Having a bowl of popcorn while watching a movie increases the movie-watching experience and enjoyment. But you should be aware of every fact related to this yummy snack. Popcorn is a whole grain that offers valuable fiber and nutrients, such as B vitamins and iron. Just because popcorn is nutritious, it doesn’t mean that it will suit every person.
Popcorn is a famous snack worldwide that has been eaten for decades. Overeating of popcorn can cause diarrhea; this is because of its high content of fiber. The fiber present in popcorns is insoluble, which causes bloating, distention and flatulence in some people. However, eating them can be helpful for those people who want to relieve their constipation.
Popcorns contain high fiber content, with 3 grams of total dietary fiber in 3 cups of popped popcorns. However, this amount of fiber on its own will not cause diarrhea as the daily fiber requirement of men is 38 grams while women’s daily requirement is 5 grams. So, if you’re your overall diet is high in fiber, these cumulative effects will be enough to cause diarrhea.
Additionally, if you have already been suffering from diarrhea, the popcorn fiber content will intensify the symptoms.
Can Buttered Popcorns Cause Diarrhea?
Popcorns with butter topping are a more delicious snack than plain popcorns, but have you ever thought about why you need to go to the toilet more often after eating them? Well, this is because of the fiber content of the popcorns as well as because of the butter topping, which contains lactose. If you are intolerant to lactose and still eat buttered topping popcorns, then diarrhea is a typical side effect.
However, experiencing diarrhea is not a cause of immediate concern, but if this condition goes severe and stays for more than two days, then you should visit your doctor.
Is it Ok to eat popcorn every night?
No doubt, it’s a very pleasant experience to have a popcorn bowl every night while watching a movie. But you should consider its consequences before eating them every night. When you eat popcorn every day, you are taking a lot of insoluble fiber, and there won’t be much soluble fiber to balance it out, the fiber that absorbs the water. The result of every night popcorn bowl will be diarrhea.
If you eat buttered topping popcorns, you are not only taking fiber, but you are also consuming too much fat, which can lead to diarrhea. So, the suggestion is not to consume them every night; well, you can enjoy them on weekends without experiencing any side effects.
Is popcorn good for digestive health?
Popcorn is a whole grain that is rich in minerals, vitamins, and fiber. All of these can be good for your digestive system and promote regular bowel movements. Eating popcorn provides you with a diet full of dietary fiber, which helps with digestive regularity, keeps you feeling full throughout the day, and even helps to protect against colon cancer.
The high fiber content of popcorns also promotes healthy gut bacteria, which is not only essential for digestion but also healthy for the immune systm.
Can popcorn make me poop?
Popcorns are a yummy snack that can help you poop if you are constipated. The fiber content of popcorn helps to soften the poop, which can easily pass out from your body if you are constipated. While an excess of everything is bad, whether it’s popcorn or any other food, so always consume everything in moderation to avoid its negative effects.
Irregular bowel movements or diarrhea can be a reason of not taking the right amount of fiber. So when you consume too many popcorns, you are consuming too much insoluble fiber, which will likely cause loose poop or so-called diarrhea.
What are the health benefits of popcorns?
If popcorn is your favorite movie-time snack, you will be very happy to know that it is loaded with many essential nutrients and offers you plenty of health benefits. Some of its health benefits are given below;
Regulates blood sugar level:
The fiber content of popcorn has a significant impact on blood sugar levels in the body. This great snack lowers your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Moreover, if you have diabetes, consuming fiber in an adequate amount helps to reduce these fluctuations in blood sugar.
Lowers cholesterol level:
Fiber, found in whole grains, also helps to reduce cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in the small intestine. Reducing the cholesterol level is great to lower the chances of many cardiovascular diseases like strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis and prevent strain in the arteries as blood can flow easily.
Improves digestion:
Since popcorn is a whole grain containing fiber from brain, B complex vitamins, and vitamin E. the high fiber content promotes digestion and prevents constipation.
Great for weight loss:
Popcorn is a low-calorie snack as one cup of air-popped popcorn contains about 30 calories, which is five times lower than one serving of plain potato chips. Additionally, the fiber content of popcorns also helps to reduce hunger by keeping you feeling fuller for longer.
May fight chronic diseases and prevent aging:
Researchers have found that popcorns contain a high concentration of polyphenolic compounds, which acts as an antioxidant in the body and fight against the development of the certain chronic diseases as well as reducing the signs of aging,
These all benefits of popcorn are very helpful in maintaining a healthy life. Remember that portion control is key to avoiding any negative effects, and avoid adding any high sugar or high-fat toppings to ensure you are taking a nutritious snack.
