Is Non-Organic Corn Healthy? Is GMO Corn Safe?

Corn is a commonly genetically-modified food. Is GMO corn safe to eat? Is non-organic corn healthy? Here’s everything you need to know.

Recently we’ve been experimenting with making corn bread, tortillas, and other foods using the unique varieties of corn that we’ve been growing in our garden. Red corn bread and black tortillas make some interesting meals. 🙂 Not only does growing our own corn better ensure its health and nutrient content, but it’s also been a lot of fun growing this beautiful corn.

But how can we make sure we get healthy corn if we can’t grow all our own?

Is GMO Corn Safe to Eat?

Most corn grown in the U.S. is grown from genetically-engineered seeds. And there is significant concern about the safety of these genetically-modified foods (GMO foods).

When corn is genetically modified, the DNA of the corn is manipulated. The altered DNA increases yields, and it makes the corn able to grow in nutrient-depleted soils. It also alters the corn so it won’t die when exposed to weed killers like glyphosate. (Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup).

In addition, it makes it resistant to insects and other pests. In fact, in some GMO corn varieties, the corn plant itself becomes a pesticide that is poisonous to insects. (Sadly, it is also poisonous to helpful bees that are needed to pollinate our crops). If an insect eats that corn, the insect dies.

When we think about the fact that the same corn that killed those insects is then made into breakfast cereal, cornbread, corn chips, or other foods, we can understand why many countries around the world have banned genetically-modified food or, at the very least, require GMO labeling.

There are a number of health concerns associated with GMO foods. These include damage to the gut, inflammation, alterations in hormone balances and function, antibiotic resistance, and more. In one study mice developed tumors and experienced damage to their liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands when fed GMO corn. [i]

Is Non-Organic Corn Healthy?

Is non-organic corn GMO? What about organic corn?

United States law does not allow genetically-engineered food to be labeled organic. However, the organic label does not protect the food against cross-pollination or cross-contamination. This means that food labeled organic could potentially contain some GMOs.

How to Avoid GMO Corn

Aside from growing your own non-GMO corn, the best way to avoid genetically-modified (GMO) corn is to buy corn that is labeled “Non-GMO Project Verified”.

Up until a few years ago, only dried corn (also called field corn) was genetically modified. Dried corn is the corn used to make cornmeal, grits, polenta, corn flour, corn starch, and similar foods. Popcorn and sweet corn usually weren’t genetically modified, but GMO sweet corn has become more prevalent. Some believe that popcorn may be next. However, even if the popcorn isn’t genetically modified, ingredients that are often added to popcorn (such as lecithin, oil, lactic acid, and butter) may be. You may want to look for that label to be safe.

Be sure to read ingredient labels since corn-derived products are often included as an ingredient in a variety of foods. Corn oil, cornstarch, citric acid, and corn syrup are a few of the most common corn-derived ingredients to watch for.

To be sure your corn contains no GMOs, look for the label “Non-GMO Project Verified”. Testing is required for any product before it can be labeled “Non-GMO-Project verified” to ensure that it is free from GMOs.

Here is my source for good non-GMO corn, cornmeal, corn flour, etc.

Different varieties of corn

There is so much more to corn than the yellow corn kernels that we typically see in the U.S. and other industrialized countries. Throughout history and around the world, populations have been nourished by an amazing variety of colors and flavors of corn. Many of these open-pollinated (non-GMO) varieties are much more nutrient-dense and flavorful than the yellow corn that is ubiquitous in modern grocery stores.

(But if moving to Peru isn’t an option for you, here is my source for good non-GMO corn, cornmeal, corn flour.)

References

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[i] de Vendômois, J. S., Roullier, F., Cellier, D., & Séralini, G. E., A comparison of the effects of three GM corn varieties on mammalian health, International Journal of Biological Sciences, 2009