"At the cinema, without popcorn? No way!" - most of us would exclaim.

So, the first thing we do, going to the cinema, is to get a great deal of delicious and crunchy pleasure! Well, admit it - is not it great to enjoy popcorn, chips or carbonated drinks while watching the latest film?

Alas, then, apart from the wonderful feeling left behind by the movie, you often suffer from a stomach, feel a burden and ... maybe you are a little sorry about the empty pot from the otherwise delicious popcorn! And what about the popcorn made by yourself - popcorn that certainly contains less salt and no toxic substances? Some scientists even say they are useful because they are rich in ... antioxidants!



Popcorns in cinemas and parks are a serious threat to children

Given the fact that 22 million children in Europe are overweight and their number increases every year by 1 200 000, we certainly have to think about what our children are eating. It is good for children between the ages of 6 and 7 to learn to make their own healthy choices.

And popcorn certainly does not fit in the list of healthy products. Because they contain 30% fat, up to 60% complex carbohydrates and rarely fall below 500 kcal / 100 g.



The only plus may be the fiber content - about 10%. On the other hand, a small packet of popcorn contains more salt than the recommended daily dose for adolescents, while the large pack contains twice as much salt as the daily limit.

A quantity that is not even safe for an adult. The recommended daily amount of salt for children is 3 grams, and for adults - about 6 grams. Regular consumption not only of popcorn but also of other high-salt foods (ready meals, instant soups, sandwiches purchased) can lead to future to a potential risk of high blood pressure and the development of other cardiovascular diseases.



Excessive salt consumption increases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, and this inevitably leads to weakening of the bones. Sometimes, on product labels, the salt content is listed as sodium. To turn the amount of sodium into salt, you need to multiply it by 2.5, with this item being less than 2.4g per day.



Do not forget that the salt is getting used to - the more you consume, the more you want. If you limit the intake of sodium, you will find that your gourd bulbs need some time to get used to the change. And when that happens, the salt will certainly not be missed.

And that is far from everything ...

Have you heard of a condition called "microwave oven popcorn disease"? Extremely rare, usually seen in people working in the popcorn industry, but also in some peoplewho consume popcorn daily in the microwave.



A serious pathological condition, where patients can take a deep breath, but when exhaled they get severe pain. This is an extremely rare disease and, unfortunately, almost incurable.

The cause of the disease is a chemical, called diacetyl, which causes prolonged breathing (especially after heating) a serious breathing problem. It is a natural substance that results from fermentation processes and is found in some wines and dairy products.



In this form, diacetyl does not damage the general health of the body but in a synthetic form it is dangerous and is used to enhance the taste of butter and is used not only in the production of popcorn but also in flavoring certain types of chips, pastries, semi-finished products and even beer.

To date, many large companies are looking for a substitute for diacetyl in order not to jeopardize their users, but unfortunately, there is no one yet, and the substance is not declared forbidden.



Popcorn can also be useful

This is a new US study, based on the fact that popcorn contains high doses of antioxidants. In popcorn, more fibers and polyphenols can be found that effectively protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. It should be noted that they are one of the main ingredients in fruits, vegetables, wine, tea, and chocolate. Numerous studies have shown that polyphenols have ten times more potent antioxidant than vitamins C and E.



Popcorn - desalted and homemade!

The most suitable for making popcorn corn is the so-called popcorn or popcorn corn. It is a type of corn with small nests and pointed or round grains with a very hard endosperm which, when exposed to higher temperatures, crack at the expulsion of the moisture content and form a white starch mass exceeding several times the size of the primary kernel.

It is useful for corn to note that it is:

• low in fat;
• does not contain cholesterol;
• with very low sodium content;
• a good source of vitamin C.
 

How to make home popcorn?



Pour the corn and let the seeds dry for a while to remove the residual moisture that would otherwise worsen the burst.

• The container you will crack must be dry, thin, with a lid and handles.
• The fat you use should not be more than one tablespoon.
• Once it is very hot, pour the corn, salt, and spices, if you want your popcorn to be spicy and toppled with the lid. If you want popcorn to be sweet, in fact, you can add brown sugar or a spoonful of honey.
• Using the handles, move the bowl back and forth until the grain popping noise stops.
• You can keep popcorn longer if stored in a polyethylene bag.



If you still like to eat while you are at the cinema the next time you decide to go, you better take home-made popcorn or, better yet, their healthy alternative, such as raw nuts, raw or dried fruits, or why not - homemade cornflakes.

Do not forget that it is spring-summer season and make sure you take advantages of all of its gifts, which, besides very tasty, are also especially healthy!