Its been an integral crop and one of thehealthiest grainsmanycivilizations have relied on for thousands of years.

No matter how you choose to eat or cook with it, its nearly impossible to go wrong.

But how much do wereallyknow about the humble ingredient, particularly regarding its bevy of health benefits?

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And why would the question of whether or not corn is good for you ever be contemplated?

What are the pros and cons of eating corn?

Registered dietitianKim Melton, RD, is here to set the record straight.

Broth in Bowl on gray background, healthy food, top view.

registered dietitian and longevity nutritionist

So, is corn good for you?

Right off the bat, Melton says undoubtedly yes.

3 benefits of eating corn

1.

Close-up of sliced purple cabbage,

Corn also has manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, folate, potassium and some B vitamins, Melton adds.

Because corn has potassium and carbs, it makes for a greatand totally underratedpost-workout recovery snack.

Plus,corn is good for your gutand can help improve digestive health.

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The fiber in corn is great for digestion, adds dietitianVanessa Rissetto, MS, RD.

That [corn] is high in fiber means it aids in gut health, Rissetto says.

It can trigger allergic reactions for some folks

Corn is overall a great addition to your diet.

A hand is stirring a sourdough starter in a glass jar, on a kitchen countertop. The light casts a warm glow, highlighting the ingredients inside the jar.

registered dietitian and longevity nutritionist

However, that is unless you have an allergy to this golden veg.

If thats the case, Rissetto says to steer clear of corn.

However, proper food safety regulation and sourcing should prevent this pop in of corn contamination in most cases.

Frozen beef steaks on brownish packaging paper. Light effect.

Keep in mind thatmycotoxins are heat-resistant, meaning that cooking themwontnecessary destroy them.

However, soaking the vegetable can help remove (and reduce) the levels of phytate present.

Is all corn good for you?

Woman shopping in a grocery store with a basket

But in Meltons opinion, the fear over GMOs is unfounded (in corn and otherwise).

Theres no need to avoid GMO corn, she says.

Of course, this is a somewhat controversial stance in the wellness world.

Bottom line: In case youre still wondering,is corn healthy?

What is the healthiest way to eat corn?

There are probably a million and one ways to eat corn.

From popcorn to grilled to muffins, the healthy options for eating corn are endless.

Or, if the heat is simply unbearable outside, this super-refreshingcorn salsa recipewill do the trick.

However, keep in mind that canned or frozen corn may have slightly higher amounts of sodium.

One of the best ways to mitigate these levels is simply giving it a good rinse.

How to make gluten-free corn arepas:

Sheng, Siyuan, et al.

Corn Phytochemicals and Their Health Benefits.Food Science and Human Wellness, vol.

3, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2018.09.003.

Pellegrino, Elisa et al.

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