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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.

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. Nigeria, Kenya, India, and China are particularly affected due to their climate and agricultural practices.

However, Dr. Ranjan said the amount of carcinogen found in corn would not be effective with the number of corn people eat in a day. “For example, in the US, the safe limit of aflatoxins in corn would be around 20 micrograms per kilo. The average aflatoxin in commercially available corn would be around 1-5 micrograms per kilo. So, to even get close to that daily limit of 20 micrograms of aflatoxin per day, you need to eat between 4 and 20 kilos of corn in a day. In which case, aflatoxins would be the least of your concerns,” he added.

“And even if you at that in one day, acute exposure to that amount of aflatoxins is unlikely to be harmful. You will have to do this every single day for weeks and months to experience cumulative risks of aflatoxins exposure,” said Dr. Ranjan.

Corn is packed with lutein and zeaxanthin – the main pigments, or carotenoids that are antioxidants that protect your eyes. Studies say carotenoids reduce the risk of eye problems along with inflammation and also protect against memory-related illnesses like Alzheimer's disease.

According to Dr. Ranjan, the information that corn has 25 forms of aflatoxins is also wrong. “There are only 4 main types found in contaminated corn, and these are ones that are already monitored for food safety. If you are a corn lover in a country with any semblance of food safety regulations you are fine to eat corn,” he said.

Loaded with fibre, carbohydrates, and protein, eating corn regularly gives you a good dose of insoluble fibre – taking care of your gut health and alleviating digestive issues like constipation. It also helps you lose weight by boosting the feeling of post-meal fullness.

Since carotenoids and potassium are present in high amounts, corn also promotes heart health by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The fibre in corn helps to regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the conversion of starch into glucose. This process helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and prevent spikes.

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