Learn how to prepare popcorn in a healthier way and discover the components of this appetizer that help with memory and fight depression

We decided to talk about a food that can be made with oil, water or just hot air. It has several flavors: natural, with butter, caramel, chocolate and so on (mmmmmm). Its history reveals that it has already served as a hair ornament (you didn’t know that, right?). Another tip is that many love to devour it at the movies. If you thought popcorn, bingo!

O awesome.com loves curiosities and will tell you a little about the history of popcorn. Furthermore🇧🇷 we research nutritional issues to find out what are the benefits of eating this food, what is the best way to prepare it and how to include it in your diet. And for those who like to get away from the diet, we also list some mouthwatering popcorn flavors. Check it out 😉

Popcorn originated in America over a thousand years ago. Upon arriving on the American continent, Europeans described popcorn, previously unknown to them, as a corn-based snack used by the Indians both as food and as a hair ornament.

The Indians prepared popcorn by putting the whole ear of corn over the fire. Afterwards, they started to put only the grains on the embers. Until they invented a more practical method: cooking corn in a clay pot with hot sand.

In ancient times, the Aztecs worshiped Centéotl — considered the god of maize. Click here and read more about the story.

Over time, the method of preparing this corn derivative has changed. Scientific studies have also discovered the main components of popcorn. To go into detail about these two topics, we researched Mayra Alecrim, a nutritionist specializing in functional clinical nutrition. According to the specialist, popcorn has several nutrients that improve the functioning of the organism:

B complex vitamins — help strengthen immunity, improve liver function, and help reduce fluid retention. Manganese — contributes to the formation of enzymes and helps to improve memory. Magnesium — favors the formation of serotonin (responsible for inhibiting depression) and helps control the glycemic index, being very good for those with diabetes. Fiber — improves the digestive system. In addition to all this, it has few calories if prepared correctly.

Nutritionist Mayra Alecrim points out that the best way to prepare popcorn is without oil and with little salt: “What makes popcorn not interesting or loses its main nutrients is the preparation method”. She recommends the following:

* In a glass refractory, place 4 or 5 tablespoons of popcorn;

* Afterwards, add 4 or 5 tablespoons of water;

* Add a shallow spoon of salt;

* Cover with cling film and pierce it with a toothpick;

* Leave for 4 minutes in the microwave (depending on the power of each device).

To add more flavor to the appetizer, a good tip is to put herbs, such as thyme, rosemary or oregano, in the water. “Popcorn made with a lot of oil or a lot of salt can contribute to weight gain and is not interesting for those with high cholesterol. Beware of cinema popcorn that comes with a lot of butter and sodium”, warns the specialist. Electric popcorn makers that use no water or oil, just hot air, are also highly recommended.

It is possible to eat popcorn every day. Substituting a dinner for this delicacy can be a good idea, as long as it is prepared correctly. However, the nutritionist points out that the food does not have a lot of protein and that it would be interesting to make this change depending on how the day was. “If you managed to reach the required amount of daily protein, I don’t see a problem. It is often better to eat popcorn than to fast, ”she explains.

“What you can’t do is replace everything with popcorn. If this happens, a certain deficiency may appear in the body due to the lack of other nutrients that the grain does not provide”, recalls Mayra. Ideally, consult a doctor before making any decision about replacing foods in your diet.

We are all vulnerable to the different flavors of popcorn that exist. And nothing prevents us from consuming them, as long as the calories and amount of sugar ingested are compensated in the gym, observes the nutritionist. So, we share some mouthwatering flavors for the famous “garbage day”:

Popcorn with nest milk. Click here and see recipe.

Popcorn with chocolate. Click here and learn.

Oreo Popcorn. See recipe.

After reading so much about popcorn, you wanted to eat some, didn’t you? Now that you already know a little about the history, the benefits and the best way to prepare it, share with us which flavor you like best or a recipe you have to share with us! 🇧🇷