Corn, a member of the whole grain family, is touted as among the most nutritious foods. According to experts, corn helps lower the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, aids digestion, and helps maintain body weight as it is high in fibre. However, there are growing concerns that it is carcinogenic.
Is it? “Absolutely not,” says Dr. Karan Ranjan, NHS Surgeon and Lecturer at Sunderland University, while debunking myths around aflatoxins found in corn. It is popularly believed that corn contains at least 25 forms of aflatoxins - a group of poisonous substances produced by certain molds that contaminate crops and cause serious health issues in humans and animals.
However, Dr. Ranjan says it is not true. “Corn can indeed be contaminated by certain molds which then produce toxins like aflatoxins, which can be carcinogenic if consumed in higher amounts if taken for a long period, But that’s incredibly unlikely,” he said on a social media reel on Instagram.
What are aflatoxins? Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus species and are commonly found in crops including corn, cottonseed, and nuts, particularly in warm and humid environments where mold thrives. Aflatoxin-producing fungi contaminate crops at various stages, including in the field, during harvest, and while in storage. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, an estimated 25 per cent of the world’s food crops are affected by mycotoxins - including aflatoxins.
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