Cornmeal: benefits and harms. What you need to know about cornmeal: its benefits and harms, as well as its use in various fields

In terms of nutritional properties, it does not exceed wheat flour, however, it is easily digestible, dietary and gluten-free.

Cornmeal comes in coarse, medium and fine grinding. In baking, the finest grade of flour is used. Coarse grinding is perfect for the production of breading, dietary and baby food.

The benefits of corn flour for humans are due to its balanced composition. The list of useful components includes:

• Saturated and unsaturated acids
• Potassium, iron, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium
• Alimentary fiber
• vegetable protein
• starch compounds
• VitaminsPP, B1, B2, E, A
• beta carotene
• Amino acids 18 types (tryptophan, valine, lysine, thiamine, histidine, methionine, arginine, isoleucine and others)

Despite the significant nutritional value of corn flour (331 kcal per 100 g), dishes based on it are famous for their lightness, and when properly prepared, they do not harm the figure. In addition, cornmeal is popular in nutrition, alternative medicine and used in cosmetic products.

Harm

Harm of cornmeal

Since the number of genetically modified foods has increased in the world today, corn flour can be harmful to humans if it is produced from such raw materials. Since 2014, the production of GMO corn has been officially allowed on the territory of the European Union, so it is better to purchase flour from domestic producers.

Particular attention should be paid to the location of the fields where corn is grown. The grass is able to absorb nitrates and various synthetic substances from fertilizers, as well as harmful impurities from the soil. The harm of cornmeal in this case can result in severe allergic manifestations and the development of oncological pathologies.

Corn flour is contraindicated in diagnosing:

• Anorexia, exhaustion
• Increased stomach acid
• Thrombosis of high blood coagulation
• Severe diseases of the liver, intestines, gallbladder
• Ulcerative lesions of the digestive organs

To minimize the harm of cornmeal, you should pay attention to the appearance of the product before buying.

If yellow mold is found on the flour, this indicates that the corn has been contaminated with carcinogens.

Benefit

Benefits of cornmeal

The main benefit of this type of flour is its gluten-free composition and the ability to cleanse the intestines qualitatively. Cornmeal is a dietary product, it does not contain fat at all.

The presence of thiamine in the list of incoming components determines the normal activity of the brain, a stable state of the nervous system. The presence of phosphorus in products based on cornmeal allows you to normalize the pH balance, relieve inflammation in tissues, cleanse the epidermis of rashes.

The benefits of cornmeal are in its effect on the body:

• Hemoglobin increase, hematopoiesis normalization
• Prevention of cardiovascular disease
• Normalization of metabolism
• Lowering blood pressure
• Strengthening tooth enamel, bone tissue
• Regulation of blood glucose levels
• Breakdown of kidney stones
• Elimination of inflammatory processes in the bladder
• Anti-aging
• Elimination of constipation, normalization of digestive functions
• Positive effect on the epidermis, elimination of acne
• Prevention of the development of hemorrhoids, oncological processes in the digestive organs
• Treatment of anemia, it improves the functioning of the hematopoietic organs

Due to the absence of gluten in flour, dishes based on it are recommended for use by people suffering from intolerance to this substance. In alternative medicine recipes, cornmeal is used to treat stomach disorders, inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, and polio.

This flour has a diuretic effect, it removes excess fluid from the body.

Also, cornmeal can be used even by diabetics, since the carbohydrates in it do not increase, but reduce blood sugar levels.

How to make cornmeal at home

It is best to get cornmeal from whole grains of cereals, but at home it will not be possible to obtain fine grinding. To do this, you need a powerful device in the form of a food processor or coffee grinder, and the mixture must be ground several times, spending a lot of time.

Corn grits can be used to obtain finely ground flour. It needs to be poured into a coffee grinder and grind several times. Such cornmeal can be used to add to bread, muffins, tortillas, pancakes. Based on cornmeal, you can cook a traditional Italian dish - polenta.

