Zea mays everta, more popularly known as popcorn, is a member of the grass family. Popcorn kernels pop when the water inside them expands, turns into steam and bursts open the hulls upon heating, according the Popcorn Board, an industry group. In rare cases, popcorn can have bad effects. If you have any questions about popcorn and your health, consult your physician or a registered dietitian.
Diacetyl Poisoning
Perhaps the worst effects of popcorn were as a result of a widely used flavoring agent called diacetyl. Diacetyl was used in microwave popcorn to simulate the taste of butter. In 2002, a report in the "New England Journal of Medicine" cited a number of workers at microwave popcorn processing plants developing bronchiolitis obliterans, a devastating lung disease, as a result of inhaling diacetyl fumes. At least one consumer who ate two bags of microwave popcorn daily came down with the disease. The Food and Drug Administration considers diacetyl safe for consumers and continues to allow its inclusion in food products. Many popcorn manufacturers ceased using diacetyl after reports of worker illness surfaced, but according to a 2010 article in the "Columbus Dispatch," some companies continue to employ it.
Effects on Teeth
New York dentist Dr. Lawrence Spindel calls popcorn one of the "most dangerous foods for teeth." Popcorn husks can become lodged between the back teeth and the gums, often requiring a course of antibiotics to clear up the resulting infection after removal. Crunching down on an unpopped popcorn kernel can have even more disastrous effects. Painful dental fractures can result and previously cracked teeth can worsen. See a dentist if you have any tooth pain following popcorn consumption.
Popcorn Toppings
Eating butter-drenched movie popcorn or adding popcorn toppings at home can put both your waistline and heart at risk. Popcorn is a high-fiber whole grain, but added butter and salt can transform it from a healthy snack into a nutritional nightmare. Butter is a saturated fat whose cholesterol content might be too high for people at risk for heart disease, while added salt can lead to hypertension. Movie theater popcorn, which is often popped in oils containing trans fats, can be especially problematic. The Center for Science in the Public Interest tested medium- and large-size popcorn from a leading movie theater chain and found that each size contained a whopping 1,200 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat.
Allergic Reactions
People allergic to corn also are allergic to popcorn. Corn is not among the top eight most common foods likely to cause allergic reactions, which are wheat, dairy, soy, peanut, tree nut, shellfish, fish and egg. As in other food allergies, allergic reactions to popcorn can range from mild itchiness in the mouth to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that can result in coma or death. Food allergies also are correlated with asthma and eczema. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to popcorn, consult your physician. Subsequent allergic reactions can grow in severity.
References
- AllergicChild.com: Corn Allergy
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: 'Two Thumbs Down' for Movie Theater Popcorn; Nov. 18, 2009
- Lawrence M. Spindel, DDS: A Guide to the Most Dangerous Foods for Teeth
- DefendingScience.org: Diacetyl Fact Sheet
- "Columbus Dispatch"; FDA to Decide Whether Butter Flavoring is Safe for Consumers; A. Hamper; Feb. 12, 2010
- Popcorn Board: What Makes Popcorn Pop?
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