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Why Microwave Popcorn isn't the best for your health

Popcorn is a delicious and easy snack for the whole family that is low in calories and high in fibre. However, most people eat processed microwave popcorn which is not the healthy choice and should be avoided for several reasons.

Microwave popcorn is loaded with sodium, trans-fats and chemicals like MSG that give it flavour. The buttery taste in these popcorn bags comes from a chemical called diacetyl which has been shown in studies to contribute to brain plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Microwave popcorn does not contain organic corn so along with all the unhealthy ingredients you are also being exposed to harmful pesticide residues from the corn and the other ingredients. Whilst the popcorn kernels themselves are not GMO, several ingredients in microwave popcorn are likely to be from GMO sources.

The packaging used for microwave popcorn is one of the biggest reasons to avoid it. Some of the cheaper brands have plastics in their packaging which when heated can cause chemicals and endocrine disruptors to seep into the popcorn kernels.

Even if a brand doesn’t use plastic in their packaging the bags are still lined with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which is a toxic chemical that is carcinogenic and has been linked to infertility in lab animals when heated. PFOA doesn’t break down easily and can remain in the human body and in the environment for decades while it wrecks havoc.

The best thing you can do for yourself and your family and friends is to buy organic popcorn kernels and make your own popcorn!

It’s easy to do and can help you to avoid unhealthy chemicals, trans-fats and excess sodium. If you have no option but to microwave it, simply put about a ¼ cup of organic popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag and then season it with some Himalayan salt, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper or some grated cheese. You can also heat the kernels in a pan with a few tablespoons of olive oil or butter and then season to your own taste.

Sources

http://time.com/4017226/popcorn-health/
http://foodbabe.com/2013/11/12/microwave-popcorn/