How Long Does It Take to Digest Corn?

Do you love eating corn but have digestive issues, and you worry about how long it takes to digest the corn in your stomach? Let’s find out a few tips to help you shorten digestion time and a few things you should consider if you plan to eat corn more often.

Are you a big fan of corn, even if you eat it on the cob, cornmeal, or cornstarch? No matter how you will eat it, it is recommended to understand how your body processes it so you can make informed decisions about your diet and overall health.

How Long Does It Take to Digest Corn?

The human body can’t digest corn, but it can extract other useful nutrients from it. Because corn contains an insoluble fiber called cellulose that our bodies cannot digest, the corn will sit in your bodies for around 8-36 hours, depending on your digestive system.

How to Digest It Faster?

The best way to enjoy corn is to boil it, as you will not add any additional fats. If you know that you have issues with your digestive system, try to avoid fried corn and, even more important, canned corn, as it contains a lot of added substances and preservatives.

Does Corn Slow Digestion?

The problem with corn is that it contains a type of indigestible plant fiber, as well as starch which sits for a longer period of time in your digestive system.

Because of that, when you’re eating corn, consider chewing it for a little bit more than usual to break it down, even more, to simplify your stomach the task of extracting more easily the useful nutrients from the corn.

One of the biggest problems many people have is consuming corn in addition to a piece of butter or olive oil, making it fattier and even harder to digest.

So, corn is not the most nutritious food, but if you like it, you may eat it in moderation, avoiding canned corn and adding a ton of butter or olive oil during the cooking of it.

Is It Good for Your Gut?

One of the benefits of corn is that it is rich in dietary fibers like other grains. The advantage of these fibers is that they can reduce the risk of constipation, maintain healthy bowel movements, and support the growth of beneficial bacteria.

However, if we compare corn with other foods, it has a lot fewer dietary fibers. For example, a can of beans will have more than 4x dietary fiber if we compare corn with beans.

In addition, different antioxidants and other plant compounds present in the corn protect the gut lining and may help reduce inflammation. It is important to note that the relationship between diet and gut health is complex and individualized.

Is Eating Too Much Corn Bad for You?

Eating corn in large quantities is not a good idea as it is rich in sugar and starch and will consume too many calories without nutrients. Those factors will contribute to gaining unwanted weight and other health problems.

Because of that, if you like eating corn, avoid canned and fried corn and consume it in moderation in order to reduce the risks from it.

If you notice any discomfort or other issues after eating the corn, consider consulting a nutritionist or a doctor to help identify the problem’s cause.