That Darn Corn!

Research reported at the 2004 American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) International Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer, by Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues at Cornell University shows that whole grains, such as corn, contain many powerful phytonutrients whose activity has gone unrecognized because common research methods have overlooked them. Dr. Liu's team measured the antioxidant activity of various foods, assigning each a rating based on a formula. Broccoli measured 80, Spinach 81, Apples 98, Bananas 65, but Corn topped them all measuring a whopping 181.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends corn as part of a diet to lower the risk of cancer and promote overall health.

Corn is also rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that have been associated with lowering the risk of chronic disease.

Corn is also a good source of Thiamin which is a nutrient essential to good brain cell health and mental function. The brain uses Thiamin to make a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which is essential for good memory.

Scientific research has determined that corn is a very good aid to prevent iron-deficiency anemia because it increases the absorption of this nutrient up to 50%.

The folic acid in corn is now known to be an important factor in preventing heart disease according to studies that show folic acid can prevent a buildup of homocysteine, whose long-term elevation has been linked to higher rates of heart disease; folic acid helps break it down. Folic acid can also help to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Corn, when cooked, releases cancer-fighting compounds that are actually bound to the vegetable fibers. Additionally, over 60% of the naturally occurring fat in corn is the Essential Fatty Acid powerhouse antioxidant Linoleic Acid aka Omega 6.

It is very unfortunate that many people won't buy a dog food with corn, due to the vast miseducation regarding the true scientific facts of this wonderful ingredient. A study posted on my web site shows the high digestibility factor of corn.

There has been a flurry online activity of well meaning amateurs who don't have a background in nutrition. Think - when people eat raw corn and see the husk in their stool they may not realize that the body has extracted precious nutrients. The corn itself was digested; the shell was just passed on. Nutrition is a science and Kumpi products are formulated from proven research. Be careful that you don't confuse the science of nutrition with the science fiction of marketing hype and advertising.