Did you know that there’s a great science behind the commonly held belief that you shouldn’t eat canned corn raw? Or that it has to be cooked first? Well, let’s find out! Many people believe that if you eat canned corn kernels raw, it could make your body toxic. This is because of the high acidity levels in canned corn. If we continue this logic, then eating uncooked canned corn must be poisonous. In fact, many people will advise you to cook corn before consuming it. But how much truth is there in these statements? Do you really need to cook canned corn or can you just eat it raw and not risk getting ill from it? Keep reading to find out.
Do You Have To Cook Canned Corn?
Canned corn is a food product made of fresh corn which is cut, cleaned, and canned for preservation. The cans are sealed in a manner that keeps them airtight. This means that you do not have to cook canned corn. You can just open the can and eat it as is. It has the same taste as fresh corn on the cob, but it is easier to eat and it takes less time to prepare. If you want to make it more delicious, you can boil some water and add salt or butter before eating it.
What’s The Issue With Canned Corn?
- When you open the can, the corn is exposed to air. It will cause it to lose its freshness and taste.
- The can is made of metal which contains lead and other harmful chemicals that could contaminate the food inside.
- Once opened, canned corn will start to lose its quality in just a few days or weeks depending on how well it was sealed.
- It is not as healthy as fresh corn on the cob since it lacks the fiber and nutrients that are present in fresh corn.
- Canned corn is often very expensive compared to fresh corn found in your local grocery stores or farmer’s market.
- If you want to save some money, you can buy canned corn during winter when it’s cheap and store them so you can eat them during summer when they’re more expensive and harder to find at local groceries stores or farmer’s markets.”
- Canned corn is not as fresh as fresh corn on the cob. It often tastes bland, has a bad smell, and sometimes has a metallic taste.
- Some canned corn brands contain preservatives like BHT which may cause health problems if eaten in large amounts.
- Canned corn is not as healthy as freshly picked corn since it lacks the fiber and nutrients that are present in fresh corn.”
The Dangerous By-Product Of Canning: BPA
- BPA stands for bisphenol A. It is an industrial chemical used in the production of plastics and other products like food packaging, dental fillings, and some other household items.
- BPA is found in the lining of canned foods that are not labeled as BPA-free. The lining of these products contains BPA, which then leaches into the food when you open it. This means that you may be eating this substance every day without knowing it!
- Bisphenol A has been linked to a number of health problems including developmental problems, reproductive problems, cancer, and diabetes. It can also cause a wide variety of health problems in animals and other mammals.
- BPA is a known endocrine disruptor, which means that it interferes with the normal hormonal system in the body. It can mess with your hormones and cause problems with your metabolism.
- BPA has been found to be associated with breast cancer, infertility, obesity, and other reproductive disorders.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of BPA in baby bottles because it is thought to be linked to cancer. If you are buying canned food products for your children, you should check to see if they are labeled as BPA-free or not so that you can avoid this chemical altogether!
- BPA has been banned in baby bottles in the United States since 2011. However, it is still found in many other products, including canned food and plastic food containers.
- In the United States, BPA can be found in a variety of canned foods including soups, vegetables, fruit, and more. It can also be found in some types of plastic food containers and other household items such as water bottles and baby bottles.
- Many countries have banned BPA by law such as Canada, Sweden, France, and others. This means that if you live in one of these countries then you will not be exposed to this chemical while eating canned food!
- If you are worried about your exposure to BPA then you should buy BPA-free canned food products for your family instead of those that do not have this chemical!
The Theory Behind Eating Raw Corn: Ph Level And Trace Metals
pH level
The pH level in raw corn is about 5.4, which is slightly acidic. This means that it can cause stomach irritation if eaten in large quantities. Theoretically, the pH level of cooked corn can be higher than 6 and still be safe to eat. However, the problem with cooking corn is that it changes its chemical composition of it drastically:
Trace metals
When canned corn is heated to a high temperature, the BPA levels in it increase dramatically. It becomes more toxic and dangerous to our health since its composition is changed so drastically by heat. It has been suggested by some researchers that cooking corn may cause us to eat more of it because we are used to eating canned foods like chips and crackers which have high BPA levels as well as low nutritional value (study reference 1). This could also be one reason why we tend to gain weight when eating a lot of processed food such as food prepared with canned ingredients (study reference 2).
Other reasons to avoid canning
If you do not have a pressure canner, then you have to heat the canned corn on the stove for a long time before eating it. This is because canned corn has a high sugar content and sugar is not safe to eat if heated for a long time. It will cause your body to produce too much insulin (study reference 3).
Benefits Of Raw Corn
Raw corn is a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. It also contains folate, which helps prevent birth defects and certain types of cancer. The high protein content of raw corn helps to build and repair our muscles as well as maintain our immune system. It also contains carotenoids, which are antioxidants that protect us from cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.
Conclusion
So, in short, do you need to cook canned corn? Yes, definitely. You need to cook canned corn because it’s extremely acidic and bacteria could grow in it. You can’t eat canned corn raw because you risk getting sick from it. But don’t worry because canned corns are a great source of fiber and nutrients and can be eaten safely when cooked. All you have to do is boil them for about 5 minutes and you’re good to go!
