Mokkajonna (Corn) Maize

 

Corn also contains vitamin B6, a nutrient necessary for maintaining healthy levels of pyridoxine. Pyridoxine deficiency can cause anemia and may increase the risk of developing heart disease, depression, and premenstrual syndrome. Corn is also rich in vitamin C  that helps protect your cells from damage and wards off diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Corn has smaller amounts of vitamins B, E, and K, along with minerals such as potassium. Potassium helps regulate the circulatory (blood) system, maintaining adequate blood flow and a strong heartbeat. Low potassium levels may lead to a potentially serious condition called hypokalemia.

Nutritional composition: 

Pollens and seeds are the nutritious and edible parts of maize. 

Seeds are consumed in raw and cooked form that serves as good source of carbohydrates. 

Corn contain vitamin B-complex such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (niacin), B3 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6 that makes it commendable for hair, skin, digestion, heart and brain. 

It contains vitamin C, A and K together with large amount of betacarotene and fair amount of selenium that helps to improve thyroid gland and play important role in proper functioning of immune system.

 It has higher content of protein and fat as compared to other cereals.

 Corn silk contains maizeric acid, fixed oils, resin, sugar, mucilage, salt and fibres essential for our diet. 

Corn syrup is useful in manufacturing of jams, jellies, and other sweets and as a additive for cane sugar and maple syrup. Edible oils obtained from seeds are useful in salad and for cooking.

 Roasted seeds are used as coffee substitute. Phytochemical secondary metabolites such as saponin, allantoin, sterol, stigmasterol, alkaloids, hordenine and polyphenols are found in leaves, seeds and corn silk

Medicinal value:

 From the ancient time corn has been used to pacify kapha, pitta, anorexia, general debilities, emaciation and haemorrhoids. 

It is a potent antioxidant that guards body from harming by free radicals responsible for cellular damage and/or cancer. 

It has the potential to alleviate pain and possess analgesic activity as well . Helping production of sex related hormones assemble it good for sexual health especially for men with erectile dysfunctions. It is believed to improve symptoms of rheumatism as B-complex is able to improve joint motility. 

Major nutrient of corn silk is potassium that is powerful diuretic. In Europe and some other countries such as French, Spain, Greece including India; corn silk is used to conquer urinary tract infections and kidney stones6 . 

While in China it has been widely taken in case of fluid retention and jaundice. Corn silk improves blood pressure and support liver functioning as well as producing bile. 

Roots, leaves and corn silk as decoction are used for bladder while the decoction of cob as tea is used for stomach complaints. It act as a good emollient for ulcer, wound and swelling. In some places decoction of corn silk and parched corn is extremely useful in nausea and vomiting.