For this you will need:

• 1 cup corn flour
• Water (3 glasses)
• Butter (vegetable) oil

For cooking polenta, dishes with a thick bottom and walls are taken. Flour, water are poured, the mixture is cooked after boiling for 40 minutes until a good thick consistency. You can use a little trick: during cooking, the mixture is whipped with an immersion blender to obtain a uniform texture. At the end of cooking, salt the polenta, add oil and leave to cool. Before serving, cut the prepared polenta into portions.

Corn flour during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Dishes based on this product are not contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, since the harm of cornmeal in the absence of contraindications is completely excluded. During pregnancy, on the basis of flour, you can cook various dishes and eat them safely. In the lactation period, it is better to introduce corn flour gradually to avoid gas formation and colic in the newborn.

Useful properties of cornmeal for pregnant and lactating women:

• Normalization of blood pressure
• Constipation Prevention
• Hemoglobin increase
• Removal of inflammation of the urinary system
• Normalization of the state of the body after childbirth
• Stimulation of bile excretion
• Entry into the baby's body of useful trace elements necessary for its proper development and growth

Pregnant and breastfeeding women can eat meals based on cornmeal regularly. In no case were allergic manifestations or negative effects of the product on the body recorded. However, do not forget about the quality of flour from different manufacturers and give preference to the product of domestic brands.

ADDITIONALLY

Corn flour in cosmetology

Corn flour is valued in cosmetology due to its powerful absorbent properties. Vitamin C, which is part of the product, rejuvenates the epidermis, tightens weakened tissues, stimulates the production of collagen. Starch compounds reduce the fat content of the skin, eliminate excess sebum.

The benefits of cornmeal for the body will be fully manifested if you use it as a scrub. A coarse grind product is ideal. It is necessary to steam the body well and apply flour to the areas affected by cellulite, massaging thoroughly. For effectiveness, the procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a week.

Perfectly cleanses and tones oily skin with a mask based on cornmeal. As additional ingredients, they take part of the blue clay and a strong decoction of lemon balm. The mask is recommended to be applied to the cleansed skin of the face in a dense layer and hold for 20 minutes.

To remove blackheads and neutralize breakouts, cornmeal is mixed with egg white foam. The resulting mixture is applied to the face until completely dry, and then washed off with warm water.

Cornmeal has always been in great demand for use by different peoples of the world, who highly appreciate the beneficial properties of the product. In the article you will learn - corn flour benefits and harm to the body, types, preparation and use.

From this article you will learn:

Corn flour

Corn flour plays a very important role in the cuisine of the peoples of Central and South America, which is not surprising, because the region is the actual homeland of corn. Nowadays, both there and all over the world, bread and cakes, confectionery products, snacks, and snacks are made from cornmeal. In addition, this ingredient can be found in various sauces and seasonings, where it is used as a thickener.

How long has cornmeal been used

European civilization got acquainted with corn in the 15th century thanks to Columbus and did not immediately recognize the wonderful nutritional qualities of this plant. And the Indians of South America and the territories adjacent to the Caribbean Sea at that time had been using maize for food for several thousand years.

From the history

Moreover, corn flour, in addition to baking bread and using it in dishes, was used to create drinks. The most common of these is atole, which is made from cornmeal, fruits, and various spices. Atole is traditionally cooked and drunk on the most important Mexican holiday - the Day of the Dead.

In the 16th century, cornmeal found its way into European cuisines. However, Europe has not been able to overtake America in terms of the popularity of corn - today the United States and Mexico produce and consume half of the total crop in the world.

How to make cornmeal

In the production of flour, the method of dry separation of the germ is used, in which the peeled grains are softened for two hours to soften the shells. After that, they are easily separated from the endosperm going for grinding. Characteristically, the embryo is completely or partially separated from the endosperm and sifted out at further stages of processing. The fact is that on roller machines, the shells of the grain and the germ are not crushed, but flattened, and the endosperm is easily broken into small fractions.

In Russian stores, corn flour is akin to a scarce product, as it is considered a little-demanded product. Therefore, fans of this product often have to grind corn on their own, using household coffee grinders or blenders (in a glass for grinding nuts).

