What are grits – benefits for skin, hair & health

Grits is a dish produced using corn that is ground into a coarse meal and boiled afterwards. Grits are generally presented with different flavourings as a breakfast dish, normally appetizing. Grits were originated in the Southern United States, however, now are accessible across the country. Grits are famous as a supper entrée, shrimp and cornmeal, served basically in the Southern United States. Grits are often mistaken for boiled ground corn maize which makes “rushed pudding” or “mush” or when utilizing coarse ground corn, which might be made into polenta, or the “mush” produced using all the more finely ground cornmeal. Another type of grit is known as the Hominy Grits. Hominy grits are a sort of grits produced using hominy with the germ evacuated, which is corn treated with brine using a procedure called nixtamalization. Grits originated in the USA and are like other thick maize-based porridges from around the globe, for example, polenta and mielie pap. The word “Grits” has been derived from the Old English word “grytt,” which means coarse supper.

Nutritional Value Chart of Grits

100 grams of grits contains approximately the below-mentioned amounts of nutrients:

Nutrient	Amount
Carbohydrates	9.55 g
Fat	0.14 g
Protein	1.06 g
Sodium	0.13 g
Potassium	.016 g
Energy	45 calories

Skin, Hair, and Health Benefits of Grits

Skin benefits

• Slows down the ageing process

If you need to stay youthful and keep up young looks, then you certainly need to consume grits. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants helpful in keeping our skin young and beautiful by fighting with harmful free radicals that damage the skin and make us look old.

• Improves Skin Texture
  

With the regular consumption of grits, there is an impressive improvement in your skin texture. A large group of fundamental minerals and vitamins are present in grits which guarantee you brilliant skin and great vision.

• Removes Facial Acne Scars
  

Attributable to its high vitamin E content, a paste made with grits can work miracles to remove facial skin break out scars. It is a treasure of substances essential for maintaining a healthy skin.

Hair benefits

1. Improves Blood Circulation in the Scalp 

Grits contain certain nutrients that improve the blood flow in the scalp, elevating the follicles to create healthy and solid tresses. This strengthens the hair.

2. Reinforces Hair Strands 

The vitamin C, lycopene content and different antioxidants in grits help in reinforcing the hair strands. It works adequately in managing hair loss. Premature hair loss can be easily prevented with their consumption.

Health benefits

1. Anaemia

Grits contain a great deal of vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid. The insufficiency of these supplements can cause weakness and a low oxygen level in the body. In this way, eating grits can help fight weakness and make us feel more energetic. 

2. Fights Cholesterol 

Grits contain dissolvable fibre too, which transforms into a gel-like substance in our blood system. This gel, thus, ingests bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol). Grits additionally contain carotenoids and bioflavonoids. These control cholesterol levels in the blood. 

3. Enhances Vision 

Grits contain beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A that leads to better vision. The carotenoids likewise lessen macular degeneration, which impairs vision at the focal point of the line of sight. 

4. Enhances Energy 

Grits are starchy, which acts as a storage house of energy. It is higher in vitality than most vegetables. Along these lines, sportspersons who need to eat carbohydrates to support their performance can eat a measure of grits. 

5.  Keeps Diabetes at Bay 

The vitamin B present in grits helps in protein, lipid, and carbohydrate digestion, and the phytochemicals control the release of insulin that affects diabetes. Grits have a glycemic index of 58, making them great nourishment for individuals who are diabetic. Together, these assist in controlling diabetes.

6. Cardiovascular Health 

Intake of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids decreases the danger of contracting heart diseases. Grits contain oil, which has a decent fatty acid mixture. Subsequently, it empowers omega-3 fatty acids to evacuate destructive unsaturated fats (like LDL) and decrease the danger of heart attack. It additionally prevents atherosclerosis (accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of arteries). 

7. Helps in digestion 

Grits contain a great deal of dietary fibre. The insoluble filaments of fibre help in absorption and furthermore avoid blockage in the intestinal tract. Those with constipation and diarrhoea will likewise discover improvements in their condition subsequent to eating grits. 

8. Beneficial during Pregnancy 

Grits contain a high grouping of folic acid, which is really recommended to ladies amid pregnancy. In this way, grits are solid nourishment that each pregnant lady ought to receive. However, in the event that you have swollen feet, counsel your specialist before this eating routine change.

Other Benefits of Grits

By now we know that grits are a treasure of various nutrients. These nutrients provide various benefits to us in various ways. Benefits provided by the various nutrient content present in grits are given below:

Benefits due to Vitamin and Mineral Content

Consumption of grits supports your admission of vitamins and minerals. Grits contain a few B vitamins, and additionally a little measure of vitamin E. They likewise give an especially decent wellspring of folate, or vitamin B-9, a supplement essential to keep up your body’s digestion. Every half-container serving of corn meal contains 36 milligrams of folate, or 9 per cent of your day by day prescribed intake of the vitamin. Grits additionally contain a few minerals, including selenium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus which are essential for maintaining a good metabolism. Finishing your grits with milk can additionally support its vitamin and mineral content. Both butter and milk are rich sources of vitamins A and D and milk contain calcium that is good for bones.

