Starch has what properties for the body?
What are the benefits of starch for the body? Many common foods contain starch, such as potatoes, corn, and rice in addition to wheat, and starch is a type of complex carbohydrate that breaks down rapidly into sugars during digestion, which the body uses as fuel. The following are the benefits of different types of starch:
Corn starch properties
Carbohydrates are converted into sugar by the digestive system. In order to use it as an energy source, we call this sugar glucose, and corn starch has many benefits, some of which are listed below.
Because they lack fiber, fat, and protein, they provide energy more quickly than carbohydrates made from whole grains, whose presence may slow down the breakdown.
The gluten-free properties of corn starch make it an ideal alternative to wheat flour for people with gluten intolerance or digestive disorders such as celiac disease.
A variety of it is available that has been chemically, physically or enzymatically modified to make it more digestible.
Starch properties of potatoes
A good alternative to corn starch for people looking to increase their food intake without taking in extra calories is potato starch, which is low in nutrients, but high in calories and carbohydrates.
Among the many benefits of tapioca starch extracted from cassava are:
Contains no common allergens
In fact, tapioca starch is free from common allergens like gluten, nuts and grains, so people with celiac disease, gluten or nut allergies can use it to make allergy-free products and bakeries at home and on the go. Feel free to use it in the factory. As a substitute for white flour, it can thicken soups and sauces at home.
Calorie-rich and easy to digest
Many people find tapioca starch easier to digest than flour made from nuts or grains, while also being a good source of calories. so if you suffer from Some doctors may recommend it. Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, abbreviated IBS, and diverticulitis.
Some minerals are found here
Minerals can be found in tapioca starch. It contains calcium, which keeps bones strong and prevents osteoporosis (osteoporosis), as well as iron, which transports oxygen throughout the body.
Sodium is present in small amounts
Approximately 1.52 milligrams of sodium are found in one cup of tapioca starch, which replaces sodium-rich foods linked to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Blood sugar levels may be controlled by this supplement
Diabetes may be controlled with tapioca starch, according to a laboratory study in diabetic mice, in which mice were fed a high-fat diet, and when the mice were given modified tapioca starch, they showed insulin resistance. The study was published in the Journal of Food Science in 2009, but more research in humans is needed to confirm tapioca starch’s role in controlling blood sugar levels.
Starch’s nutritional value
Below is a table that shows the nutrients in 100 grams of starch based on the types of starch mentioned above:
| Foodstuff | Corn starch | potato starch | Tapioca starch |
| calories | 375 calories | 327 calories | 375 calories |
| sodium | 0 mg | 155 mg | 300 mg |
| Fats | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
| carbohydrates | 87.5 grams | 79.09 grams | 87.5 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams | 0 grams | 0 grams |
| Calcium | 0 mg | 91 mg | 0 mg |
| sugar Loaf | 0 grams | 0.91 grams | 0 grams |
| iron | 0 mg | 0.98 mg | 0 mg |
| niacin | 0 mg | 0.727 mg | 0 mg |
| fiber | 0 grams | 3.6 grams | 0 grams |
Starch-rich natural sources
Winter squash is a starchy vegetable.
Pasta, bread, cereals made from barley, oats, or wheat
Legumes and grains such as lentils, cowpeas, black beans, and peas.
We refer to whole grains as the whole plant that is harvested, dried, and lightly processed, and they provide fiber and essential vitamins like B vitamins and vitamin E, as well as other nutrients.
Skin and hair benefits of starch
The most important uses of starch for skin and hair are as follows:
Skin irritation can be reduced
Since cornstarch is a convenient, inexpensive treatment, many people use it to relieve sunburn and itchy skin despite the lack of research to support its effectiveness. It is because some people sprinkle cornstarch on their food. Here is a recipe for reducing skin irritation using the inside of clothes and sheets and the properties of starch:
- In a bowl, combine cornstarch with water.
- The mixture should be kneaded until it reaches a good consistency.
- The mixture should be applied to the face in a thin layer and allowed to dry completely.
- Warm water should be used to wash the dry starch layer.
- Deodorant can be substituted with it
As corn starch absorbs moisture well, it can be used as a natural alternative to reduce sweat smells. Follow these steps to prepare homemade deodorant using corn starch:
45 ml of coconut oil, which is three tablespoons.
16 grams are equal to 2 tablespoons of corn starch.
28 grams of baking soda in 2 tablespoons.
Use the microwave to warm up the coconut for 15 to 20 seconds or until it liquefies.
Make a thick paste by slowly adding cornstarch and baking soda.
If you wish, you can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the paste to give it a pleasant aroma.
Since baking soda may irritate some people’s armpits, the natural deodorant mentioned isn’t suitable for everyone, and if you sweat a lot, the natural deodorant may not have the effect that you need. An effective commercial product for removing sweat odor.
Relief from sunburn
The texture of cornstarch reduces friction between burned skin and all kinds of fabrics. To take advantage of this advantage, you can wipe the damaged skin with cornstarch paste Sprinkle cornstarch between the sheets before mixing cornstarch with water. Earlier, I mentioned bedtime.
Insect bite pain can be relieved
Following the old traditional method based on starch can relieve the pain caused by insect bites:
Add 1 tablespoon of cold water to 3 tablespoons of corn starch.
The resulting paste should be applied to the insect bite.
You can leave the paste overnight or even in the morning for best results.
As an alternative to dry shampoo, you can use it
Spray corn starch on the roots of the hair and gently wipe it all the way to the ends as a substitute for dry shampoo. For this, you can use a cosmetic brush. It is marketed as an alternative to dry shampoo, but may not be suitable for people with dark hair. Corn starch has a light color.
Leg pimples can be reduced by using this product
Considering that blisters form when sweat and friction are present simultaneously, softening and drying the feet is the solution to reduce blisters, and corn starch can be sprinkled inside the shoes to achieve this goal. The following steps can be followed if blisters appear when you don’t wear socks:
The blister can be bandaged until it disappears if it is small.
Felt or sponge can be used to make a bandage that is hollowed out in the center if the bubble is large.
Damage caused by starch and precautions to take when using it:
Glucose and insulin levels are affected by how quickly it is converted to sugar. Sugary and starchy carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels, causing the body to secrete more insulin. Getting rid of excess sugar leads to low blood glucose levels, fatigue, and hunger, even if you eat for only a short time.
Among the refined carbohydrates, corn starch in particular has been subjected to heavy processing, which results in the loss of important nutrients, which means that corn starch is high in calories and carbohydrates, but low in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Starch FAQs
One of the most common questions we ask and answer in this article about starch is:
How does starch benefit pregnant women?
In addition to providing energy, vitamins, and fiber, starchy foods make you feel full without consuming too many calories. Some pregnant women tend to eat starch during pregnancy. In pregnancy, cravings can occur at any stage of pregnancy, as we know they usually occur in the third trimester, and research has linked cravings to anemia, including iron-deficiency anemia. If you have it in the first month of pregnancy, you should visit a doctor because eating strange things may be dangerous for the mother and the baby.
How does starch help children with diarrhea?
An article published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in 2006 found that a starch-containing product reduced the duration of diarrhea in children. However, a doctor should be consulted before any starch-containing product is given to children. Starch should not be given to children raw or unprocessed.
How does starch benefit babies?
In infants, powdered milk containing corn starch reduces the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but milk enriched with starch requires more research. You can read more about the benefits of starch for babies in the article Benefits of starch for babies.
An overview
Many common foods contain starch, which has many health benefits. Additionally, it is a rich source of energy and can be used for skin and hair. Aside from relieving insect bite pain and replacing deodorant, starch may also relieve skin irritation and sunburn.