Foods like cakes, pastries, and doughnuts, drinks like fruit juice, soft drinks, and beer, and even meats like sausage, bologna, and hotdogs all employ cornstarch in some way. It’s included in a lot of breakfast cereals and seasoning mixes. Obesity, hypertension, and cancer are just a few of the many health issues brought on by over consumption of these goods. Consuming significant amounts of raw cornstarch during pregnancy is also considered a compulsive condition that can lead to adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby.
Cornstarch, a fine powder, is added to sauces, gravies, and other liquids to make them thicker. Nonetheless, it can be broken down into glucose and subsequently fructose, in the form of HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup). Most syrups include between 42% and 55% fructose, with some reaching as high as 90%.
Below are some ways in which cornstarch can impact the body
Weight Gain
Experimental rats fed HFCS at Princeton University gained significantly more weight than control rats fed table sugar. The HFCS-fed rats also tended to have greater belly fat than the control group. Bart Hoebel, a professor of both psychology and neuroscience, claims that “All rats get obese when given high-fructose corn syrup at concentrations far lower than those seen in soda pop. The same is not true of rats who are given a high-fat diet, as not all of them will put on weight.”
Elevated Blood Pressure
The increased use of HFCS is also associated with hypertension. Nephrologists, who are specialists in the kidneys, from the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center looked at data from a survey spanning three years, concentrating on 4,500 adults who had no previous history of hypertension. According to the findings of the research, individuals who consume more than 3 sodas on a daily basis have an elevated chance of having high blood pressure.
Cancer
Cancer is another disease for which HFCS intake is a risk factor. Researchers at the Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, obtained pancreatic tumors from patients and cultured the cells on petri dishes. After that, they took a fructose solution and injected infused the cancer cells with it. They then watched as the cancer cells rapidly grew after receiving the fructose injection. The potential that fructose “might also promote the formation of other tumors as well” was indicated by Dr. Anthony Heaney, a clinical professor of medicine at the institution.
Amylophagia
A pregnancy-related obsessive illness known as amylophagia causes affected women to consume huge amounts of raw cornstarch. Though widespread, the disease is particularly prevalent in the American South’s rural areas. High blood glucose levels brought on by eating too much pure cornstarch have been linked to fetal defects, early birth, cesarean section, and increased birth weight.
Can You Eat Raw Cornstarch?
Some people use raw cornstarch to help control their diabetes and other blood sugar concerns, as you may have heard. According to study that was published in Diabetes Spectrum in February 2014, raw cornstarch has been utilized in medical therapy to treat cravings and increases in blood sugar in persons who suffer from hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes.
In reality, however, cornstarch is nutritionally empty and may cause stomach distress if consumed raw. Cornstarch should be cooked to kill any bacteria it might contain if eaten raw.
Are There Benefits of Eating Cornstarch?
Yes there are. I will list some below
Athlete’s Foot
Actually, athlete’s foot is a stinky podiatric condition brought on by a fungus that thrives on the foot’s outer skin. Athletes are especially prone to developing this ailment because they frequently perspire in their shoes, an environment in which fungus thrives. Because of its ability to absorb moisture, cornstarch is useful as a prophylactic measure. Cornstarch can help keep your feet dry and free of fungus if you sprinkle it on them.
Deodorant
Due to its capacity to absorb moisture and its lack of scent, cornstarch is a great choice for use in a fragrance-free deodorant. Combine 3 tbsp. of organic cornstarch, 4 tbsp. of baking soda, and 5 tbsp. of coconut oil in a mixing bowl. If you’d want to add a pleasant aroma, try mixing in some drops of tea tree oil. Combine everything and store in a jar for later use. Although scientific evidence showing this concoction to be as effective as commercial deodorants is lacking, it is undoubtedly safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.
Skin Irritation
Sunburn and other forms of skin irritation can be soothed using cornstarch in a do-it-yourself setting. To make a paste, mix 3 tbsp of cornstarch with enough cold water to achieve a peanut butter-like consistency. Apply the solution to the skin with a cotton ball or a gauze pad, then wait for it to dry completely. Put it on right before bed so it has time to absorb.
