Popcorn full of cancer-fighting antioxidants

by **Afra** 30th September 2010, 2:57 pm

LONDON: Munching on popcorn during movies may be healthier than you think.

New research says the popular snack food can actually help prevent cancer, according to a study led by Dr. Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

The chemist and his team of scientists found that popcorn contains surprisingly large levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

This is the first study to say that snack foods and certain wholegrain cereals are a good source of polyphenols.

“We really were surprised by the levels of polyphenols we found in popcorn,” Dr. Vinson said. “I guess it’s because it's not processed. You get all the wonderful ingredients of the corn undiluted and protected by the skin. In my opinion it's a good health food.”

Even more surprising, hot breakfast foods like porridge oats were found to have low levels of cancer-fighting polyphenols.