Not whole grains, but cereals are taken as the feedstock, since it has already been cleaned and is easier to break (whole corn grain is harder than coffee, so they can also burn the equipment). Of course, in terms of grade, the resulting flour will be more of a grain, but this, as a rule, is enough.

Types of corn flour

Cornmeal is classified according to two characteristic features: coarseness of grinding and color. In the first case, there are three categories:

1. Coarse corn flour is obtained in industrial production in stone millstones, and this information is directly indicated by the manufacturers on the packaging. This product is considered the most useful and dietary.
2. Flour of medium size fractions is usually used in bakery production.
3. Finely ground flour from corn grains is a kind of the highest grade, obtained on modern equipment with metal millstones. Contains a maximum of gluten and a minimum of bran impurities, so it is good for puddings, desserts for children, confectionery.

According to the color of the grain from which flour is produced, it happens:

• blue. It really has a purple or bluish tint. It has the sweetest taste.
• yellow. The most popular variety, as it is made from yellow corn, which is the main one around the world.
• Red. It has a rich corn flavor. It is most popular in Spain, where polenta is made from it.
• white flour Produced in the southern regions of the United States and in Africa from grains of white sweet corn.

Corn flour: composition and calorie content

The largest share in the composition of corn flour is carbohydrates, occupying 72% of the total mass. This means that in 100 grams of dry matter there is half the amount of carbohydrates that is required for daily consumption. Protein compounds account for 7-8%, fats - 1.5%, and another 14% and 4.4% are occupied by water and fiber, respectively. The rest of the product is made up of the following nutrients (in parentheses - the proportion of the daily adequate intake):

• vitamin A: 33 mcg (3.7%);
• beta-carotene: 0.2 mg (4%);
• thiamine (B1): 0.35 mg (23.3%);
• riboflavin (B2): 0.13 mg (7.2%);
• tocopherol (E): 0.6 mg (4%);
• PP: 3 mg (15%);
• K: 147 mg (5.9%);
• Cl: 20 mg (2%);
• Na: 7 mg (0.5%);
• Mg: 30 mg (7.5%);
• Ph: 109 mg (13.6%);
• Fe: 109 mg (15%).

The beneficial properties of corn flour for the body are also due to the presence of a number of amino acids: arginine, histidine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and leucine.

cornmeal calories

Cornmeal benefits and harm to the body

The chemical composition of this flour gives it a number of useful properties that help the body work better, get rid of excess and waste more efficiently.

Dietary fiber has a significant impact - 100 grams of the product contains 22% of the amount that a person needs to consume per day. Dietary fiber greatly aids digestion for two reasons. First, passing through the intestines, they carry out its mechanical cleaning, "sweeping" undigested food residues and ballast. Secondly, the irritation exerted by the fibers on the walls of the digestive organs produces a massage effect - blood flow increases, thereby stimulating metabolism and muscle function.

The vitamins, minerals and amino acids that make up cornmeal have the following beneficial effects on the body:

• facilitate the work of the digestive system with constipation and obstruction;
• contributes to the normalization of urinary function and the removal of inflammation from the organs of the genitourinary system;
• prevents tissue aging;
• helps to remove "bad" cholesterol from the circulatory system, improves blood circulation;
• helps to reduce pressure;
• due to the large amount of thiamine, it stimulates the work of the central nervous system and the brain;
• stimulates the growth of muscle mass;
• improves appearance, skin condition, hair and nail health.

On a note!

Despite the high calorie content, cornmeal is considered an effective dietary supplement. The reason for this is the cleansing effect of dietary fiber, described earlier.

The situation is similar with carbohydrates. With a fairly high content, they do not have a negative effect on diabetics and people at risk. The fact is that this is a complex group of carbohydrates that is slowly broken down and absorbed, so after consuming the product there is no sharp jump in blood sugar levels.

