Is cornstarch bad for you?

Cornstarch is often used when making soups, stews or sauces to increase the consistency and consistency of the dish. Desserts like cakes also have cornstarch in the ingredients. So what is cornstarch and is it good to eat cornstarch?

Cornstarch, also known as cornstarch, you can find cornstarch in many different recipes. With some baked goods, cornstarch is used to soften the cake. With fried foods, cornstarch is added to increase the crunchiness of the outer crust of the dish.

Nutritionally, cornstarch provides many calories and carbohydrates, but the content of other important nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals is very low.
Consuming 130g of cornstarch is equivalent to providing the body with 490 calories, 120 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fiber, 0.5 grams of protein, 7% copper and selenium, 3% iron and manganese. However, we usually eat more cornstarch, so this value will be higher.
For example, when making a soup or sauce, the average amount of cornstarch used is about 1 - 2 tablespoons (equivalent to 8 - 16g). With such an amount, the nutritional value that cornstarch provides is very low.

Consuming a small amount of cornstarch can cause the following problems:
Increases blood sugar: Given the calorie and carb value that cornstarch provides, eating too much can cause the glycemic index to rise. Besides, the low fiber content in cornstarch not only slows down the absorption of sugar into the blood, but also makes the body digest it faster, leading to increased blood sugar. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes need to avoid adding cornstarch to their diet. Harm to the heart: Carbs in cornstarch are in refined form, so cornstarch has very little nutritional value. If consuming a lot of cornstarch on a regular basis in particular, refined carbs in general can cause some problems for the heart such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity. The body lacks necessary nutrients: Cornstarch only provides a large value of calories and carbs, the rest do not bring many other necessary nutrients. Therefore, in order for the body not to be deficient in nutrients, it is necessary to combine cornstarch with many other nutrient-rich foods to obtain a varied and balanced diet, ensuring that the nutritional needs of the body are met. body.

Although ground cornstarch may cause certain health effects, using cornstarch in moderation can help make a fuller and healthier diet.
If you have diabetes or are on a low-carb diet, cornstarch should not be added to dishes. When there is a need to use cornstarch, only 1-2 tablespoons should be used in one cooking time. In addition, other flours can be used as substitutes such as tapioca, potato flour, wheat flour, ...
Finally, make sure that the cornstarch used is certified gluten-free if found to be gluten-free. are allergic to gluten or have celiac disease .
As with many other foods, regular use of cornstarch in large amounts can be harmful to health. However, if used in moderation and in moderation, it fits perfectly into a healthy diet and other foods.
For more information about a variety of foods and diets for each subject, you can refer to the article on the website of Vinmec International General Hospital. All knowledge is constantly updated and shared by experienced doctors.

Reference source: healthline.com