A member of the whole grain family, corn is considered one of the most nutritious foods. According to experts, maize helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, aids digestion and helps maintain body weight as it has high fiber content. However, there are growing concerns that it is carcinogenic. it is?

“Absolutely not,” says Dr Karan Ranjan, an NHS surgeon and lecturer at the University of Sunderland, debunking myths about aflatoxin found in corn. It is popularly believed that corn contains at least 25 types of aflatoxins – a group of toxic substances produced by certain fungi that contaminate crops and cause serious health problems in humans and animals.

However, Dr. Ranjan says that this is not true. “Corn can actually be contaminated by certain molds, which then produce toxins like aflatoxin, which can be carcinogenic if consumed in high amounts over a long period of time, but it is not,” he said on a social media reel on Instagram. Incredibly impossible.”

What are aflatoxins?

Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus species and are commonly found in crops including corn, cottonseed, and nuts, especially in warm and humid environments where mold thrives. Aflatoxin-producing fungi contaminate crops at various stages, including in the field, during harvesting, and during storage.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, an estimated 25 percent of the world’s food crops are affected by mycotoxins – including aflatoxins. Nigeria, Kenya, India and China are particularly affected due to their climate and agricultural practices.

However, Dr. Ranjan said the amount of carcinogens found in corn would not be outweighed by the number of corn people eat in a day. For example, in the US, the safe limit for aflatoxin in corn would be about 20 micrograms per kg. The average aflatoxin in commercially available corn will be around 1–5 micrograms per kg. So, to get close to the daily limit of 20 micrograms of aflatoxin per day, you need to eat 4 to 20 kg of corn a day. In such a situation, aflatoxin will be the least of your worries,” he said.

“And even if you do that in a single day, acute exposure to that amount of aflatoxin is unlikely to be harmful. You would have to do this every day for weeks and months to experience the cumulative risks of aflatoxin exposure,” Dr. Ranjan said.

Corn is rich in antioxidants

Corn is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin – main pigments, or carotenoids that are antioxidants that protect your eyes. Studies say that carotenoids reduce the risk of eye problems along with inflammation and also protect against memory related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Dr. Ranjan, this information that there are 25 types of aflatoxins in maize is also wrong. “There are only 4 main types found in contaminated corn, and these are the ones that are already monitored for food safety. If you’re a corn lover in a country where there are some food safety regulations, it’s OK for you to eat corn,” he said.

Health Benefits of Eating Corn

Rich in fibre, carbohydrates and proteins, eating maize regularly gives you a good dose of insoluble fiber – which takes care of your gut health and reduces digestive problems like constipation. It also helps you lose weight by increasing the feeling of satiety after meals.

Since carotenoids and potassium are present in high amounts, corn also promotes heart health by controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The fiber present in corn helps control blood sugar levels by slowing the conversion of starch into glucose. This process helps keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent spikes.

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