Treatment with cornmeal

• At elevated pressure. Brew 25-30 g of flour in a glass of hot water, insist overnight. Take in the morning, drinking in small sips. Continue the course until the symptom is relieved.
• Hypertension. Steam 50 g of flour in 0.35 liters of hot water. Consume during the day in small portions.
• With inflammatory processes of the bladder. 1 tbsp Pour into half a liter of boiling water, boil for 20-25 minutes over low heat. Drink 2 tbsp. l. before eating.
• Stones in the kidneys. Mix well 25 g of flour in 2 tbsp. hot water. Consume 1 teaspoon three times a day.
• Inflammation of the liver. Crush 15 g each of violet, sunflower and wild strawberry flowers, add 1 tbsp. l. cornmeal and pour 0.5-0.6 liters of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Drink 30 minutes before meals for 21 days.

Corn flour: contraindications and harm

Ground corn, despite all its advantages, has several contraindications that should not be neglected:

This product is not suitable for those with increased blood clotting. The fact is that this type of flour quickly thickens the blood, so it can only worsen the patient's situation. If the human body has a tendency to create blood clots, the consumption of crushed corn should be kept to a minimum.

You can not use ground corn mixture for people with problems of the digestive system. Flour can exacerbate any disease of the intestines or stomach and even make it chronic.

Since ground corn increases the waste of bile, it should be carefully introduced into the diet of people with diseases of the biliary tract and liver.

Due to its growing characteristics, namely because of fertilizers, ground corn is not recommended for people with allergies to various foods, with a tendency to diathesis. You can not give dishes from such flour immediately after major operations. Cornmeal should also be avoided by those who suffer from underweight, i.e. has a low appetite or suffers from anorexia.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that many countries use GMO corn, so purchased foreign flour may not be very useful. In addition, corn quickly accumulates nitrates and forms carcinogens, so you need to be sure in the conditions of its cultivation and storage. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting cancer.

Corn flour: how to store

At first glance, the conditions for keeping corn flour are very universal. Packaging for this product must be sealed and clean. You can choose a small jar - preferably with darkened walls - and put it in a darkened corner, as protected as possible from moisture and pest invasion. If insects appear in the corn mixture, they can be removed by adding a couple of garlic heads to the container.

With all the ease of storage, it must be borne in mind that corn flour is very capricious about irritating factors. If it is nevertheless exposed to light or exposed to heat, it inevitably acquires a nasty taste and a pungent smell. Such changes occur due to the abundance of fatty acids in the composition, so you need to save corn flour, otherwise it will not be possible to use it. It is also necessary to carefully monitor that there is no high humidity in the room with flour, otherwise a fungus that is dangerous to humans due to the formation of toxins will multiply in the package.

The shelf life of corn flour, unfortunately, is not too long. With an ideal temperature regime, it should be used within six months (or even three months is better). If the flour was ground at home, it should not be kept for more than 14 days. In this case, it is necessary to regularly check the product.

Fields of application of corn flour

food industry. The gluten of ground corn, as well as a number of its other chemical features, makes it possible to use flour in the process of creating sausages, as well as in brewing. Cornmeal is often added to a range of edibles just to slow down carbohydrate fermentation. In this way, manufacturers increase the shelf life.

Medicine. Cornmeal has a number of medicinal qualities, so it is used to prevent cancer and heart disease, improve metabolism, lower blood pressure, treat anemia, tuberculosis, epilepsy, constipation, diabetes, etc.

Dietology. Most cornmeal dishes can be made with minimal sugar levels, so they are suitable for fasting days or large-scale strict diets. Ground corn perfectly saturates the body, and helps athletes gain muscle mass.

Cosmetology. Both homemade and professional products for the skin of the face and hands are obtained from ground corn. For example, you can make masks with anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, exfoliating properties, as well as with a lifting effect. Most often, corn flour is mixed in cosmetic preparations with white clay, honey, egg white, yogurt. Also, products with ground corn help in strengthening hair and in the fight against cellulite.

Fishing. Cornmeal helps to make very high quality bait for catching freshwater whitefish when kneaded into a dough.

