In the past, I remember popcorn being one of those treats that doctors warned about as not being good for the GI tract especially if you were diagnosed with diverticulitis. Even if you didn’t have that diagnosis, you were probably warned about diet concerns or a variety of other issues attributed to popcorn such as weight gain. It was listed as one of those “white foods.”
If you have watched “Dr. Oz” on TV recently, however, you have seen for yourself that popcorn is his newest addition to the weight loss routine. It needs to be air popped corn and topped with something such as parmesan cheese—not salt and butter!
One study suggests that a couple of servings of popcorn per week can even reduce a person’s risk of developing digestive issues by more than 25% because of the fiber and whole grains it contains. About 70% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract so you need to treat it well. Popcorn has long been a favorite of moviegoers, and research now shows that it could give your gastrointestinal (GI) tract the red-carpet treatment, too.
Popcorn kernels also contain lutein which fights inflammation and also contains magnesium. This makes it an even better way to increase your fiber and that is something your GI tract loves. Popcorn is also great topped with cayenne along with the parmesan for a perfect chip alternative. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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