About Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a classic family favorite. During the summer months many people like to enjoy corn on the cob at a barbecue because this food blends well with burgers and hot dogs. Corn is also a delicious healthy vegetable, loaded with plenty of vitamins, making it a great staple for dinner. Corn on the cob contains high levels of vitamin B1, foliate, vitamin C, phosphorus, and vitamin A, as well as many other vitamins. Children also love to chew on corn on the cob because it is fun to eat.

Benefits

Corn on the cob is quick and easy to cook. This golden vegetable is quite nutritious. A study at Illinois State University revealed that the bran found in corn can help to protect the heart. Participants in the study ate corn for several weeks and the end result was a significant drop in triglycerides. The compounds found in corn help to remove cholesterol from the body as it passes through the digestive system. This is yet another reason to keep corn in your diet. This vegetable is also a wonderful source of fiber, which helps to promote healthy digestion.

Time Frame

When boiling corn on the cob, it can take 10 to 15 minutes to cook 5 to 7 ears of corn. If you plan on growing your own corn on the cob for those fun family get-togethers, it can take 2 to 4 months to grow, depending on the species of corn.

Warning

If you plan on growing your own corn, avoid using pesticides or herbicides. Instead you should look into growing organic corn. Some of the pesticides found in conventional produce contribute to certain cancers. This happens because these chemicals are carcinogenic, which means they can cause cancer in some people. If you buy your corn at the store, opt for organic.

Considerations

In order get the highest nutritional content out of corn on the cob, it is important to chew the kernels thoroughly before swallowing. The first stage in the digestive process is in your mouth. Your saliva and chewing helps to break down food, making it easier to digest before the food travels into your stomach. The stomach and other organs can do a much better job extracting the nutrients in time before the food reaches the colon. This is very important when you eat corn, because corn can travel through the system rather quickly.

History

People have been eating corn on the cob for thousands of years. Corn originated in Central America and over the course of hundreds of years, this vegetable has spread across the entire world. Corn was vital to the Native Americans. The Indian people would eat cornmeal and whole kernel corn. Native Americans are also responsible for raising corn to be a much more robust vegetable with a larger cob (see Resources). Corn on the cob has been eaten for many generations, but it became popular in the 1960s as a standard American dish.

Resources

• Native American History of Corn
• History of corn