Purple Corn has zillions of disease-fighting properties and healthy nutrients.
Purple corn is known to fight against diabetes, lowers blood pressure, prevents cancer, lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases, prevents kidney diseases.
Purple Corn is a Peruvian superfood that is not only tasty but also versatile too. To know more about it, read the below article.
Table of Contents
What Is Purple Corn?
Purple corn or purple maze is a variety of corn which has a blue color. It is a variety of flint maize and is found generally in Peru, South America. The corn gets it purple color from the class of polyphenols called anthocyanins.
The food has many types of anthocyanins but the most crucial is Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside which accounts for 75% of the total anthocyanin present.
There is one interesting fact about Purple Corn. If you take and plant the Purple Corn outside Peru, it will lose its purple color.
Constituents Of Purple Corn
- Purple corn contains high concentration cyanidin-3-glucoside. It is a type of anthocyanin which has anti-oxidant color rich pigments that gives them a purple color. This pigment has many health fortifying nutrients. The amount of anthocyanins present in this is higher than in other anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables
- The food is also rich in phenolic acids like vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuric acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin.
- It also contains many dimalonylated monoglucosides of cyanidin, peonidin, and pelargonidin in minor concentrations.
Health Benefits Of Purple Corn
Purple Corn has several health benefits. Some of the prime benefits are explained below:
1.Anti-oxidant
In the entire plant kingdom, purple corn has the deepest purple shade. The vibrant purple color is indicative of antioxidant called the anthocyanins. The color stands it differently than the regular corn in term of its health benefits.
The major antioxidant in purple corn is cyanidin-3-glucoside(CG3). Experiments suggest CG3 as one of the most powerful antioxidants among 13 other anthocyanins.
Another anti-oxidant present in purple corn is hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid. Both these acids are a strong antioxidant.
2.Anti-diabetes
Diabetes is one of leading health issue worldwide. It is common due to chemically treated food. Purple corn fights effectively fight against diabetes.
The anthocyanin present in it strengthens the glandular system which affects the pancreas and in turn, increases the secretion of natural insulin.
Additionally, the insulin levels also help to proportionate the fat in the body. Low amount of fat maintains weight and in turn, reduce the chances of increased blood sugar levels.
3.Anti-inflammatory
A study was done to check the anti-inflammatory response of purple corn. The study showed an anti-inflammatory response to CG3. This cleared the fact that the color producing pigment is capable of suppressing the inflammatory response of the body.
4.Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the root cause of some of the major diseases like kidney damage, memory loss, cardiovascular diseases, vision loss, and brain stroke. By lowering the blood pressure all of these things can be controlled.
In a study performed in 2007, the effect was proven. The “Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology” suggested that anthocyanins present in the blue corn can lower the blood pressure to a significant amount. Moreoff, it only lowers but also maintains the optimum required blood pressure.
5.Prevents Cancer
Anthocyanin effect was tested against cancer. To answer it, a test was performed on the rats. For the same, the rats were treated with carcinogen that causes colorectal cancer.
Next, these rats were kept on purple corn. The outcomes of the study were miraculous. The early signs of cancer and the malignant and benign tumors formed in the colon of rats were significantly reduced in the rats who were on purple corn for few weeks.
Thus, by this study, it was concluded that the extracts or juices of blue corn having high amounts of anthocyanins inhibit mutagenesis caused by the carcinogens. Inhibiting mutagenesis inhibits cancer cells from growing and eventually prevents cancer.
6.Anti-Obesity
Obesity is another cause of several life-threatening diseases like heart, cancer, and diabetes. Some people fight a lot with their weight but are unable to maintain or reduce it.
Studies state purple corn juice is a great weight loss supplement. It helps the body to get rid of excess fat and keep the body fat proportioned. To test it, a study was published in 2003 in “Journal of Nutrition”.
The study was performed on mice. The mice were subjected to a high-fat diet and purple corn extract having the anthocyanin CG3.
Four control groups of mice were taken and they were tested against the first mice. In the other three, one mice were fed only high-fat diet, the second was a normal diet, and the third was normal diet plus the purple extract corn.
The results were compared. The first mice who was on purple corn and high-fat diet showed less inclination towards obesity than the other mice. Thus, the researchers concluded that the purple corn extract helps to fight obesity and maintain body weight.
7.Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases
Purple corn juice has a very good effect on the heart health. Its a heart healing agent.
It is the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants present in the juice that fight the diseases well. The rich properties of purple corn juice keep the heart healthy.
Additionally, the anthocyanin keeps the blood vessels of the heart more elastic. Increased elasticity results in better blood circulation.
It makes the blood vessels to expand more by acting on the collages. With increased elasticity and circulation blood clots and the heart-clogging problem is prevented. Thus, you can even keep your heart healthy with this superfood.
8.Anti-Aging
Aging is a normal irreversible process of the body. You can’t stop it completely but can surely reduce its onset and the signs.
Purple corn juice makes the collage healthy and also has Vitamin E which is the powerful agent of aging. Not only this, with regular intake you will the energy and activeness in your body.
For many people of Peruva age was just a number as even in their old age they were fresh and energetic. Studies suggest anthocyanin be good for collagen health and in the formation of new cells too.
