Digestive Benefits of Corn Flour

Those golden-yellow ears of corn have many uses, including being milled down to a white or yellow flour that can be used for breading or in baked goods recipes. Besides being a tasty addition to recipes and containing nutrients, such as vitamin A, magnesium and iron, cooking with corn flour can offer benefits to your digestive system. This includes being a good choice for those with celiac disease who cannot digest gluten.

Uses

If you are ready to reap the digestive benefits of corn flour, you can incorporate it into a variety of dishes, from entrees to desserts. Corn flour has traditionally been used in Southern-style cooking, such as in making cornbread or breading fish or shellfish, according to “The Atlantic.” Desserts, such as Chess pie and a variety of cake types, can be made with corn flour as well. Corn flour also is used as a breading in many Italian dishes, such as chicken Parmesan.

Gluten-Free Benefits

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Gluten is a protein found naturally in grains, such as wheat. Those with celiac disease lack the enzymes needed to break down this protein, which can result in small intestine inflammation and a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as cramping, nausea and stomach pain. If you have celiac disease or are especially sensitive to gluten, your physician may recommend avoiding gluten-containing products, according to the Colorado State University Extension. Corn flour is a naturally gluten-free food, which means it may offer digestive benefits. Those with celiac disease can consume and cook with corn flour without fearing digestive symptoms that can accompany eating gluten-containing grains.

  • Gluten is a protein found naturally in grains, such as wheat.
  • Those with celiac disease can consume and cook with corn flour without fearing digestive symptoms that can accompany eating gluten-containing grains.

Reduces Constipation

Corn flours are available in many types, from white to yellow corn flour to Masa Harina, a special corn flour type used to make corn tortillas, according to Food.com. Corn flour produced from whole corn kernels is considered a whole-grain food. ChooseMyPlate.gov recommends consuming whole-grain foods to reduce heart disease risk and provide vital nutrients. Whole grains also offer the digestive benefit of reducing constipation. Whole-grain corn flour is high in fiber, containing about 7.3 grams per 100-gram serving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This fiber travels through your digestive tract and absorbs water to help your stool move more easily through your body.

  • Corn flours are available in many types, from white to yellow corn flour to Masa Harina, a special corn flour type used to make corn tortillas, according to Food.com.

Enhances Fullness

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Another critical digestive aspect of fiber-containing corn flour is that it enhances feelings of fullness, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov. Fiber is more slowly emptied in the stomach than its refined-grain counterparts. As a result, your body is supplied a steadier stream of energy and you feel fuller, longer. Refined grains, such as white bread or white rice, do not offer the same fullness-inducing benefits.

  • Another critical digestive aspect of fiber-containing corn flour is that it enhances feelings of fullness, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov.
  • Refined grains, such as white bread or white rice, do not offer the same fullness-inducing benefits.
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