What Are the Benefits of Eating Canned Corn?
Corn, whether it is frozen, canned or fresh, is a nutritious and tasty vegetable suitable for consumption as a side dish or incorporated into recipes 3. Canned corn does offer some advantages over the other forms, however: In addition to the convenience of simply opening a can and having ready-to-eat corn, canned corn is higher in some nutrients.
Protein
A 3/4-cup serving of canned corn provides you with 3.2 g of protein. This is slightly more than the 2 g in a medium ear of fresh corn, which yields approximately 3/4 of a cup, and the 2 g in a 3/4-cup portion of frozen corn. Be sure that 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories from corn and other foods come from protein to increase the amount of energy you have access to and to boost immune function.
Carbohydrates
Nutritional Content of a Medium-Size Corn on the Cob
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The carbohydrates in corn also break down into energy. One serving of canned corn contains 22.8 g of carbohydrates, while a serving of fresh corn and frozen corn has 11 g. Try to include 225 to 325 g of carbs in your meal plan each day, as carbs supply energy and influence the function of your kidneys and muscles.
Fiber
Canned corn contributes to your digestive health more than other forms of this vegetable, primarily due to its fiber content. A serving of canned corn introduces 2.5 g of fiber into your diet; fresh corn contains 1 g of this nutrient, while a serving of frozen corn has 2 g. Fiber from canned corn helps you feel fuller for longer and helps prevent diarrhea. Eat 25 to 38 g of fiber each day for best health.
Vitamin C
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Canning corn helps maintain the vitamin C in this vegetable. One serving of canned corn contains 10.5 mg of vitamin C. As the daily recommended intake of this vitamin stands at 75 to 90 mg, the amount in corn equates to 11.6 to 14 percent of your need. Other varieties of corn have only up to 7 percent of the vitamin C your body requires each day. Vitamin C is good for your immune system and skin tone.
- Canning corn helps maintain the vitamin C in this vegetable.
- Other varieties of corn have only up to 7 percent of the vitamin C your body requires each day.
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References
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Corn, Sweet, White, Canned, Whole Kernel, Drained Solids
- Produce Converter: How Much Corn is On An Ear?
- MyFitnessPal: Vegetable - Fresh Corn on the Cob
- Fitbit: Corn, Super Sweet, Frozen from Cascadian Farm
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- Vitamin A: Fact Sheets for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Updated 2020.
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- Corn Allergy. American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Updated 2019.
- Corn. Non-GMO Project. Updated 2016.
- GMO Crops, Animal Food, and Beyond. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated 03/04/2020
- High Fructose Corn Syrup Questions and Answers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated 2018.
- Bray GA. Energy and fructose from beverages sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup pose a health risk for some people. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(2):220-5. doi:10.3945/an.112.002816
- Different types of corn. The Popcorn Board. Updated 2020.
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Writer Bio
Nicki Wolf has been writing health and human interest articles since 1986. Her work has been published at various cooking and nutrition websites. Wolf has an extensive background in medical/nutrition writing and online content development in the nonprofit arena. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University.