Health Nutrition & Diet 5 Sweet Corn Health Benefits That Totally Validate Your Corn on the Cob Obsession This essential summer side boasts fiber, vitamins, and even a little protein! By Emily Cieslak Updated on April 11, 2023 Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Olivia Barr From movie-theater popcorn to deep-fried corn chips—and we can't forget ubiquitous corn syrup—certain corn products have given this crop a reputation for being "unhealthy". But when it comes to corn itself, the popular vegetable offers many beneficial nutrients, says Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, registered dietitian and owner of Nomadista Nutrition. To reap the most health benefits of corn, Davis recommends eating it in its least-processed form. Fresh corn on the cob (roasted, grilled, or boiled), or frozen corn (flash-frozen at the peak of freshness and steamed until al dente), are both fantastic ways to enjoy its sweet kernels in all their glory. Minimally processed corn tortillas can be a great option, too, she says, adding that it's always smart to look at the quality of the corn used and sodium content. There's also some concern that corn is genetically modified. Davis explains most GMO corn in the U.S. is used for animal feed and in processed food products like breakfast cereals, corn syrup, and corn oil. You can find non-GMO corn by visiting local farmers' markets and thoroughly reading nutrition labels on the products you buy. Nothing says summertime like a plateful of sweet, buttery corn on the cob—and nothing beats a generous sprinkle of zesty corn salsa over your burrito bowl. Whether your personal corn-eating style is more typewriter or rolling pin, here are all the healthy nutrients you're getting with each bite. 3 Surprising Ways to Use Cream-Style Corn Corn Nutrition and Health Benefits Corn has soluble fiber for satisfaction and a healthy gut. One medium-sized ear of corn packs in about two grams of fiber. Corn contains soluble fiber (vs. insoluble fiber), helps you feel full and satisfied, and promotes healthy gut bacteria. While corn is a starchy vegetable, meaning it's naturally higher in carbohydrates than some other vegetables, the soluble fiber helps slow down the absorption of carbs, preventing spikes in blood sugar and keeping you from getting hungry again quickly, Davis says. (With a rating that falls between 56 and 69, corn is considered moderate on the glycemic index scale.) Corn is a surprising source of plant protein. Adding corn to salads, pastas, rice bowls, salsas, and more is a sneaky way to up a dish's protein content, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan. It's not a ton, but at about three grams of protein per ear, corn offers more protein than most other vegetables. Like fiber, protein helps keep hunger and cravings at bay and serves numerous essential functions in the body, including muscle repair and growth. 8 of the Highest-Protein Foods Every Well-Balanced Diet Should Include Corn contains vision-protecting nutrients. Everyone talks about carrots keeping your vision on point, but corn deserves a shout-out as well. Lutein and zeaxanthin give commonly found varieties of corn its yellow hue and constitute the main pigments found in the yellow spot of the human retina. Consuming these two carotenoids can help protect the eyes from blue light damage, improve visual acuity, and even reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Corn provides potassium and magnesium. One serving of corn contains about six percent of the daily potassium needs and nine to 12 percent of daily magnesium needs. These minerals (both categorized as electrolytes) play a role in numerous different body processes. Potassium, to name a few, helps regulate hydration levels, send nerve signals, protect bones, and reduce blood pressure. Magnesium, too, is involved in nerve function and regulation, managing blood pressure, and reducing the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease. Corn contains vitamins C and B. Whether you consider corn a vegetable or a whole grain, it ticks off vitamins and minerals in both areas. One cup of sweet yellow corn contains 11 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports your immune system, collagen production, and iron absorption. It also offers about 20 percent of the daily value of thiamine and 15 percent of the daily value of folate—both are B vitamins that help convert carbohydrates into energy. Folate is especially important to consume during pregnancy to ensure normal fetal development and prevent certain birth defects. It is recommended that adults consume 400 mcg of folate and 600 mcg per day during pregnancy. One cup of cooked corn offers about 51 mcg. Snack on Edamame for Protein, Healthy Fats, and Nutritional Benefits Delicious (and Easy) Corn Recipes 01 of 06 Corn and Pepper Scramble Caitlin Bensel Get the Recipe Need to shake up your breakfast game? This uniquely delicious scramble combines caramelized corn kernels and juicy roasted red peppers with fluffy scrambled eggs. 02 of 06 Summery Corn Soup Tara Donne Get the Recipe This comforting corn soup is light enough for warm summer nights. It's deeply savory and has a two-allium base of leeks and scallions, aromatic thyme, and enough white wine to add balancing tang to each bite. 03 of 06 Spicy Street Corn Salad Taking inspiration from elote, the classic Mexican street of grilled (almost charred) corn smothered in cheese and spices, this irresistible snack becomes a meal when tossed with pinto beans, herbs, jalapeno, and heaps of arugula. The best part? It comes together in a snap since the corn stays raw. Get the recipe:Spicy Street Corn Salad. Jen Causey Get the Recipe This bright salad takes its cues from the classic Mexican street food, elote: grilled sweet corn rubbed with smoky spices and mild, salty cheese. Pro tip: Since you're eating the corn raw, seek out fresh corn from a local stand or farmers' market whenever possible. 04 of 06 Honey-Butter Creamed Corn Antonis Achilleos Get the Recipe Sweet-savory combo lovers, raise your hands! Buttery onions and sweet corn merge with honey and thyme for serious depth of flavor, while a glug of heavy cream brings balanced decadence to this divine side dish. 05 of 06 Pimiento Fritters Antonis Achilleos Get the Recipe Spicy pimiento cheese meets juicy corn kernels in this quick (honestly, life-changing) fritter recipe for crispy, caramelized deliciousness. Serve with some lemon-spiked mayonnaise for dipping or serve over a bed of lettuce for a light meal. 06 of 06 Golden Corn and Tofu Curry Caitlin Bensel Get the Recipe Rice noodles, tender tofu cubes, and toasted corn kernels nestle up alongside each other in a rich, Thai-inspired coconut curry sauce. The best part? This satisfying and slurp-able dish comes together in just half an hour. RELATED: Need an Easy Summer Dip? Try This Cowboy Caviar Recipe Going Viral on TikTok Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Abdel-Aal el-SM, Akhtar H, Zaheer K, Ali R. Dietary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids and their role in eye health. Nutrients. 2013;5(4):1169-1185. doi:10.3390/nu5041169 NIH. Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Accessed April 11, 2023. USDA FoodData Central. Corn, sweet, yellow, raw. Accessed April 11, 2023.