Corn can be quite divisive. On the one hand, it has lots of nutrients that are good for you. On the other hand, corn has a negative reputation because of its use in highly processed products like corn syrup and corn oil.

Did you know corn contains thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folate, and vitamin C. A single serving of corn provides about 35% of your daily vitamin C needs. Corn also has a good amount of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese, alongside several grams of dietary fiber and a decent amount of protein.

Most health concerns involving corn aren’t because of corn on the cob or frozen kernels. Rather, these come from processed foods that use corn in them, such as corn syrup and cornstarch. It’s not the corn itself that is bad for you, but all the additional additives to these products that make them unhealthy.

Eating corn on its own or even air-popped popcorn won’t hurt you. Whether you choose to add corn to your diet comes down to personal preference. So you can have your corn and eat it too (or not!)

By Diane Alavie, BSc. Phm.