Food that tastes good isn't often associated with being a healthy snack choice, but sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too!—well, in this case, you’ll be eating popcorn. We’ll discuss the hidden health benefits of eating popcorn, which is one of the healthiest snack habits you can have. Popcorn is filled with fiber, has more antioxidants than some fruits and vegetables, and may even help to combat cancer, some studies have shown.
If you’re wondering whether or not eating popcorn is a healthy alternative to the snacks you’re used to munching on, you have to consider the type of popcorn you’re buying. If it’s air-popped popcorn and not the movie theater popcorn you’re used to—half-drowned in butter and burnt—then you’ll be happy about the answer. Read on below to learn more about how the right kind of popcorn, like the Flavor Wrapped Popcorn Kernels we sell at Opopop, can be a healthy snack option, and why you can add it to your list of healthy snacks.
Popcorn Is Packed With Polyphenols
Once exclusively reserved for movie nights, this simple snack is actually loaded with more polyphenols than vegetables and fruit. You’re probably wondering what polyphenol is. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant found in plant foods associated with helping to prevent cancer and neutralizing free radicals that cause damage to our body’s cells. Just one serving of popcorn has roughly 13% of your daily polyphenols requirements.
According to a 2019 analysis in Antioxidants, popcorn is packed with polyphenols, which are proven to reduce inflammation. Unlike popcorn, the polyphenols in fruits and vegetables are heavily diluted because most fruits and vegetables consist of 90 percent water. Conversely, popcorn is made up of about 4 percent water, so the polyphenols are much more highly concentrated, especially in the hard shells of the popcorn kernels.
According to one study, a serving of popcorn can contain up to 300 mg of polyphenols, which would account for roughly 13 percent of the average American’s daily intake. Fruit and vegetables account for roughly 250 mg of polyphenols per day, which essentially means popcorn is better for you than fruits and vegetables!—we’re kidding; of course, the key difference between fruits and vegetables and popcorn is that popcorn doesn’t have many other vitamins and nutrients, so, unfortunately, you can’t completely replace fruits and vegetables in your diet.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, they cite one of the main health advantages of an increase of polyphenols in your daily intake is their ability to block enzymes that cancers need to grow and, in doing so, polyphenols can help regulate the spread of cancerous cells. The traditional way of getting your fill of these healthy antioxidants is by eating fruits and vegetables. Still, the high concentration of polyphenols in popcorn makes eating popcorn a healthy alternative. Since polyphenols can also prevent inflammation and plaque buildup, foods rich in them may help to prevent other conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
Popcorn Is A Healthy Whole Grain
Popcorn is also one of the few go-to snacks that aren’t jam-packed with high-fructose corn syrup or other empty-calorie additives and are naturally 100 percent whole grain. It’s a high-quality carbohydrate source that’s low in calories and is also a great source of your daily fiber intake. Three cups of popcorn are the equivalent to one ounce of whole grains, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of your recommended daily whole grain intake. Eating more popcorn is a great way to get more fiber in your diet without trying because you’ll be too busy enjoying the taste.
Just because Popcorn is healthy doesn’t mean it has to be boring; that’s why our Flavor Wrapped Popcorn Kernels are individually bathed in flavor using the super-secret, proprietary Opopop flavor delivery process. It’s the perfect mix of gourmet ingredients wrapped around each kernel like a tasty flavor hug. We like to tow the line between sweet and savory and we offer a wide array of snack options and flavors like Fancy Butter, Vanilla Cake Pop, Cinnalicious, Chedapeno, Maui Heat, and Salted Umami. Check out our Online Shop for the full snack lineup, and we’ll ensure you never go back to boring snacking again.
We Take Flavor Seriously.
Our team has built a delicious spectrum of flavors, and we've wrapped each kernel in gourmet tastiness for you to enjoy. Pick your favorite, pour it into your popper, and have a tasty microwave popcorn snack like no other.
Here at Opopop, we’re on a mission to liberate you from boring popcorn with unexpected flavors, new ways to pop, and a complete reinvention of your favorite snack. We make delicious gourmet popcorn, optimized for eating. Go on, treat yourself. Shop Now