied to the skin so that it might soothe rashes and skin irritation. It may also be used in various cosmetic products found on the market. It may be used as a replacement for toxic substances that can potentially cause cancer (carcinogenic substances) in petroleum products.¹ Therefore, it may be regarded as one of the benefits of sweet corn for the skin. You can use sweet corn for skin by making a fine paste of it, mixing it with curd or honey and applying it to the irritated skin areas. Being rich in antioxidants (it might neutralise free radicals), sweet corn might help prevent ageing and maintain the youthful glow of the skin. Thus, sweet corn might act as an anti-ageing agent, another way in which sweet corn might benefit the skin. Therefore, sweet corn might prove to be beneficial for people wanting to maintain youthful skin.¹

5. Potential Uses of Sweet Corn for Anaemia:

Sweet corn is a good natural source of iron which might help form blood cells. Thus, it may help manage anaemia. It also contains folic acid and niacin, which are important for forming blood cells. In addition, folic acid and vitamin B12 may prevent the development of anaemia resulting from vitamin deficiency. Overall, sweet corn may be beneficial in managing anaemia.¹

6. Other Benefits of Sweet Corn:

Sweet corn may benefit our health in the following ways also:

• Sweet corn can may be valuable in dealing with diseases caused due to damage to neurons (neurodegenerative diseases), such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• It contains beta carotenoids, which convert into vitamin A and are good for eyesight. It may also prevent degenerative diseases of the eye (macular degeneration).
• It might have the potential to deal with cancer. However, there is a need for extensive research to prove it.¹

Though there are studies that show the benefits of sweet corn in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of sweet corn on human health.

I would say that corn is not just a tasty treat, but also a fantastic source of health-boosting compounds. One such compound is ferulic acid. Research studies suggest that ferulic acid might play a vital role against cancer, fighting the effects of ageing, and reducing inflammation in our bodies.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Also Read: Brinjal: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

How to Use Sweet Corn (Makkai)?

Sweet corn is a vegetable and may be eaten in many ways.

• Many people roast it on charcoal and eat it, boil it or use it for cooking.
• A few people also eat it raw.
• Sweet corn is becoming popular and may be used in preparations as a vegetable, for jams, special soups, creams, pastes, sweets, syrup, in pizza and salads.

You can eat it in any way that you prefer. However, consuming anything in excess can be harmful, so be mindful of how much sweet corn is being taken.¹ You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an Ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

In my experience, sweet corn is a tasty treat to support your nerves, brain, heart, and cholesterol levels. It is packed with B vitamins, including niacin and thiamine. Thiamine might support nerve health and cognitive function, while niacin may reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues and promote good cholesterol.

Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Also Read: Are Grits Healthy? A Comprehensive Nutritional Analysis

Side Effects of Sweet Corn:

There are no sufficient documented reports to indicate the side effects of sweet corn. As sweet corn is a vegetable, it may be consumed safely in moderate quantities. However, if you have a known allergy to sweet corn, you should avoid it. If you notice any symptoms after eating sweet corn, then you should consult a doctor and get it clarified.

I would recommend sweet corn for people with gluten intolerance. The good news is that sweet corn is naturally gluten-free and might offer a better alternative to other grains.

Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Precautions to Take With Sweet Corn:

There are no specific precautions to be taken for eating sweet corn. However, you should be mindful of the quality and freshness of the sweet corn and whether it is spoilt or not. Avoid eating spoilt sweet corn, as spoilt food may harm your health.

I would recommend sweet corn as a fantastic post-workout snack. Sweet corn is loaded with carbohydrates, which give our bodies and minds the energy they need to function at their best. It is like an energy powerhouse.

Dr. Ashok Pal, BAMS

Interactions With Other Drugs:

There are no specific known drug interactions of sweet corn reported. However, suppose you are receiving treatment for any condition or are on any medication, discuss with your doctor if you can eat sweet corn as some medicines might react with sweet corn. Ensure that it’s safe for you to eat sweet corn before consuming it.

Also Read: Green Chilli: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Frequently Asked Questions:

References:

1. Swapna G, Jadesha G, Mahadevu P. Sweet Corn: A Future Healthy Human Nutrition Food. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci [Internet]. 2020;9(7):3859–65. Available from: https://www.ijcmas.com/abstractview.php?ID=18525&vol=9-7-2020&SNo=452

2. FoodData Central: Corn, sweet, yellow, raw [Internet]. FoodData Central. [cited 2022 Jun 13]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170096/nutrients

3. Siyuan S, Tong L, Liu RH. Corn phytochemicals and their health benefits. Food Sci Hum Wellness [Internet]. 2018;7(3):185–95. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2018.09.003

Disclaimer:The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisem*nts of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisem*nts do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Recommended Topics

Comments

Leave your comment...