Ninety Nine Restaurants, headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, opened in 1952 under the name Ninety Nine Restaurants & Pub to cash in on a new casual dining trend. Today, Ninety Nine Restaurants has more than 100 locations throughout the Northeast and New England. While Ninety Nine Restaurants' menu can accommodate nearly anyone's tastes, one favorite of repeat customers is the free popcorn given to everyone who visits.
About Popcorn
When popcorn kernels are heated, pressure builds up inside the hard starchy pouch, expands and forces the kernel to pop in order to release the water, now in the form of steam. Out of all varieties of corn, popcorn is the only kind that pops. Popcorn kernels are made up of water, protein, carbohydrates and fat.
Nutrition Facts
According to the USDA's National Nutrient Database, one ounce of plain air-popped popcorn contains 110 calories, 1.29 g of fat, more than 22 g of carbohydrates, 4.1 g of fiber, 3.7 g of protein and 2 mg of sodium. Adding butter, salt or oil to your popcorn changes the nutritional content. An ounce of buttered popcorn can contain 149 calories, 8.5 g of fat and 219 mg of sodium.
Nutrients
Ordinary air-popped popcorn is very low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. Popcorn is a good source of fiber, containing 5 percent of the recommended daily allowance, RDA, as well as manganese at 11.5 mg, or 3 percent of the RDA.
Antioxidants
Popcorn is a great source of polyphenols, an antioxidant that fights tissue and organ-damaging compounds called free radicals. In his own studies, professor Joe Vinson, from the University of Scranton, indicates that eating whole grains, including popcorn, reduces certain cancers, heart disease and obesity. The amount of antioxidants in popcorn is similar to those in fruits and vegetables, according to Vinson.
Other Nutrients
The Mayo Clinic reports that as a good source of whole grains, popcorn is also a good source of complex carbs and fiber. According to a paper published by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, eating a diet rich in complex carbs may be linked to a lower risk of developing cancer. The University of California reports that carbs are an important source of energy. They can decrease blood cholesterol levels, constipation, make you feel fuller faster, possibly resulting in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. And, they slow sugar entry into the blood, therefore reducing the risk of diabetes.
References
- Ninety Nine Restaurants
- Kernel Season's: What is Popcorn?
- Daily Mail: Why Eating Popcorn is Good for Your Health
- The University of Scranton: Research on Antioxidants Found in Snack Foods and Cereal
- College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: What are Complex Carbohydrates and Fiber?
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