Corn flour in the kitchen

Abroad, ground corn is very popular due to its taste and dietary qualities. In Russia, far from every housewife is ready to use flour of this type, although fears are completely in vain.

First of all, cornmeal can make a great soft and airy dough. Pancakes, muffins, cookies, pies are baked on its basis. Thanks to fine flour made from corn, the legendary corn flakes were born - a favorite quick breakfast for children and teenagers. For baby food, corn porridge is also of great importance. And adults have long liked such an appetizer as corn chips.

Also with the addition of this product they create soups and casseroles, main dishes that make up the national cuisine of many countries. Sometimes cornmeal is added to pasta to give it a nice color. But flour grinding plays a big role here:

Coarse grinding of flour helps to create only some confectionery, delicious breading and crumbly crispy bread. In Mexico and Spain, such crushed corn is used to make a signature dish - polenta.

Medium grind corn is suitable for making hominy, Mexican tortillas, South American drinks.

The finest corn flour is used in the preparation of the most fluffy and airy buns, cakes and pancakes.

Video: the benefits and harms of cornmeal

Corn is a large annual cereal and is considered one of the oldest crops mastered by mankind 7-12 thousand years ago. Today, they occupy approximately 132 million hectares of land, and the annual harvest is about 450 million tons.

Approximately half of the world's crop comes from the United States, where local farmers grow corn for domestic pastures. The grain of this culture is intended not only for human nutritional needs. It is also the main feed for livestock and poultry. In this article, we will look at questions such as:

• Cornmeal, its benefits and harm to humans.
• Areas of application of cornmeal.
• Properties.

Corn and harm

Fresh corn is one of the favorite foods of many people. The grains of this wonderful cereal can be eaten boiled and dried (popcorn). It is also very popular, which is an indispensable ingredient in many home cooking dishes. Cereals are also made from corn, intended for making tasty and healthy porridge. An equally popular product is corn flour, which is widely used by many culinary specialists for the preparation of a variety of pastries.

The benefits of cornmeal lie in its high nutritional properties. A variety of products made from such a component are well absorbed by the body, improve digestion and metabolism.

You can often hear this question: “Is cornmeal healthy?” To answer it, you should consider in more detail the chemical composition and nutritional value of this product. The composition of the flour includes many minerals, such as: calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, groups B (B1, B2), vitamins PP and E, starch and beta-carotene.

Despite the fact that this product has a fairly high calorie content (331 kcal per 100 g), some types of bread baked from it can be used as a diet food and promote weight loss.

The benefits of cornmeal have long been known in folk medicine. This wonderful product is used for poliomyelitis, strengthens blood vessels, normalizes the functioning of the heart, stimulates bile secretion, increases hemoglobin and even prolongs youth. In diseases such as tuberculosis and chronic disorders of the digestive system, cornmeal is also an indispensable food product.

What are the properties of corn flour? The useful qualities of this product are known for various inflammatory processes of the gallbladder, hypertension and nephrolithiasis. Many athletes try to include meals prepared with cornmeal in their diet due to its high nutritional value.

It should be noted that this product does not include gluten (gluten) - a protein substance contained in white grains (wheat, rye, etc.). Persons suffering from a disease such as celiac disease are prohibited from eating gluten-containing foods. In this case, patients with a diet can use corn flour as an alternative to wheat or rye. However, products made from it should not be eaten if:

• You have increased blood clotting. Cornmeal contributes to the thickening of the blood, therefore, with such a disease, its use should be minimized.
• There are any pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, cornmeal products should be consumed with caution in order to avoid exacerbations of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

Application

What other properties does cornmeal have? The benefits and harms of this product have been described above. Consider additional uses for cornmeal.

It is known that this product is used in completely unexpected areas. For example, flour is widely used in fishing as a bait for white fish. In addition, it is used as a binder in the manufacture of various sausages, brewing, etc. Another important property of it is slowing down the fermentation of carbohydrates, and therefore products with the addition of such a component retain their shelf life longer.

