Do you like restaurant foods a lot, especially thickened soups, crispy nuggets, shiny & translucent silky sauces, etc. & want to make them at home? Then, all you need is cornstarch. When mixed with any sauce or soup, this grain starch gives you a thicker form, which will be inviting to your palate. Cornstarch, when scattered over any nuggets or other food items & fried, will give us a crispy, savory & mouthwatering dish. Now, you may wonder- what does cornstarch taste like? And, is cornstarch healthy to eat? Okay! We will answer all of your questions & will elucidate every detail of this grain starch. So, let’s start:
What Is Cornstarch?
It is a kind of grain starch granule, which is of medium size & gets thickened when it is cooked at a high temperature. In fact, a higher temperature is required to cook it than to cook root starches. Nevertheless, once it attains that temperature, it gets thickened within no time. Cornstarch, being pure starch, acts as a good thickener than other flours such as wheat flour.
What Does Cornstarch Taste Like?
Cornstarch has a very mild, almost neutral taste. On its own, it’s slightly powdery with a faint hint of sweetness. When added to recipes, it’s virtually tasteless, which makes it perfect for thickening without altering flavors.
However, the real question lies not in its taste but its impact on health. This brings us to the burning question: Cornstarch—is it bad for you?
Cornstarch: Is It Bad for You?
The answer depends on how it’s used and your dietary needs. Cornstarch is primarily composed of carbohydrates and is naturally gluten-free. This makes it a good choice for those avoiding gluten due to conditions like celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
But here’s the catch: cornstarch has a high glycemic index (GI), meaning it can significantly affect your blood sugar levels. For people managing diabetes or blood sugar concerns, using cornstarch excessively or frequently might not be ideal. Foods with a high glycemic index, like cornstarch, can cause spikes in blood sugar, which may lead to energy crashes or health complications over time.
What Does Cornstarch Do?
Since cornstarch is made of endosperm, that is, the starchy parts of the corn kernels, it works as a thickening agent when making any food like gravies, sauces, casseroles, marinades & soups. Also, it is used for making crispies like crispy chicken nuggets, crispy chops, etc.
Besides these, cornstarch can be used for many other purposes outside the kitchen. Want to know what cornstarch uses? Well! When mixed with a few dips of water, cornstarch is a remedy for skin irritation or itchiness & soothing sunburns.
Moreover, the moisture-absorbing property of this grain starch makes it a natural deodorant that will decrease any sweat or odor in your body. You just have to mix it with the proper quantity of coconut oil & baking soda & heat it to get the effect.
Apply the mixture to your body when it gets to normal temperature. Furthermore, cornstarch can also be used as a shampoo or to create matte nail polish. It also acts as an ingredient for preparing the mixture of milk bath & prevents athlete’s foot.
Again, cornstarch’s feature of preventing friction between two bodies helps reduce any chafing between your thighs. Apart from that, cornstarch assists in detangling any hair knot & is also applied for relief in the area where a bug bites.
Additionally, this starch is also useful for many other applications like providing relief to a blister, polishing silverware, ironing, and increasing the grip of a tennis racquet & other sports equipment.
Moreover, it helps remove stains, freshen carpets, clean stuffed fabrics, remove grease spatter from cemented walls, give pet animals a dry bath, etc.
Is Cornstarch Healthy?
No, cornstarch can’t be considered healthy as it has high calories as well as carbohydrates & low essential nutrients such as vitamins, fibers, minerals & proteins. Do you want to know the ingredients in cornstarch?
128 gm (1 cup) of cornstarch comprises 488 calories, 117 gm of carbohydrates & 0.5 gm of protein. Also, it has 1 gm of fiber, 7 percent of copper (DV) & 7 percent of selenium (DV). Apart from that, 3 percent of iron (DV) & 3 percent of manganese (DV) are also present in it.
Is Eating Corn Starch Bad For You?
So, is cornstarch good for you? Of course, our answer will be ‘No’. Corn starch is bad for you if you intake it daily or in large amounts. This is because it may impact your health negatively. The health problems or side effects caused by cornstarch are:
Your Blood Sugar Level May Increased:
With the carbs & glycemic index being high in cornstarch & the fiber content being low, the process of absorption of sugar within your bloodstream becomes fast. And, because of it, your body very quickly digests cornstarch once you consume it. The result is clear! Your blood sugar level gets spiked.
Your Heart Health May be affected:
Cornstarch being a refined carb, goes through extensive processing. This processing strips the nutrients out of it. So, as per studies, regular consumption of cornstarch may adversely impact your heart health.
Research says that diets (such as cornstarch) full of refined carbs & high glycemic index possess a chance of giving you coronary heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, increased blood pressure & obesity.
Some other studies assert that diets that are high in the glycemic index may increase your triglyceride or insulin levels. It may also lower the HDL levels (good cholesterol levels), putting us at risk for heart disease.
Though these studies warn about the impact of cornstarch on human heart health, no proof regarding this has been found till now.
Your Body Nutrients Level Will Lower Down:
Our body needs all different nutrients to keep us healthy. Where a well-balanced diet gives you all kinds of essential nutrients to your body, cornstarch only adds calories & carbs to your body & not any other nutrition.
Yes, consuming more cornstarch indeed gives our body some proportion of micronutrients such as copper, selenium, etc.
