What alkaline process is used to improve the body's absorption capacity for niacin (B3) found in corn?
Answer
Nixtamalization
Nixtamalization is a specific traditional cooking treatment where corn is boiled or soaked in an alkaline solution, often containing lime or wood ash. This chemical process fundamentally alters the structure of the kernel, most notably liberating bound niacin (Vitamin B3). By making this vitamin more bioavailable, nixtamalization directly enhances the nutritional profile of corn products made using this method, such as hominy.
Related Questions
From which wild grass was corn cultivated by early Mesoamerican farmers approximately ten thousand years ago?What alkaline process is used to improve the body's absorption capacity for niacin (B3) found in corn?Which two carotenoid antioxidants accumulate in the retina, strongly linked to reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration?What is the name of the main protein component found in corn, typically comprising 3% to 5% of its total content?What antioxidant found in purple corn is studied for potentially reducing neuroinflammation relevant to conditions like Alzheimer’s?What particular type of insoluble fiber acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and leading to SCFA production?Which essential mineral, vital for regulating the circulatory system, works as a vasodilator to help maintain healthy blood flow and lower blood pressure?What antinutrient found in whole corn can bind to dietary minerals like iron and zinc, slightly impairing their absorption in the same meal?Corn oil, derived specifically from the corn germ, is particularly rich in which polyunsaturated fatty acid known for health benefits?When is corn technically classified as a vegetable rather than a cereal grain based on its stage of harvest?What simple kitchen action can reduce the sodium content in canned sweet corn by approximately 40% before consumption?Excessive intake of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is linked to negative outcomes including increased body fat and which associated systemic condition?