The use of corn flour is known in various fields of human activity. Most often it is used in cooking. In addition to a variety of pastries, this product is used in the manufacture of corn flakes, which are so loved by modern children. Coarse flour is used mainly for baking bread and confectionery. For the production of the most magnificent and airy culinary creations, a finely ground product is used. Dishes such as pancakes, pancakes, bakery products, pies, various cookies and cakes, desserts, soups, main courses, etc. are made from cornmeal.

Corn flour is also used in cosmetology. Recipes for various face and hand masks made using this product are known.

to smooth wrinkles

2 tbsp. spoons of cornmeal should be mixed with the protein of 1 egg until foam is formed. Using a cotton swab, apply a thin layer on the skin of the face or hands. After 20 minutes, the mask must be washed off or wiped with a damp cloth. To achieve the effect of narrowing the pores, the face should be rinsed with cold water and applied with a nourishing cream.

Exfoliating mask

A tablespoon of honey must be mixed with Art. a spoonful of cornmeal. You can use the resulting mass as a scrub or mask. It is advisable to apply the mass in a circular motion. After 10 minutes, the residue must be washed off.

Lifting mask

1 st. a spoonful of white clay should be mixed with Art. a spoonful of flour. Add 2 tbsp. tablespoons of strong brewed black tea and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, then mix the mass until smooth. For dry skin, brewed tea can be replaced with yogurt.

Apply the mask on your face, wait 20 minutes. After the end of the procedure, the residues should be washed off.

Acne mask with cornmeal

2 tbsp. spoons of cornmeal must be mixed with 2 tbsp. spoons of liquid soap. Add 2 tbsp. tablespoons crushed almond powder and 1-2 tbsp. spoons of apple cider vinegar.

Such a mask has an extremely beneficial effect on the condition of oily facial skin, and will also help get rid of acne and various skin inflammations. This acne remedy can be used daily, leaving it on the face until completely dry.

What can replace cornmeal

Often, when making culinary masterpieces, housewives come across recipes with such an ingredient as cornmeal. Often this product is not available in household stocks. The question arises: "What can replace cornmeal?"

If the house does not have such an ingredient, you can cook it yourself. This requires ordinary corn grits and a coffee grinder. Dry groats should be thoroughly ground until flour is formed.

After grinding, grains may remain in the flour. In this case, it can be sifted through a sieve, and large unground particles can be removed.

Conclusion

So, we examined what properties cornmeal has, what its benefits and harms are. Let's pay a little attention to the problem of genetically modified products that have filled domestic shelves in the 21st century.

Recently, the cultivation of corn from genetically modified seeds has been expanding and increasing every year. What is the danger of GMOs?

GMO products are obtained by introducing “target genes” into the gene structure of plants in order to endow them with new properties. Thus, an artificial acceleration of evolution is produced.

Due to the lack of research in this area, one can be afraid of the excessive consumption of any corn products, since most corn grains are grown using this technology.

Less common than wheat, corn flour, the benefits and harms of which are not known to everyone, also deserves attention. It is made from special varieties of yellow corn. Dishes from it have an unusual taste, in addition, they are recognized as dietary.

Beneficial features

Cornmeal has a fairly rich composition. It contains important minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins E, A, PP, some B vitamins. It also contains amino acids necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

But if you compare corn flour with the much more popular wheat flour, then it will lose. In wheat, useful substances are present in a much larger volume, including amino acids. But still, cornmeal has its advantages, making its introduction into the diet justified. For example, bread from it is stored longer. In addition, it saturates quickly and for a long time. Therefore, such a product is very much appreciated by travelers, it is also recommended for use by athletes and other people whose occupation involves significant physical exertion.

An important feature of corn is that it does not contain gluten. Therefore, products made from this flour can be safely eaten by those who suffer from celiac disease - a disease in which this protein is not absorbed by the body.

