To wonder what the point in eating sweetcorn is?

[cowbiscuits]

When it just comes out exactly the same as it just went in?

Do our bodies actually derive any nutritional benefit from it?

DS loves the stuff.

Sweetcorn is bloody lovely. As is corn on the cob and creamed corn.

Must go and make corn chowder now...

A bowl of sweetcorn and black pepper. Food of the gods!!

The part that you see exit your body as part of your fecal matter is actually the part that the human digestive system can't do much with, because we don't have the enzymes (complicated proteins that the body creates) to break apart what the corn kernel covering is made of...some animals can, though. I think that maybe seeing the coverings not digested is what made you think that the whole corn kernel isn't digested.

The rest of the corn kernel (the interior stuff) is easily digestible by the human digestive system. The center part of the kernel is mainly starch (complex carbohydrate) and a little bit of protein...and a few vitamins and minerals. The human body then can absorb the breakdown products from the starch and protein, as well as the vitamins and minerals into the blood stream, where the materials can be delivered to the rest of the body tissues.

So, the end result is that, in order to get the maxiumum nutritional yield from the sweet corn you eat, make sure that it is well cooked and that you chew it well, so your digestive tract has the chance to 'capture' all the nutrients that it can from the corn.

There is a good point to eating it.

Its only the empty holders that we dont digest/break down with out teeth or stomachs.

But the contents of each individual one is digested.

DH calls it Tracer Corn (because you get to track the speed of your digestive system).

^God that sounded twatty. I don't serve only super-foods (!), but I try serve healthier vegetables.

Bless you and your self awareness, that was exactly what I thought!

OP I am convinced it has no nutritional value for the reason you stated. It does taste good though!

It's an excuse for butter and more butter.