Popping the Popcorn Myth

By Marilee Tolen RN, HNC
HomeSpaLady™

How many times have we heard that popcorn is a good healthy snack? It's a given! Popcorn has been a fun, healthy snack since ancient civilization.

Americans are eating 17 billion quarts of popcorn a year.

How many of them do you think are microwaving their popcorn? Probably most (not me - I don't own a microwave).

There are findings now that microwaving butter-flavored popcorn can cause damage to our lungs.

The chemical of concern is in the artificial butter flavoring and known as diacetyl. When heated the fumes are reported to be toxic.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health discovered this when 31 people who worked at a popcorn factory were diagnosed with severe lung disease. It has been linked to breathing vapors from a butter flavoring. Eight are on waiting lists for lung transplants.

This lung condition, known as bronchiolitis obliterans (which translates to "destroying the lungs), is starting to crop up in a variety of places throughout the country.

Meanwhile what are healthy ways to make popcorn?

Consider air popped popcorn as a healthier choice over the microwaved style.

My favorite way of making popcorn is the old fashioned way of popping in a pot on the stove. Organic popcorn kernels popped in virgin coconut oil is one of the healthiest ways of making popcorn today.

Here's a tip from Arrowhead Mill Organic Popcorn:
If there are too many unpopped kernels left in the popper, the popcorn may be dried out too much. Put the bag in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. This puts moisture back into the kernels.
 

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Marilee Tolen RN, HNC - Board Certified Holistic Nurse
HomeSpaLady™
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