Another quality is very much appreciated by those who want to lose weight. Cornmeal is used to prepare low-calorie food that helps to get rid of extra pounds. It is also suitable for fasting days, especially after prolonged holidays. You just need to consider the method of preparing dishes from the product. When baking at home, you should use the minimum amount of eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil. When purchasing finished products in the store, it is recommended to study the composition. Some additives, for example, increase calories, which means they reduce usefulness.

Effect on the body

Cornmeal has many health benefits. The substances that it contains allow you to achieve the following effect:

• get rid of kidney stones;
• strengthen bones and teeth;
• relieve inflammation in the bladder, which is accompanied by painful urination;
• lower sugar levels, which is especially important for diabetics.

Flour also has other qualities. It helps to form muscle tissue, so it is useful for children and those who are actively involved in sports. In addition, it helps to keep youthful and healthy appearance longer. If you regularly include dishes from cornmeal in your diet, then the skin condition will gradually improve, the complexion will become fresher. The product provokes the renewal of the epidermis at the cellular level.

The condition of the body flour from corn changes for the better. It helps to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It contains enough fiber, which cleanses the body of harmful substances, stimulates intestinal motility, and helps to get rid of constipation. There is an opinion that this product reduces the risk of tumors in the colon. It also reduces the chance of hemorrhoids.

Another feature - this flour has a choleretic effect. Therefore, dishes from it are recommended for a diet with some problems with the liver and gallbladder.

The product contains vitamin B1. It is needed for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, it also improves blood circulation and metabolism. Iron is needed for hematopoietic processors, it is also necessary for saturating all tissues of the body with oxygen. It is recommended to use flour for anemia.

Meals based on corn flour are allowed to be eaten by pregnant women and young children, this will help provide the body with important substances. But the reaction of the kids must be carefully monitored so as not to miss a possible allergy.

Contraindications

Despite all the positive qualities, there are contraindications to the use of this product. It is important to know that it is capable of provoking blood clots. Therefore, for those diagnosed with a tendency to develop blood clots, corn products are recommended to be avoided. For the same reason, they are undesirable for people who are recovering from surgery.

prevents weight gain. This is a positive quality for those who are struggling with extra pounds. But people for whom the problems of underweight, lack of appetite, anorexia are relevant, such food should be abandoned.

Flour can be used in cosmetology. If you mix it with egg white, you get a mask that is effective against acne.

With exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cornbread and other similar products are not recommended. Due to the fact that the product provokes the release of bile, with diseases of the liver and gallbladder, it is worth eating in moderation. In some cases, it will benefit, in others, on the contrary, it will worsen the condition. Need a doctor's consultation. Children who are prone to diathesis should be given cornmeal with caution.

It is worth knowing that genetically modified corn is often found. There is not enough information about what harm such a product will cause to the body. But when buying products from this plant, it is advisable to pay attention to the mark that the raw materials were used unchanged.

How to use

You can buy cornmeal in the store ready-made or grind the groats yourself. True, with such processing, part of the useful substances will be lost. If the question arose of what to cook, then there are many options. The easiest is to make porridge, which is perfect for breakfast on fasting days. It is recommended to boil it in water without adding salt or sugar.

To create more appetizing dishes, you can use one of the following recipes and get unusual cakes.

• In 1.5 cups of corn flour, add a small spoonful of baking powder, a little salt and a glass of kefir. You need to constantly stir to avoid the appearance of lumps. When the mass becomes a homogeneous consistency, you need to add the zest of one lemon. Next, you need to form cakes of the desired shape and fry them on both sides in a pan in vegetable oil so that a golden crust appears.
• Tortillas. This is a Mexican dish, very thin tortillas or pancakes. To get them, you need to mix 3 cups of flour with salt and baking powder (a small spoon each), a tablespoon of vegetable oil and gradually pour in a glass of hot water. It is advisable to knead the dough with your hands. When it becomes homogeneous, form a ball out of it and leave it for 10 minutes in a container covered with a towel. After that, it must be cut into several parts and rolled out very thinly. Fry the resulting cakes in a pan without adding oil.

