Ear of Fresh Corn

Corn, sweet, yellow, raw

Source: USDA Nutrient Database. Protein daily value based on ISSN Position Stand for an individual weighing ~150 lbs.

Corn FAQ

Table of Contents

• Is corn gluten-free?
• Is corn keto?
• Is corn low FODMAP?
• Is corn paleo?
• Is corn high in carbs?
• Is corn high in fiber?
• Is corn high in sugar?
• Is corn high in potassium?
• Is corn Whole30?
• Is corn vegan?
• Does corn contain fat?
• Does corn contain protein?
• Does corn contain cholesterol?
• Is corn high in omega-6?
• Does corn contain calcium?
• Does corn contain iron?
• Does corn contain Vitamin C?
• Is corn high in Lysine?
• Is corn low oxalate?
• Is corn high in uric acid?
• Is corn low in histamine?
• Does corn contain phosphorus?
• Is corn high in arginine?
• Does corn boost testosterone?
• Does corn contain estrogen?
• Does corn contain vitamin K?
• Is corn good for fertility?
• Is corn halal?
• Can you eat corn on the Atkins diet?
• Can you eat corn on the Mediterranean diet?
• Is corn kosher?
• Is corn high in Magnesium?
• Is corn high in purines?
• Is corn high in sodium?
• Is corn high in lectins?

Is corn gluten-free?

Yes, corn in its natural form is a gluten-free grain. It does not contain gluten, which is a protein that is commonly found in wheat, barley, and rye, and is safe to eat for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. However, processed corn products like cornbread or cornflakes may not be gluten-free due to cross-contamination or added ingredients, so it is always recommended to check labels in these cases.

Is corn keto?

No, corn is not considered keto-friendly. The ketogenic diet emphasizes low-carb, high-fat foods, and a single medium-sized ear of fresh corn contains about 19 grams of carbohydrates. This is a substantial amount and can easily exceed the daily carb limits of a typical ketogenic diet, which generally restricts individuals to 20-50 grams of carbs a day.

Is corn low FODMAP?

No, corn, especially sweet corn, is not considered a low FODMAP food. FODMAPs are specific types of carbohydrates that can cause digestive issues in some people. A medium-sized ear of fresh corn contains higher amounts of the FODMAP fructan, which may cause digestive upset in individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or similar conditions.

Is corn paleo?

No, corn is not paleo-friendly. The paleo diet is designed to mimic the foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors might have eaten, and it often excludes grains, including corn. Plus, most modern corn is genetically modified, which does not fit into the natural, unprocessed food focus of the paleo diet.

Is corn high in carbs?

Corn contains some carbs, but is not considered high in carbs. One medium-sized ear of corn contains around 19 grams of carbohydrates which is approximately 7% of the recommended daily value for most adults.

Is corn high in fiber?

No, corn is not high in fiber, but contains some dietary fiber, One medium-sized ear of corn contains approximately 2.4 grams of fiber, which is about 7% of the recommended daily value (DV).

Is corn high in sugar?

Corn does contain sugar, but it’s not particularly high. A medium-sized ear of corn contains around 6 grams of sugar, but it is naturally occurring sugar and not added sugar. For context, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of calories daily.

Is corn high in potassium?

Corn does provide potassium, but it’s not among the highest sources. A medium-sized ear of corn contains around 275mg of potassium, or 6% of the recommended daily value (DV). This contrasts with the recommended daily value of 4,700 mg for adults, making corn a moderate source of potassium.

Is corn Whole30?

No, corn is not allowed on the Whole30 diet. The Whole30 program views corn as a grain, not a vegetable, and grains are eliminated in this diet. The goal of Whole30 is to eliminate certain food groups, including grains, that might be having a negative impact on your health and fitness.

Is corn vegan?

Yes, an ear of fresh corn is vegan. It’s a plant-based food and does not contain any animal products or by-products, making it suitable for a vegan diet.

Does corn contain fat?

Yes, corn does contain fat but in a very small amount. A medium-size ear of corn contains about 1.25 grams of fat, which is around 1.9% of the recommended daily value (based on a 2000 calorie daily diet). Keep in mind, however, that the preparation method can significantly alter the fat content, as cooking in butter or oil will add additional fats.

Does corn contain protein?

Yes, corn contains protein. A medium-sized ear of fresh corn contains around 3 grams of protein or about 3% of the daily recommended value based on a 2000 calorie diet. Although, it’s worth noting that corn does not supply complete proteins – it lacks some essential amino acids – so it should not be the primary source of protein in your diet and you should look to complement your intake with other sources of protein.

Does corn contain cholesterol?

No, an ear of fresh corn does not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol is only found in animal-based products.

Is corn high in omega-6?

No, corn is not high in omega-6, but contains some omega-6 fatty acids. An average ear of fresh corn contains about 0.5 grams of omega-6. The daily intake of omega-6 fatty acids for adults is approximately 17 grams for men and 12 grams for women according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Does corn contain calcium?

Yes, ear of fresh corn contains small amounts of calcium; about 2 milligrams per ear. However, this is a minimal quantity when we consider the daily recommended calcium intake for adults, which ranges from 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams.

Does corn contain iron?

Yes, an ear of fresh corn contains around 0.5 milligrams of iron. The recommended daily intake for adults is 8 milligrams for men and 18 milligrams for women according to the National Institutes of Health. Therefore, while corn does contain iron, it’s not a significant source of this nutrient.

