Have you ever tried polenta? What do you think of this dish? The Italians really like it. Moreover, in some countries polenta is included in traditional dishes. I have eaten polenta many times and I can say that I like it. It all depends on how it is prepared or what it is served with. But what impresses me the most is the health benefits that polenta has to offer. Some even consider it a gift from nature. Why? Let's find out together.
What is polenta?
This is corn porridge, which is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins (A, B, C, E, K and PP) and trace elements (copper, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, silicon). Together, they help the body stay healthy and fight many ailments.
There is a lot to be said for the benefits of polenta, but here are a few that I consider to be the most important:
- Regular consumption of polenta helps to lower bad cholesterol levels;
- Polenta is good for the cardiovascular system: thanks to vitamin C, the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle are strengthened.
- By including corn flour in your diet, you can normalize your metabolism, it improves the functioning of all body systems and promotes weight loss.
- Fiber, which is part of polenta, normalizes digestion, actively cleanses the intestines, removing toxins.
- Polenta is extremely beneficial for the skin as corn contains vitamins A and E, which are essential for nourishing and moisturizing the skin.
- This dish can rightfully be called dietary. Polenta is low in calories, but gives a feeling of fullness for a long time, which helps to normalize body weight.
- The phosphorus in corn is very beneficial for the brain, improving brain activity.
- Endocrinologists claim that daily polenta consumption reduces the risk of mental illness caused by thyroid dysfunction by 60%.
- Iron, which is part of corn grits, is necessary for the prevention and treatment of anemia.
- Corn grits are gluten-free, which means that the dish can be considered hypoallergenic, and people with food allergies can safely include polenta in their diet.
- If you have trouble falling asleep, you can include corn porridge on the dinner menu as an aid. It is rich in melatonin, a hormone that controls when we go to bed and when we wake up.
That's all, I made a decision! I will eat polenta every day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizer, and dessert 🙂 Of course, I'm kidding, but I can't help but say that this product impressed me.
At the same time, don't exaggerate. People with stomach problems or diabetes mellitus need to use this dish very carefully.
How to cook polenta?
To prepare the dish, you need a special pot with a thick bottom. Pour 1 liter of water into the pot, add 1 glass of cereal and put on low heat. Cook for 40 minutes to an hour, stirring constantly, until the polenta begins to lag behind the walls of the dish. The porridge needs to be salted, pepper to taste, mixed, covered and removed from heat. Then it is made either soft or hard. While it is hot, it is important to decide what kind of dish you want to get in the end. It remains to transfer the composition to a tray, give it the desired shape and cool.
Ready polenta can be baked, fried in oil in a pan, grilled, then served with meat or fish as a side dish. The dish goes well with vegetables and all kinds of sauces. Sweet polenta is an amazing dessert for tea. It can be served with cream, jams, preserves, syrups, etc.
With polenta, everything will be incredibly tasty.
Experiment and enjoy!