How cornstarch effect your health-is it good or bad

Corn starch is one of the most popular ingredients in the world. Mainly this is using to soften some baked goods and as a crisp coating to various food like meat and vegetables. And also cornstarch is a famous ingredient to thicken the soups, sauces, dessert, and stews. So cornstarch can use for many purposes such as enhance the taste and the texture of the food. Even you use this as an ingredient, do you aware of the characteristics of the cornstarch whether this is good or bad to consume.

In this article, we are going to discuss the health effects of the cornstarch.

Nutrition properties

Cornstarch is high in calories and carbs. But the problem is this is less in essential healthy nutrients like protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Apart from that, corn starch also contains calories, copper, Selenium, Iron, and Manganese. When you use a small amount of corn starch, such as soups and sauces, you can only get a small number of nutrients rather than carbs and calories.

Health effects 

Even though there is some nutrient in the cornstarch, it affects badly for health. There are various types of adverse effects from this.

• Bad for heart health

Corn starch includes refined carbs, which consider as a highly processed food, and it may cause the depletion of the nutrients too. Studies show that continuous usage of refined carbs may lead to an unhealthy heart. And also food with a high amount of refined carbs and high glycemic index can cause coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

• Increase Blood Sugar Level

High content of carbs is one of the main factors to increase the blood sugar level. Since corn starch has a high content of carbs and high glycemic index, higher consumption of food which includes corn starch may increase the blood sugar level.

And also there is low fibre content. Fibre is an essential nutrient to slow down the absorption of the sugar into the bloodstream. So, with the fewer fibre content, cornstarch digest quickly into the body and it will increase the sugar level.

If you already have type 2 diabetes, or you are in control of sugar food with corn starch is not the right solution. You have to reduce the consumption of the cornstarch from your diet.

How can we consume Cornstarch Healthy?

Now you may think, there are more downsides rather than health benefits in corn starch. But you can still consume cornstarch with a limitation. You can enjoy it in small amounts in a healthy way. Limit the amount into 1-2 tablespoons (8-16 grams) at a time. You can have potato starch, wheat flour, tapioca, and arrowroot instead of corn starch.

Pure cornstarch is naturally gluten-free. So if you have celiac disease or sensitive to gluten, make sure to select certified gluten-free varieties to avoid cross-contamination.