Popcorn is a healthy and versatile snack, but it’s much more than that. According to the story, archaeologists found evidence of popcorn being made and eaten in a thousand-year-old tomb in Peru, and it has been around in the United States since the 1800s.
If you think of popcorn as a low-calorie alternative to other crunchy snacks like chips, you might be surprised to learn that these perfectly popped kernels contain more iron than spinach or eggs. Not only that, but plain popcorn is also rich in protein and is a great source of dietary fiber as it is made up of whole grains. In fact, it will provide phenolic acids and antioxidants to ease the effects on your digestive system, and it’s gluten-free! All in all, there are plenty of reasons to incorporate popcorn into your daily routine, but is it really a good idea? As with most foods, it depends on how you prepare it.
What happens if you eat microwave popcorn every day?
More: https://www.mashed.com/243824/when-you-eat-popcorn-every-day-this-is-what-happens/?utm_campaign=clip If you’re a big fan of popcorn, this is available. You’ve heard of popcorn lung, but it’s not something you should worry about… unless you’ve been eating two bags of microwave popcorn every day for ten years. That’s what a man named Wayne Watson did, and it resulted in a nasty case of popcorn lung (via CBS News ). Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis, damages the small airways in the lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath (via WebMD).
A variety of chemicals, from metal fumes to ammonia, can cause this disease. However, the nickname “popcorn lung” comes from the many popcorn factory workers who became ill after inhaling microwave popcorn fumes over the years. Diacetyl, the chemical believed to be responsible, was found in butter flavoring but was removed by major brands (via Healthline) in 2007. Unfortunately, some people have suggested that the replacement chemicals pose a health risk (see How They Work).
For years, microwave popcorn bags have been lined with chemicals called PFCs, one of which (PFOA) has been linked to cancer. In 2011, popcorn companies voluntarily removed carcinogens. That same year, US companies stopped producing three other PFCs, and the FDA banned them in 2016 (via EWG). Although these chemicals have been eliminated, many remain and their potential effects are still unknown. The truth is, they just don’t need fresh popcorn.
