What is Purple Corn?
The Purple corn is native to Peru, stands out or characterized by its purple color and antioxidant properties, mainly in antocianinas, which is a great ally to lose weight and prevent cancer, is also known in Spanish-speaking countries as ; Maíz Morado, Choclo Morado or Maíz Peruano in English-speaking countries such as; Purple Corn or Peruvian Corn.
The Purple Corn has nutritional properties and an antioxidant in common with blueberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes that is antocianina, purple pigmentation and offers similar benefits.
The Golden Berry and the Purple Corn are emblematic products of Peru. If you want to know all about the Peruvian Purple Corn or Peruvian Corn, here you will have all the necessary information to continue discovering more of this fabulous purple bean.
Origin and Cultivation of Purple Corn
The Purple Corn is a food source of the Peruvian Andes, is certified by the history of Country, is cultivated and consumed since pre-Inca times, was cultivated in the Andean valleys by the ancient Incas, there is evidence in crafts, ceramics and textiles the presence of this grain in the Mochica Culture dating back more than 2,500 years.
It has been so much the welcome for its medicinal properties that the crop has expanded to other countries have joined the crop as Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico.
The Peruvian Maize Plant is cultivated in the months of August to October in the mountains and from April to September on the coast between 1,200 to 4,000 meters above sea level it can withstand hot and cold climates, in loamy clay loam soils with good moisture capacity , it is harvested between 9 to 12 months of the crop.
Characteristics and Types of Purple Corn
The Purple Corn or Peruvian Corn Plant is a vigorous annual herb with an erect stem, knotty and solid between 60cm to 6 meters high from the root to the tip of the stem, it has a fibrous root, it has alternate leaves, linear and long, they have masculine flowers that is in the part ends of the stem that is on top of the ear and the feminine ones are the beautiful ones and the cob with modified leaves that surrounds the Peruvian Maize.
Peruvian Corn or the fruit is composed of the grain (15%) of variable size, shape, color and content of sugar-starch, are arranged on the tussa, coronta or corn cob (85%), has a length between 7.5 cm and 50 cm. The color of the grains can be white, yellow, red, purple, brown, green, blue or purple.
There are different varieties or species of Maiz Morado or Zea mays. L, derived from the ancentral type «Kculli», which has been cultivated since the Andes.
- Purple Canteño
- Caraz Purple
- Arequipeño Purple
- Cusco Purple
- Junín Purple
Nutritional Properties of Purple Corn
The Purple Corn has the following nutritional values, chemical compounds salicylic acid, fats, resins, saponins, potassium and sodium salts, sulfur and phosphorus. And phenoic compounds that act as antioxidants helping the body avoid the appearance of enzymes producing free radicals.
It has the following natural antioxidants: it has Cyanidin between 5 and 10 times more than blueberries, pelargonidin, peonidin, phenolic acids, quercetin and hesperidin.
It has a high content in anthocyanin, it is the blue purple pigmentation of the Corn it is a powerful natural antioxidant, it is 3.5 times more powerful than the vitamin E.
And finally the Peruvian Corn has between 7.7 to 13% of protein level, 3.3% of oil and 61.7% of starch, vitamins and essential minerals such as iron, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin.
Nutritionally composition per 100 grams of Purple Corn
- Energy —————> 357 kcal
- Protein —————> 7.30 gr.
- Humidity —————> 11.4%
- Fat —————> 3.40 gr.
- Carbohydrates —————> 76.20
- Fiber —————> 1.80 gr.
- Ash —————> 1.70 gr.
- Calcium —————> 12.0 mg.
- phosphorus —————> 328 mg.
- Iron —————> 8.0 mg
- Vitamin B1 —————> 0.38 mcg.
- Vitamin B5 —————> 2.85 mcg.
- Anthocyanin —————> 6.0 gr.
- Vitamin B2 —————> 0.22 mcg.
- Ascorbic acid —————> 2.10 mg
What benefits does the Purple Corn have?
What is the use of purple corn or Peruvian corn? There are many people who ask these questions, but you should know that this corn marvel offers you a series of benefits, I will mention the 10 main benefits of the Zea Mays Purpura.
Fights and prevents diabetes
Of course, the Zea mays L helps fight diabetes, because when we consume it helps our body synthesize fatty acids being very favorable for people with diabetes and for people who suffer from obesity.
Helps lose weight and lose weight
Purple Corn has a high potential for weight reduction, since it has C3G corn anthocyanin, which is a substance with high indices that prevents obesity and keeps blood pressure low.
Slows skin aging
Due to its antioxidant content, Peruvian Maize slows down the aging of the cells and the aging of the skin.
Prevents cancer
The consumption of the Peruvian Corn helps to fight cancerous diseases like the cancer of the colon and the cancer of the rectum, in addition it manages to fight the cancer of the skin.
Scientific studies from the University of Ohio-USA, discovered that the anthocyanins contained in Peruvian Corn removed 20% of cancer cells in vitro, in addition they are much more powerful than other vegetables such as radishes, purple carrots, grapes and berries.
Improves the cardiovascular system
Being a more powerful antioxidant in the world, it reduces bad cholesterol and helps improve blood circulation and protects our blood vessels from oxidative deterioration, also stabilizes the tension without causing side effects and protects the capillary arteries.
Strengthens the immune system
The Peruvian Corn because of its rich phytonutrient composition, it allows them to act as a protective shield, protecting our body from the external effects of the environment.
Contains antiinflammatory properties
According to one carried out in the University of Tokai Gakuen-Japan, the anti-inflammatory response of C3G was confirmed, thanks to the fact that it possesses C3G corn anthocyanin.
Regenerates collagen
It is recommended the consumption can help in the regeneration of tissues and formation of collagen, being in this way beneficial for the health of the skin, thanks to the anthocyanins that it possesses.
Recommended dose and contradictions of Ourple Corn
There is no official dose or ration per person per day of purple corn, but some doctors or health centers recommend consuming a fruit between 4 to 5 times a week, it can be prepared in soft drinks, desserts or meals, if they do not have the disposition to get the fruit, you can get it in powder, take between 5 to 10 grams as an ideal dose and if you want a greater nutritional intake between 10 to 20 grams a day.
Excess consumption of Peruvian Corn can cause the following contraindications or negative side effects:
- In allergic people can cause allergies with redness or rashes due to its high starch content
- Pregnant women, can cause a miscarriage because of its property stimulating blood circulation, also in lactating women consume in moderation.
Questions about the Purple Corn
How many calories the Purple corn or Peruvian Corn?
The Choclo Morado is a grain that has few regular amounts of calories in its fresh state has 357 calories per 100 grams.
How can I consume the Purple Corn or Peruvian Corn?
There are several ways to consume the Choclo Morado the important thing is to take advantage of its medicinal properties, you can do it through purple corn flour, grains, capsules, liquid or on the cob.
Images of the Purple Corn
Recipes with Purple Corn or Peruvian Corn
The Peruvian Corn is one of the Peruvian grains that is recognized for its peculiar color and antioxidant content you will find recipes for food and dishes made with the Purple Corn to take advantage of its medicinal and healing properties.
And if you ask yourself how can I consume the Purple Corn?. Well here you will learn how to prepare, make or cook the Purple Corn with these fabulous and nutritious recipes, you can enter by clicking on the images of the recipe you want to learn to cook Or you can enter Recipes with Purple Corn.
⏺ Peruvian Purple Chicha
⏺ Purple Porridge
⏺ Purple Corn Muffins
⏺ Purple Corn Arabic Rice
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