Oil Spot Removal
Although there are a variety of do-it-yourself methods for getting rid of stains, cornstarch is useful for greasy spills and blotches. A light dusting of cornstarch on the stain might help it soak up some of the moisture before you clean it as usual.
helpful for those with gastric dumping syndrome
In this syndrome, the hypertonic contents of the stomach move quickly through the child’s stomach and into the intestines. Because too much water gets into the colon, it can cause osmotic diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, low blood volume, and low blood sugar. When children are fed through a gastrostomy, uncooked cornstarch is used to slow down the rate at which their stomachs empty. Cornstarch, a complex carbohydrate, provides sustained and sluggish glucose release. This boost to the kids’ blood sugar levels gives them more energy, makes their symptoms go away, and makes them gain weight in a noticeable way.
Insect Bites
Wetness, oil, and germs can make the pain and irritation of bug bites worse. Using a cornstarch paste on the bite will help keep it clean, dry, and less itchy. Make a peanut butter-like paste by combining 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with lukewarm water. Apply it to the sore spot with a cotton ball.
What causes a person to crave cornstarch?
Those who suffer from Pica, a type of bulimia, have an uncontrollable urge to consume inedible substances.
Ice chips, mud, cornstarch, and other inedibles fall into this category.
Cornstarch is technically a food, but most people don’t eat it on its own. Instead, they use it to thicken or stabilize other foods.
When you only eat cornstarch, this is similar enough to when you eat something that isn’t food that it should be counted the same way.
Get medical attention right away if you suspect you have pica.
Pica has major health consequences if it is not treated.
Pregnancy
Cornstarch cravings are frequent throughout pregnancy.
There are numerous physiological shifts that occur during pregnancy.
Your body is doing its best to accommodate a rapidly expanding human being, while your hormones can be all over the place.
That you would experience some unusual food desires at this time is not surprising.
Cornstarch is very safe to eat while pregnant.
Consuming little amounts of cornstarch won’t harm you or your unborn child.
In fact, it’s been shown to alleviate pregnancy-related sickness.
What are some cornstarch substitutes?
Wheat flour
Flour from wheat is produced by grinding the grain into a very fine powder.
Wheat flour, unlike cornstarch, is a good source of fiber and a complete protein. It is also a good source of carbohydrates. You can use flour instead of cornstarch, but you will need more flour to get the same results.
White flour can be used instead of cornstarch in a 1:1 ratio for thickening purposes. Use 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
You can try thickening with wheat or whole grain flour, but you’ll probably need a lot more of it than you would with white flour because of the higher fiber content.
Arrowroot
For their starchy flour, tropical plants in the genus Maranta are dug up and processed into arrowroot.
As a thickener, arrowroot is made by drying and grinding the plant’s roots into a powder.
Due to its higher fiber content, arrowroot is preferred by some over cornstarch.
When mixed with water, it makes a clear gel that is great for keeping liquids in place.
Potato starch
Cornstarch can also be replaced with potato starch. Crushing potatoes releases their starch, which is subsequently dried into a powder for use.
Since it is not a grain, it does not contain gluten in the same way that arrowroot does. It’s high in carbohydrates but low in fat and protein because it’s a refined starch.
Like most tuber starches, potato starch has a mild flavor that won’t change the taste of your food.
The ratio of potato starch to cornstarch should be 1 to 1. As a result, you can substitute potato starch for cornstarch by the tablespoon.
How do I stop eating raw cornstarch?
“Pica” is a word for wanting to eat anything that isn’t good for you, like cornstarch or even soap. More than 5% of pregnant Brazilian women have done this, which makes it a pretty common thing for pregnant women to do.
Iron deficiency is frequently associated with pica. In light of this, you need to have your doctor check you for anemia. Sometimes, with sWith some time, an iron supplement can sometimes cure an iron deficiency and the hunger that comes with it.emia do not respond quickly to iron supplements.
Can cornstarch help clear your skin?
Corn starch helps skin that gets acne because it gets rid of the extra oil that causes it. Dirt, dust, grease, filth, and the like can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Many skin conditions can be helped by using cornstarch. Vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc, are abundant in cornstarch and all work together to encourage the growth of new skin cells and keep the skin in good condition. Cornstarch is often used in cosmetics because it has a lot of healthy vitamins and minerals.