You can find other recipes for cooking dishes from cornmeal. These are various cakes and other pastries, hominy, bread, pancakes and pancakes, even chips. Many of them are dietary and great for weight loss.

• To normalize high blood pressure, a tablespoon of the substance must be dissolved in a glass of warm water. You need to drink the remedy in the morning, in small sips.
• For inflammation of the bladder, dissolve 50 g of flour in a glass of water and boil the remedy over low heat for about half an hour. Take a tablespoon before each meal.
• The following remedy will help get rid of kidney stones. 2 small spoons of the product are poured with hot water and drunk during the day for three times.

Cornmeal has an unusual flavor. Therefore, dishes with it at first may not seem very pleasant. But if you use them regularly, you will soon be able to fully appreciate them, especially if you do not forget about the beneficial qualities. In addition, the product helps to achieve a slim figure.

Hello friends. I'm in touch, Natalya Bulanova. Very often in our kitchens different types of flour are now used. Undoubtedly, the most common -. But nevertheless, flour from other cereals is also popular. Today the topic of my article is the benefits and harms of cornmeal.

Let's take a closer look at this topic.

Man has been growing corn for a very long time. They began to eat it about 10 thousand years ago in America (modern Mexico). And it came to Europe later thanks to the navigators.

In this article, you will learn the following:

Composition and quality

I present to you the composition and calorie content of corn flour.

Dietary corn flour is rich in vitamins H, E, PP, A, C, D, B9 and salts K, Na, Mg.

Today there is GOST 14176-69 Corn flour. Specifications. It has been in force since 1970 (reissued with changes in 2006).

The glycemic index of corn grits is 70.

Glycemic index is a measure of the effect of food after consumption on blood glucose levels.

The glycemic index of regular glucose is 100.

Benefit and harm

Is cornmeal healthy? Undoubtedly.

1. First of all, the benefits of cornmeal is that it contains vitamins and mineral salts, which I mentioned above.
2. Its use has a very beneficial effect on the digestive system, human metabolism.
3. It helps to restore the body after complex operations and serious illnesses.
4. It is recommended for anemia, in violation of biliary, diuretic functions, vascular diseases.

However, there are also disadvantages:

1. People with increased blood clotting should minimize the amount of food they eat from this product.
2. Fertilizers that are used in the cultivation of this cereal can cause an allergic reaction.
3. There may be problems during the period of exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Why is corn flour better than wheat flour?

As I said before, wheat flour ranks first in cooking. Of course, pastries from it are very beautiful, lush and tasty. But in terms of usefulness and nutritional value, any nutritionist will tell you that corn is better.

It slows down the processes of fermentation of carbohydrates and contributes to the normalization of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. Dishes from it are stored longer.

Application

In cooking

In this case, it is clear that corn flour is very actively used by cooks.

In cooking, fine and coarse flour is used. It is added to the composition of bread and national cakes (, mchadi, siskal, etc.), donuts. Corn flakes are made from it, and porridge is also cooked.

In cosmetology

• For the preparation of face masks, thanks to which blackheads and pimples disappear.

Here is the prescription.

• Like a body scrub. In this case, take wholemeal flour.

For weight loss

This product is actively used for weight loss. There are various mono-diets with cornmeal.

Here is one of them.

To be honest, I am very cautious about mono-diets. And, before losing weight in this way, be sure to consult a nutritionist.

Video about the best unloading days

In medicine

In folk medicine, cornmeal is also used. Of course, before being treated, it is necessary to consult with specialists.

With hypertension

From hypertension, various recipes are used.

I bring to your attention two of them.

For diabetes

In diabetes, it is very important that the diet is low in calories, while the food should contain a sufficient amount of coarse fibers.

Cornmeal for diabetes can be consumed because of the content of vitamins and minerals in it. And porridge from it is very useful, as it has a low glycemic index and helps slow down the process of directing glucose in the blood.

Where can I buy

The last thing I want to add to this topic today is where you can buy this product.

It is available in supermarkets today. And if you live far from big stores, you can buy in online store.

And that's all I have for today.

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