+86 135 2661 5783

DOING HOLDINGS

Henan Jinrui Food Engineering Co., Ltd

Home>FAQ>Is corn starch healthy?

Is corn starch healthy?

Date:December 17, 2015/ FAQ/ Chat online/ Technical support

corn starch healthy

corn starch

Corn starch is a starch derived from corn, and is also referred to as corn flour. It is made when the endosperm, the white piece of the corn kernel, is ground down into a fine white powder. Aside from being a carbohydrate, corn starch alone provides little to no nutritional value to the body, which has lead to its health benefits being debated.

There are some recommendations for using corn starch to balance a diet, either as a food additive or as a specific part of a meal plan. Some dietary supplements actually contain corn starch in them instead of simpler sugars. The reasons behind this are due to the fact that starch takes a lot longer to break down, so it provides sugars to the body over a longer period. The slow release of sugars can lead to more stable blood sugar levels compared to the spikes seen when eating simpler sugars. This is particularly important for those with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Corn starch also offers an alternative to common ingredients and is used as a natural thickening agent in many forms of cooking. It does not contain gluten, so it is commonly used as a substitute for recipes that call for flour as an ingredient. The question regarding its use is whether or not it is a weight conscious choice for a food additive. Corn in any form contains substances that are known as phospholipids, which are fat derivatives, and starch is made from a large number of glucose or sugar molecules. According to research, starch and fat are commonly known to contribute to weight gain.

The issue of weight gain has been one major concern with regular corn starch consumption. It has been rumored that corn starch is used to fatten up animals, such as pigs or cattle, before slaughter. Given that it is used as a thickening agent, weight gain may be a side effect. Adding weight is a desired goal for some, while for those who struggle with weight, the gain is both unnecessary and unwanted, regardless of any potential health benefits.

There are other areas in which corn starch is thought to provide some health benefits. Since it naturally absorbs moisture, it can be used as an alternative to talc in different body powders. Talc has long been linked with some forms of cancer and circulatory system conditions. As corn starch is not linked to these health issues, it is often interchanged with talc and is considered a preferred choice, especially in baby powders.