But, you can give proper nutrition to your body by pairing cornstarch with different nutrient-rich dishes without consuming it separately. Apply brain & pair this grain starch with those dishes that will help you attain a balanced diet.
What Is Cornstarch Made Of?
It is mainly made of corn kernels after removing the outer bran of the corn & its germ. The left-behind starch-rich product (cornstarch)consists of carbs & is full of calories.
But, other nutrients such as protein, fiber, copper, selenium, iron & manganese are also present in negligible quantities within cornstarch.
Why Do People Eat Corn Starch?
People eat this grain starch as it has to be used along with other dishes to thicken them. Be it chili sauce, hot & sour soup, baked beans, or others, the credit for the thickening of those dishes goes to cornstarch.
Cornstarch also makes various food items crispy when used over them before frying them. So, if people like to eat thickened dishes or crispy succulent food items, they have no option but to consume cornstarch as it is used for making these food items or dishes.
Hence, people eat cornstarch not for nutrition or health benefits as it does not possess any nutrition or health benefits. They eat it for taste- of course, for the succulent taste of the food & not for the taste of the cornstarch.
This is because corn starch doesn’t have any taste as such. It is neither sweet nor bitter. In fact, its taste can be called neutral.
Does Cornstarch Have Gluten?
No, cornstarch doesn’t possess gluten. Since corn is a grain that is gluten-free & is prepared without the help of any other ingredients, cornstarch is also so. Hence, you can say that 100 percent pure cornstarch never has gluten.
Can You Eat Cornstarch Raw?
No, cornstarch must never be eaten raw. But, it is safe to eat it by mixing it with other dishes, though in small amounts. Just heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch on the stovetop/oven & mix it in the desired food item you would like to eat in a thickened form. To create a slurry, you need to mix this grain starch with cold water.
Does Cornstarch Make You Gain Weight?
Cornstarch is a kind of starch & comprises a hundred percent carbohydrates. It’s used in various foods, just like the usage of sugar. As all the carbohydrates leave, no unexpected weight gain happens with this grain starch if consumed in a normal proportion.
However, just as normal sugars get digested very quickly & change your glucose levels, leading to your hunger, so is cornstarch. And, if you start overeating due to your hunger instead of eating in a balanced way, you will gain weight. Otherwise, cornstarch never helps you to attain weight.
Cornstarch and Nutrition
Cornstarch is processed and contains very few nutrients. It doesn’t provide much vitamins, minerals, or fiber. If you’re wondering whether it’s a “healthy” ingredient, the answer lies in moderation. Occasional use is fine, but relying on it as a staple ingredient could lead to nutritional gaps in your diet.
Cornstarch Substitutes
If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, there are plenty of cornstarch substitutes available that can thicken your recipes without affecting your blood sugar levels as much. Some popular options include:
- Potato starch: Another naturally gluten-free option that works well in baked goods and sauces. It’s slightly less processed and has a lower GI.
- Arrowroot powder: A great choice for thickening soups and gravies while being easy to digest.
- Tapioca starch: This is another excellent substitute, especially for desserts like puddings.
- Almond flour: While not a direct substitute, it can work in some recipes for thickening with added protein.
Cornstarch in Baking and Cooking
Cornstarch shines in the kitchen. It’s a go-to ingredient for giving baked goods a softer texture, ensuring crispy coatings, and making sauces smooth. However, because it can increase blood sugar levels, it’s essential to balance its use with other whole-food ingredients that offer nutritional benefits.
Wrapping Up
Cornstarch is a handy kitchen ingredient that’s easy to use and versatile. While it’s not inherently “bad” for you, its high glycemic index can impact your blood sugar if consumed excessively. If you want to avoid spikes in blood sugar or want healthier options, consider using substitutes like potato starch or arrowroot powder in your recipes.
As with any ingredient, moderation is key. Whether you’re making soups, sauces, or baked goods, use cornstarch mindfully to enjoy its benefits without compromising your health.
So, what’s your favorite way to use cornstarch? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Answer: No, cornstarch is usually flavorless & its function is to add texture rather than adding taste to a dish. It’s a tasteless powder whose function is to thicken a dish or make it crispy when fried.
Answer: People don’t eat cornstarch for its taste. Instead, they eat this grain starch because they need to utilize it to thicken their foods, such as chili sauce, soups, baked beans, etc. Or, they eat it because they need to use it to make their foods (such as chicken nuggets, vegetable chops, etc.) crispy.
Answer: Nothing terrible will happen if you occasionally eat cooked cornstarch in average proportion. However, eating raw cornstarch may lead to anemia or iron deficiency. It may also result in various digestive problems such as gas, bloating, etc.
Besides, certain harmful bacteria are present in raw cornstarch & so consuming it raw may also cause various food-borne diseases or infections. Because of all these things, always consider eating it cooked as cooked cornstarch is safe for consumption.
Yes, cornstarch can affect your blood sugar levels due to its high glycemic index. If managing diabetes, consider limiting its use or opting for substitutes like arrowroot powder or almond flour.
Yes, cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. However, always check for cross-contamination in packaged products.
Absolutely! Cornstarch is often used in baked goods to create a tender texture. However, balancing its use with nutrient-dense ingredients can make your recipes healthier.
