Cornstarch is a mostly tasteless powder that is used commercially in products such as baby powder and cosmetics and in foods as a thickening agent. As a classic example of a refined carbohydrate, cornstarch is extracted from corn through extensive processing that removes most of the original nutritional value. There are some theories about eating raw cornstarch to keep hunger at bay and help control blood sugar, but you may be wondering if raw cornstarch is bad for you. Here you will find everything you need to know. Is raw cornstarch edible? You may have heard that people eat raw cornstarch to treat blood sugar problems and control diabetes. It’s true that raw cornstarch has been used as a medical intervention for cravings and blood sugar spikes in people with type 2 diabetes and hypoglycemia, according to research from the February 2014 Diabetes Spectrum. But the truth is, cornstarch lacks nutrients, and eating it raw can cause unpleasant digestive side effects, such as gas, bloating, and stomach pain, according to Mount Sinai. Raw cornstarch can also harbor harmful bacteria, so you should cook it to ensure it is safe to eat. What is cornstarch? Every grain, including corn, has three main parts: the germ, the bran and the endosperm, according to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. The bran and germ are very nutritious as they contain most of the grain’s fiber, fat and B vitamins. Cornstarch is made solely from the endosperm of corn, which has a high starch content, and is considered a processed food with little nutritional value. While starch is an important nutrient in our diet, it is not digested in the same way when it comes from whole corn as when it comes from corn starch. Whole grains have fiber, which helps keep blood sugar stable, while cornstarch does not. The carbohydrates in cornstarch are digested more quickly, which could cause your blood sugar to spike after eating it (although you’d have to eat a good amount for that to happen). Can you eat raw cornstarch? It is not advisable to eat raw cornstarch for several reasons. For one thing, eating raw cornstarch can cause digestive symptoms like gas and bloating. Heating starches during cooking helps break them down, making them easier to digest. Cooking cornstarch into recipes also ensures that any harmful bacteria you may have come into contact with are killed, which will decrease your risk of contracting a foodborne illness. Typically, a recipe will call for one to two tablespoons of cornstarch. Raw cornstarch and pica If you regularly feel like eating cornstarch, talk to your doctor, as this is a symptom of a disorder called pica. Pica is a craving for substances not defined as foods, such as dirt, chalk, paper, charcoal or raw starches, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Not much is known about the causes of pica, but it has been linked to iron deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency, according to August 2014 research in the American Journal of Human Biology. Teenagers and pregnant people are at higher risk. If you think you have pica, talk to your doctor right away, who can give you blood tests to check for anemia or zinc deficiency. The best way to eat cornstarch Although it lacks nutrients, cornstarch is a highly multifunctional product. A safe way to eat cornstarch is to incorporate it into dishes: it acts as an excellent thickener in sauces, soups, stews and curries. Because cornstarch does not contain gluten, it can serve as an alternative to wheat flour in recipes for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. But there are also more nutritious gluten-free flour options, like oat flour, which has significantly more fiber, protein, and minerals than cornstarch.
Can you eat raw cornstarch? Is it bad for you?