Benefits due to Carbohydrate Content

Most of the calories in grit, around 82 per cent, originate from its starch content. Every half-glass serving of grits contains around 19 grams of aggregate carbohydrates, including 1 gram of dietary fibre, 18.5 grams of starch and not as much as a gram of sugar. The starch and sugar in grits both fill in as wellsprings of vitality – your stomach related tract processes the starch to frame sugar, which your cells can use to produce usable chemical energy. The unassuming measure of dietary fibre in grits additionally benefits your wellbeing, adding mass to your stool and counteracting constipation.

Benefits due to Calorie Content

Grits are modestly calorie-thick sustenance. A large portion of a measure of grits – roughly 125 grams – contains 91 calories. This makes up roughly 5 per cent of the aggregate day by day caloric admission for somebody following a 2,000-calorie slim down or around 6 per cent for a 1,500-calorie diet. On the off chance that you add toppings to your grits, the calorie substance will increase. Just adding 2 teaspoons of butter to your grits adds 68 calories to your supper, and including a quarter a cup of skim milk builds the corn meal’s vitality content by 21 calories. 

Benefits due to Protein and Fat Content

Grits contain little measures of protein and fat. Eating a large portion of a measure of grits gives your body around 0.5 grams of protein and under 0.1 grams of fat. Accordingly, you ought not to rely on grits as a wellspring of these supplements in your eating routine. Notwithstanding containing just a little measure of protein per serving, the protein in grits is viewed as a fragmented protein – it is inadequate in amino acids that make up a fundamental part of your diet. Serving your grits with some skim milk expands its protein content, adding 2 grams to your dinner. Garnishes can likewise support the fat substance of grits; adding 2 teaspoons of butter to your grits includes right around 8 grams of fat to your supper which includes 5 grams of unhealthy saturated fat. 

Home Remedies

Weight Gain –

1. Cook quarter a cup of grits with one cup of milk and add sugar to taste.
2. This recipe if consumed on a daily basis can help a person to add on weight. Butter can also be added to the dish to make it even healthier.

Youthful Skin –

1. Take some grits and make a paste using some milk.
2. Now, apply this paste to your face and let it dry for a while.
3. Now dampen your face with some water and scrub your face.
4. Rinse, it with water and clean it with a towel. Grits contain vitamin E and antioxidants that are very helpful for our skin to stay healthy and youthful.
5. Repeat this process weekly for good results.

Increase in Stamina –

1. Cook a quarter of a cup of grits in water and add salt to taste.
2. Consume it as breakfast daily to provide an adequate amount of energy to begin the day without consuming much fat so that you can avoid weight gain. This increases your stamina.

Side effects of eating grits

• Maybe allergic for some people

Intake of grits can prompt sensitivities and side effects like rashes on the skin, swelling of mucous layer, retching, and so on. Many individuals likewise experience the ill effects of asthma assault and hypersensitivity in the wake of eating grits. The primary reason for the allergies is the ingestible protein present in the corn. 

• Causes Bloating and Flatulence

Corn contains a high level of starch. When you consume corn, it breaks down in the large intestine and delivers a considerable measure of gas. So in the event that somebody consumes grits in substantial amounts, at that point, it can cause swelling and flatulence. 

• Causes Intestinal Irritation and Diarrhea

Grits ought not to be devoured crude as they can bring about loose bowels. Grits likewise prompt numerous intestinal issues. You should counsel your specialist in the event that you discover side effects. 

• Causes Indigestion and Stomach problems

Grits are a decent wellspring of fibre and other key supplements, which helps in flushing out terrible poisons from the body. In any case, an overdose of these filaments can be awful for your stomach. Regardless of the possibility that you eat extensive segments of oats, at that point, it can prompt acid reflux and stomach spasms! In this way, keep a watch on how much corn you are devouring, in any of its structures. 

• Causes Bone problems

Individuals who rely upon grits eating routine can experience the ill effects of osteoporosis as grits contain less measure of calcium. Be that as it may, this is significant just if grits are not supplemented with suitable calcium-rich nourishment. 

• Causes Tooth Decay

Grits contain a decent measure of sugar, so they can prompt tooth rot in a few people. This is generally one of the uncommon reactions of grits, yet not one that ought to be trifled with. Ensure you take after decent oral cleanliness and brush your teeth in the wake of eating grits. 

• Causes weight gain

As specified some time recently, grits contain a substantial dosage of sugar and starch. Enthusiastic eating of grits can most likely prompt weight pick up. Individuals on an eating regimen ought to evade the utilization of grits.

Myths and Facts

Myths	Facts
Grits cause digestive problems.	Grits are a good remedy for getting rid of digestive problems. If consumed in excess amounts, they can cause digestive problems.
Grits are low in fat.	Grits have a good enough amount of fats and can cause weight gain if consumed in access amounts.
Grits cause cholesterol.	Grits are effective in removing the bad cholesterol from our bodies.

FAQ

Que. Are grits helpful in reducing weight?

Ans. Grits are not so helpful in weight loss. In fact, grits are a source of gaining weight. They contain a large number of carbohydrates that are a rich source of energy but also causes weight gain.

Que. Are grits beneficial for the skin?

Ans. Grits are a rich source of vitamin E that is very beneficial for our skin. They also contain antioxidants that fight with the harmful free radicals present in our skin that tend to damage our skin. So, the consumption and topical application of grits help in improving our skin texture and health.

Que. Are grits a good meal to start the day with?

Ans. Grits are very rich in carbohydrates that are a major source of energy for human beings. So consumption of grits along with milk is an ideal breakfast for energy seekers.