How to make popcorn and its uses

Many people like to eat popcorn, so today I will tell you how to make popcorn and its nutritional value:

Popcorn raw materials

Corn Kernels

Popcorn Accessories

Oil and sugar

How to make popcorn

1. Wash the corn kernels several times, drain and dry them or wipe them dry with paper towels.

2. Put the corn kernels in a bowl, add a proper amount of oil, and mix well until the corn kernels are completely covered with oil.

3. Spread the corn kernels on the bottom of the pot, cover the pot, and heat over medium-low heat. After a while, you will hear a "bang bang" sound coming from the pot.

4. You can lift the pot halfway through, press the lid tightly, and shake it a few times to ensure even heating.

5. When the pot gradually calms down, it is ready. Turn off the heat, open the lid, sprinkle sugar evenly, and stir with chopsticks.

Popcorn·Chinese Herbal Medicine

【Pinyin name】Yù Mǐ Huā

【Other name】Corn flower

【source】

Medicinal material source: The male flower spike of corn, a plant of the Poaceae family.

Latin plant, animal and mineral name: Zea mays L.

Harvesting and storage: Harvested in summer and autumn and sun-dried.

[Original form] Maize is a tall annual cultivated plant. The culm is stout, erect, 1-4m high, usually unbranched, and often has aerial roots at the base nodes. The leaves are broad, linear-lanceolate, with wavy edges and strong midribs. The male-spreading panicle grows on the top of the culm; the male inflorescence branches are triangular, with 2 male spikelets at each node, 1 sessile and 1 with short stalks; each male spikelet contains 2 florets, the glumes are membranous, and the tip is pointed; the lemma and palea are transparent and membranous; the cylindrical female inflorescence emerges from the leaf axil, and the female inflorescence is covered with many sheath-like bracts. The female spikelets are densely arranged in longitudinal rows on the stout spike axis, with broad glumes, rounded or slightly concave tips, and the lemma is membranous and transparent. Flowering and fruiting period is July-September.

[Habitat distribution] Widely cultivated throughout the country.

【Pharmacological action】

1. Effect on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Intragastric administration of 5g/kg corn pollen (with physiological saline, homogenized, centrifuged and filtered) can effectively inhibit the increase of serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in mice caused by intravenous injection of Tirton WR-1339 or feeding with high cholesterol. Feeding 8g/kg can significantly reduce the increase of serum TC, TG and low-density lipoprotein in chickens (Laihang breed) caused by high cholesterol, increase the content of serum high-density lipoprotein, and reduce the area of ​​atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta of chickens by 74.1%. Corn pollen also has a significant effect on reducing hyperlipidemia in rabbits, and can restore the coagulation and fibrinolytic functions of hyperlipidemia rabbits, and significantly reduce and shrink the atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta. 2. Anti-myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.25g/kg corn pollen supernatant can significantly counteract myocardial ischemia in rats caused by posterior pituitary hormone, significantly reduce the positive rate of myocardial ischemia reaction, and prolong the ECG disappearance time after respiratory arrest in mice. However, in vitro tests showed that corn pollen had no significant effect on myocardial oxygen consumption. In addition, corn pollen supernatant can significantly increase the contraction amplitude of guinea pig auricles and accelerate heart rate. 3. Improve microcirculation. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.25g/kg corn pollen supernatant can significantly reduce blood flow stagnation and microthrombosis in hamsters caused by high molecular weight dextran, improve red blood cell aggregation, and reduce the effect of high molecular weight dextran on increasing the specific viscosity of rat whole blood.

4. Effect on the lifespan and free radical levels in the brain of houseflies. When 5% corn pollen was added to the culture medium, the housefly survival curve shifted parallel to the right (there was a trend of extending lifespan), the superoxide dismutase activity and protein content in the brain increased significantly, while the free radical luminescence intensity and lipofuscin content decreased.

5. Effect on the structure and function of erythrocyte membrane. Corn pollen can inhibit lipid peroxidation and maintain cell membrane function. Male rats were fed with feed containing 10% corn pollen for 10 consecutive weeks. The activities of erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase (311.5+/-35.5nmol Pi/mg Pro·h, 813.8+/-Pi/mg Pro·h, 624.9+/-23.3nmol Pi/mg Pro·h, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the normal control group (209.9+/-23.9nmol Pi/mg Pro·h, 624.9+/-23.3nmo Pi/mg Pro·h); at the same time, the contents of thiol and sialic acid increased significantly, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased.

6. Enhance the hypnotic effect of subthreshold doses of sodium pentobarbital. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.25g/kg corn pollen supernatant or oral gavage of 1.5g/kg pollen homogenate can significantly increase the number of mice with loss of righting reflex caused by subthreshold doses of sodium pentobarbital.

7. Effect on the digestive tract: Oral administration of 3g/kg corn pollen can significantly shorten the first period (inactive phase) of the transitional complex wave of the ileum and colon of awake guinea pigs, and significantly prolong the irregular peak electrical activity phase of the second period. Pollen supernatant 3×10(-5)g/ml can increase the linear force and activity of the isolated ileum and colon of guinea pigs, and atropine can partially inhibit the increase in tension.

8. Anti-fatigue effect: oral administration of 1.5g/kg pollen homogenate can significantly prolong the swimming time of mice.