Your health: Popcorn's advantages

Popcorn's plus

Who knew that munching on popcorn could be good for you?

Scientists at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have reported that the popped kernels contain higher levels of antioxidant substances called polyphenols than fruits and veggies.

Scripps Howard reports that an ounce of popcorn contains up to 300 milligrams of polyphenols, versus 160 mg in an ounce of most fruit, and 114 mg for a serving of sweet corn.

Of course, 90 percent of the antioxidants are found in the hulls of popcorn, which many people avoid and which may not be fully digested.

Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry and lead researcher on the project, said how the corn is popped still makes all the difference.

Air popping is still the best. Cooking it the way most movie theaters do — in oil, plus butter or butter substitute and salt — gives it more than twice the calories and loads of fat and sodium, although the antioxidant properties remain.

Play ball

The new exercise toys on the block can add a little “fun” to a workout and are designed to boost effectiveness.

Dynamex Medicine Balls are bigger and squishier than other medicine balls, but not really a new idea ($74-$136, medicineballs.com). Dynamax introduced them in the 1980s, and you'll find them lying around at most fitness centers. But the manufacturer realized that they're typically viewed just as weights that happen to be balls, so Dynamax Director of Education Jeremy Shore is trying to teach smarter training techniques, reports The Washington Post.

The ball's 14-inch diameter means you can hold the ball in front of you without having to hunch your shoulders in. But weight is not a big factor. Although Dynamax sells balls up to 30 pounds, and there are moves specifically designed for heavier ones, Shore recommends using a 4- to 8-pound ball for most exercises.

Get moving

Millions of Americans simply aren't moving enough to meet the minimum threshold for good health — burning at least 700 to 1,000 calories a week through physical pursuits.

Adding as little as half an hour of moderately intense physical activity a day can help you avoid a host of serious ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and several types of cancer, particularly breast and colon cancers, according to the Harvard Medical School newsletter.

Regular exercise can also help improve sleep, reduce stress, control weight, sharpen mental functioning and improve your sex life. A well-rounded exercise program should include aerobic activity, strength training, flexibility training, and balance exercises.