Does corn contain Vitamin C?

Yes, an ear of fresh corn does contain Vitamin C, about 6.5 mg per medium ear of corn The recommended daily value of Vitamin C for an average adult is 75-90 mg, so corn provides a moderate contribution towards this goal.

Is corn high in Lysine?

Corn contains a modest amount of Lysine. There’s about 0.207 g Lysine per 100g serving of corn. As for the daily value, it’s hard to establish as an amount hasn’t been stated for Lysine; However, it’s recognized that an adequate intake for adults, according to the World Health Organization, is about 30mg per kg of body weight. Corn is not a high source compared to foods like eggs or meat.

Is corn low oxalate?

Yes, corn is considered a low-oxalate food. An ear of corn typically contains less than 5mg of oxalates per 100g serving. Low-oxalate foods are those that contain less than 10mg of oxalates per serving, so corn definitely falls into this category. Low oxalate diets are often recommended for individuals prone to kidney stones.

Is corn high in uric acid?

No, corn is not high in uric acid. In fact, culinary corn has almost no uric acid. Uric acid levels in the body are primarily a result of the breakdown of substances called purines, found in high quantities in certain meats and seafood. Corn, being a plant-based food, contains significantly lower levels of purines and hence, contributes minimally to uric acid production. Regularly consuming high-purine foods can lead to high levels of uric acid in the body, which can cause health problems, such as gout and kidney stones.

Is corn low in histamine?

Yes, corn, including an ear of fresh corn, is generally low in histamine. Histamine is naturally present in many foods, but it’s not typically abundant in corn. Although, please note that histamine levels can vary and may be affected by factors such as how the corn is stored or prepared.

Does corn contain phosphorus?

Yes, fresh corn does contain phosphorus. A medium-sized ear of corn (about 6.5 oz or 155 g) contains approximately 121 mg of phosphorus. To give context, adults should aim to consume around 700 mg of phosphorus per day, so an ear of fresh corn can provide about 17% of the daily recommended value.

Is corn high in arginine?

Corn does contain arginine, but it’s not considered especially high. A medium-sized ear of corn has around 0.27 g of arginine. The recommended daily intake of arginine varies, but in general it ranges from 4 to 6 grams for adults, so an ear of corn provides only a small part of that.

Does corn boost testosterone?

There is no strong scientific evidence to suggest that corn specifically boosts testosterone. It’s worth mentioning that testosterone levels are influenced by a variety of factors, including overall diet, physical exercise, sleep and stress levels. It’s always best to maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle for optimum hormone levels.

Does corn contain estrogen?

No, corn does not contain estrogen. Estrogen, a key hormone in the body, is not found in corn.

Does corn contain vitamin K?

Yes, corn does contain vitamin K, but in very small quantities. A medium-sized ear of corn contains approximately 0.3 micrograms of vitamin K. Given that the recommended daily intake for adults is 90 micrograms for women and 120 micrograms for men, corn is not a significant source of vitamin K.

Is corn good for fertility?

Corn can contribute to a fertility-friendly diet as it provides several nutrients needed for fertility health. But it isn’t specifically research-proven as beneficial for fertility. However, corn is a good source of folate, a vital nutrient for preventing neural tube defects in pregnancy, with one medium-sized ear containing around 34.3 micrograms. The CDC recommends a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid for women trying to conceive and during early pregnancy.

Is corn halal?

Yes, corn in its natural form is halal, meaning it is permissible according to Islamic law. As with any food, corn-based products may contain added ingredients that are not halal, so every product’s ingredients should be evaluated individually.

Can you eat corn on the Atkins diet?

Corn is generally not recommended on the Atkins diet, especially during the initial phases. The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet, and an ear of fresh corn has about 27g of carbohydrates, which is a substantial portion of the daily carb limit on this diet (usually under 20-30g per day).

Can you eat corn on the Mediterranean diet?

Yes, you can eat corn on the Mediterranean diet. Corn fits within the diet’s principles as it emphasizes consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables. An ear of fresh corn contains fiber (about 2g, with daily recommendations being 25-30g), which is beneficial for digestive health.

Is corn kosher?

Corn, like all natural vegetables, is generally kosher. However, it depends on how it’s prepared and processed. In its unprocessed form, fresh corn on the cob would be considered kosher.

Is corn high in Magnesium?

Corn does contain some magnesium but it’s not particularly high. An ear of fresh corn contains about 38mg of magnesium. The daily recommended intake for magnesium lies between 310-420mg, depending on gender and age, so corn can contribute to this but isn’t a major source.

Is corn high in purines?

No, corn is not high in purines. An average ear of corn contains about 79 milligrams of purines. For reference, a low-purine diet often suggests keeping purine intake under 100-150 milligrams per day.

Is corn high in sodium?

No, corn is not high in sodium. A medium-sized ear of corn contains about 14 milligrams of sodium. This is only about 1% of the daily recommended intake of 2300 milligrams for adults.

Is corn high in lectins?

Corn does contain lectins, but it is not considered high in these compounds when compared to other foods. The amount of lectins in corn can vary, but it is significantly reduced when the corn is cooked. It’s important to remember that most lectins are found in the corn’s seed coat, which is often removed when corn is processed. To further eliminate any potential issue related to lectins, always consume corn well cooked.