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Some mothers wonder about the possibility of offering popcorn to children, as a snack between daily meals, for fear that it will have negative effects on their health when eating it.
Also read: Eating popcorn in the winter.. 7 benefits it offers to your health
In this regard, Dr. Nahla Abdel-Wahhab, a consultant in bacteria, immunity and nutrition, confirmed that popcorn is one of the foods that are beneficial to the health of children, provided that it is prepared in a healthy way and eaten in moderation.
The benefits of popcorn for children
Abdel-Wahhab identified the benefits of popcorn for children in the following points:
Cancer prevention, because it contains antioxidants.
– Avoid gaining weight, because it is rich in dietary fiber, which helps to feel full and full for long hours.
Improving the health of the digestive system, because its fibers contribute to enhancing bowel movement, facilitating digestion and excretion, and treating constipation.
– Anti-anemia, rich in iron, which works to produce blood hemoglobin, which is responsible for sending oxygen to all parts of the body.
– Adjusting blood sugar, thanks to its dietary fiber, which prevents the intestine from quickly absorbing carbohydrates.
– Strengthening the immune system, because it contains zinc, which also helps stimulate growth and enhance mental functions.
The nutrition consultant added that popcorn also provides children with other nutrients that are very important for their health, such as vitamin B complex, vitamin E and magnesium.
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Tips when making popcorn for kids
And mothers warned against preparing popcorn with oil, due to its high content of saturated fats, which cause high cholesterol in the blood, and thus harm the health of the heart and blood vessels.
Abdel-Wahhab also recommended adding a little salt to popcorn, because too much of it threatens children with fluid retention and high blood pressure, due to the excess sodium.
She concluded her speech by pointing out the importance of monitoring the amount of popcorn consumed by the child, with the need to accustom him to washing his mouth well after eating it, to get rid of the remnants of it stuck to the teeth and molars, because their survival exposes him to decay and gingivitis.
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