Sweeten your day with corn-on-the-cob
Few foods are as popular at cookouts than sweet corn-on-the-cob. And contrary to popular belief, the glycemic index (how quickly a food is processed into glucose) for sweet corn is not high (less than 55) and similar to a mango or firm banana (see last week’s post). Click here for a list of foods low and high (above 70) on the glycemic index per Harvard Health. In addition to taste, corn provides important nutritional properties that benefit your heart and mind.
- Eye health: Corn is a rich source of the pigment antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin that help to protect eyes from age-related processes such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Anti-Cancer properties: Cooking corn-on-the-cob releases the powerful antioxidant, ferulic acid, that has been shown exert anti-tumor activity against breast, lung and colon cancers.
- Gut Health: Corn-on-the-cob contains ~3 grams of fiber (8-9% of the recommended daily allowance) to help promote digestion by establishing a healthier gut microbiome.
Michael Miller, MD is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland USA where he takes care of patients, conducts original research and teaches medical students. His latest book “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease” has been Amazon’s #1 Rated book in Heart Disease for 3 years running.
Michael Miller, MD
MASPC, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Dr. Miller is a leading cardiologist and heart health expert whose pioneering research on positive emotions, diet, and physical activity supports the integration of all three modalities for optimal vascular health.