We’ve got some news that will make your favorite weeknight activity even better. Your go-to Netflix binge-snack just got a whole lot more binge-worthy. Yes, we are talking about popcorn.
Popcorn is a staple of American culture. Its hard for most of us to imagine a childhood without memories of going to movie theaters and buying paper bags full of this buttery treat. As it turns out, making popcorn is indigenous to North American cultures.
In fact, Native Americans developed 700 varieties of popcorn before introducing it to English colonists. They even used it as a decoration for certain clothing attires.2
As if your affliction for this tasty delight couldn’t get any stronger, recent studies suggest that some of the compounds in popcorn have more beneficial health qualities than those same compounds found in some fruits and vegetables. Read on and see for yourself.
According to research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society, “polyphenols”, micro-nutrients rich in antioxidants, are actually more concentrated and plentiful in popcorn than in fruits and vegetables.1
Surprisingly, another finding presented at this meeting was that popcorn hulls — those annoying little brown flakes that get stuck in your teeth — store these helpful nutrients. In other words, popcorn hulls contain the polyphenols beneficial for antioxidant consumption.
While this all seems like good news for those who rip through a bag of popcorn while watching Stranger Things, this convention also noted that the nutritional value of popcorn all depends on how you prepare it.
It should be a no-brainer that lathering your popcorn up with butter or oil instantly makes popcorn less nutritious. Joe Vinson Ph.D., one of the researchers who spoke at this convention, stressed that air-popped popcorn has the lowest amount of calories while microwave popcorn has twice as many calories as air-popped.
In addition, Vinson made it known that popcorn shouldn’t replace fruits and vegetables entirely because they contain vitamins and other nutrients not found in popcorn that are essential for staying healthy.
Reintroducing: Protein Popcorn
Are you hungry yet? Don’t worry, we’ve developed the perfect snack for before and after the gym or even if you just need a protein-filled treat while watching Netflix.
Introducing our Protein Popcorn. With 10 grams of protein per serving, this addition is meant to help you curb your unhealthy cravings.
Choose either Dark Chocolate Sea Salt or Cinnamon Krunch and dive into our latest innovation to feel good about what you snack on next.
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
- American Chemical Society. Popcorn: The snack with even higher antioxidants levels than fruits and vegetables
- Thacker, Phillip. Non-Traditional Feeds for Use in Swine Production. CRC Press.
A Fordham University graduate, Ian majored in communications and media studies with a focus in journalism and a minor in anthropology during his time at college. Here, he wrote for the university newspaper ranked top ten in the nation.
A competitive athlete for most of his life, Ian has spent almost a decade working as an ocean rescue lifeguard in New Jersey. Within that role, he has competed in endurance sports competitions against other lifeguards for the last 8 years.
As a lifelong surfer, Ian spends most of his spare time in the ocean regardless of the time of year. He also enjoys distance running, photography, and frequently spending entirely too much money on concert tickets.