9.Prevent Kidney Diseases
A Kidney disease can be life-threatening. People who suffer from bloating, kidney stones, on dialysis, or any other kidney issues can benefit with this superfood.
Purple corn juice has many anti-oxidative properties that prevent the hardening of the blood vessels in the kidney. There are cases where a lady lost his 80% of the kidney functioning. But after regular uses of purple corn juice, she improved drastically.
10.Keeps Eyes Healthy
Purple corn has many essential antioxidants required for eye health. Among them, the two most important are lutein and zeaxathinin.
Our eyes use these compounds more widely than others. If you increase the intake of these antioxidants, automatically your eye health will improve.
Not only this, the purple corn can prevent eye diseases like cataract, macular degeneration, etc.
11.Affect On All The Body Systems
The phytonutrients of the purple corn effects the entire body systems. It’s an energy booster and cell protector too. It works to maintain healthy tissues, healthy organs, and a healthy body.
The phytonutrients work at the cellular level to keep the body healthy. It does so by protecting the DNA against any radical damage.
Thus, a healthier DNA results in a healthier body. Mostly it is consumed in liquid form which allows it to get quickly absorbed by the body systems.
Purple Corn Juice recipes
The purple corn is available in powder form, extracted kernels, or as whole corn directly from the farm. You can consume it as a juice, or raw, or can even cook it.
The way of consumption is up to your liking and taste. Below, I am jotting a few easy recipes that you can prepare with purple corn.
1.Chicha Morada Recipe
Ingredients Used
- 1 bag of organic or pure dried purple corns
- Few Cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon of cloves
- 1 green apple sliced into cube-like pieces. You can even finely chop it
- 1 pineapple sliced into cubes or finely chopped depending on your choice.
- 3 liters of water
- 1 teaspoon of squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Cooking Instructions
- Put all the ingredient in a pan except the honey and lime juice. Cover the pan and let it boil for good 50 minutes. Kepp the flame low. This will soften all the fruits.
- Open the lid check for softens. Next, remove the cover and again simmer it for 15 minutes. This will make the fruits little mashy.
- Let it stand for an hour at room temperature.
- Once it cools down, strain and extracts the juice. To it, add honey and lemon juice.
- Serve it at normal temperature or with ice as per your liking.
- You can store the juice for 2-3 days. Don’t store it for too long as it will lose its flavor. For storing cover it and keep it in a refrigerator.
Is Purple Corn Juice Safe?
Purple corn juice is just like any other health drink made from fruits and vegetables. All the studies and laboratory tests were done till now suggests purple corn juice as a powerhouse of nutrients and disease-fighting agent.
Till now, not even a single case has come up were purple corn juice had caused irreversible life-threatening effects.
Health professionals and scientists claim about it benefit of the human body. If we can drink aerated drinks and other beverages in spite of knowing their hazards, why not give a try on this healthy beverage.
You can start consuming the drink without any second thought. However, if you feel any discomfort or allergy immediately stop the use and consult a doctor.
Is Purple Corn Genetically Modified?
Purple corn cultivates in the farms of Peruvian is never genetically modified. The traditional form was always a non-GMO. However, to prove it some of the companies wanted to test it and get an authentic verification.
For the same, they performed the clinical trials. In 2013, purple corn got verification as a non-GMO food. Overall, the purple corn in its purest form is never GMO modified.
Is purple corn sweet?
Purple corn is very similar to common corn consisting of a long cob and edible kernels. Same like corn it is packed in layers of husk.
However, the color of the husk is unique resembling lime green and dark purple mixture. The kernels are sometimes white and purple or fully purple depending on the variety.
The kernels are moist and soft. They contain sugar and water which gives the purple corn a sweet flavor. In spite of being moisturous, its has tender-crisp texture from outside. There are juicy and sweet from inside.
Overdose Of Purple Corn Juice
There is nothing like an overdose of the purple corn juice. The only thing is to eat or drink anything in the excessive amount you might get a stomach ache or you might vomit same is the case with purple corn. Additionally, it’s not a medicine it is just a fruit.
Till now, no such case of overdose has been reported. It’s safe and effective in all terms. If by any chance you consume too much of the juice it will come out through urination easily.
It is because the natural drinks, fruits, or vegetables don’t clog up in the body system like the chemical and synthetic food. Our body removes them via the natural body processes (in urine or stool).
Medical professionals talk only about its benefits. It is good for your body and health in every way.
However, if you are a heart or diabetes patient you should consult a doctor before consuming it. it is because it has sucrose content that might affect your blood glucose level.
Final Talk
Purple Corn is an extremely powerful superfood produced by nature. This variety of corn is only available in Peruvian region. Apart from the Peruvian region, it can’t be cultivated in any part of the world.
Purple Corn has a high-quality pigment, Anthocyanin. The deep blue or violet color of the vegetable comes from the super pigment only.
It is charged with energy boosters. People who have consumed it agree to its unique energizing property. It is efficient for the mind, body, and soul.
Moreoff, it can be called as a super beverage rich in Vitamin C and E. Such high amount of nutrients are not available in other fruits and vegetables. It also has an antioxidant capacity which makes it better than other fruits or vegetables.
Secondly, apart from the phytonutrients, it has many other vitamins and minerals. You can add the superfood in your daily diet to yield maximum benefits from it.
