Here, Ms. Susan Campbell, a nutritionist at the famous Cleveland Clinic (USA), will explain why you should not throw away corn silk.

Studies show that corn silk contains carbs, fiber, minerals like calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, chloride, and protein, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Here are 5 health benefits of corn silk:

Keep your urinary system healthy

Corn silk extract has a strong diuretic effect, helping to urinate more, thereby preventing urinary tract infections and bladder infections.

Corn silk tea is also recommended for bedwetting children and incontinent adults. Corn silk can also prevent kidney stones and protect the kidneys from damage caused by medications or cancer treatments.

Lower blood pressure

The diuretic properties of corn silk may also help lower blood pressure. Preliminary research suggests that taking corn silk along with blood pressure medications may lower blood pressure more than taking the medications alone.

However, Campbell warns that people who are taking diuretics or blood pressure medications may be at risk of low potassium if they consume corn silk because of the dual effects. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor before using it.

Prevent disease

The Flavonoids in corn silk have antioxidant effects comparable to vitamin C. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects and help prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes, Campbell notes.

Reduce blood sugar levels

Corn silk extract is a method of managing diabetes. According to research, this extract can reduce blood sugar and help prevent complications such as diabetic nerve damage.

Other studies show that corn silk extract can slow the absorption of starch, preventing blood sugar spikes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

But experts advise people taking diabetes medication to consult their doctor before taking it because very low blood sugar can also be dangerous.

Improve cholesterol levels

The flavonoids in corn silk can improve cholesterol levels by reducing triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol. These unhealthy forms of cholesterol cause plaque to form inside the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, explains Campbell.

Preliminary research shows that corn silk helps reduce cholesterol and blood fat levels in people with angina.

How to use corn silk

Fresh chopped corn silk can be used to make soup.

It can also be dried to make tea or ground into a powder and sprinkled on stews and smoothies.

How to make corn silk tea:

Add 2 cups of water (240 ml/cup) and 2 handfuls of corn silk to the pot, cover, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Turn off heat and cover for 30 minutes.

Filter out the corn silk and enjoy.

Who should not use corn silk?

Campbell advises against consuming corn silk if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, diuretics, and diabetes medications or insulin.