Who Knew? Popcorn helps fight cancer

By Sheilah Downey (sheilahd@foodconsumer.org)

Popcorn and cereal grains -- thought to be good for their fiber content --  are now touted as cancer-fighting foods as well, according to new research.

Snack foods like popcorn and breakfast cereals like raisin bran contain "surprisingly large" amounts of antioxidant substances called polyphenols, says Dr. Joe Vinson, of the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In a first-of-its kind study, Vinson says popcorn has the highest levels of healthy antioxidants among all whole grain snacks, in his report to the American Chemical Society today.  Antioxidants are believed to help fight cancer.

"Early researchers thought the fiber was the active ingredient for these benefits in whole grains," said Vinson, lead author of the study.

"The reason they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease. But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important. Breakfast cereals, pasta, crackers and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the U.S. diet."

Vinson is the scientist who brought the welcome news to chocolate lovers everywhere that the cherished organic cocoa bean is also loaded with polyphenols.

In a recent study he found a single candy bar’s worth of milk chocolate – 40 grams – contains more than 300 milligrams of polyphenols, equivalent to a day’s worth of fruits and vegetables.

Foods like chocolate, wine, coffee and tea have been already known for their possible role in reducing heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

Until now, no one has known that snack foods and whole grain cereals are loaded with anti-cancer polyphenols.

Vinson's study was presented today at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.