Tag: Pericarp

Over 90% of the corn we consume is digested by the human body, but one part famously remains untouched. This visual evidence in your stool might make you wonder, "Why can't our stomach acid dissolve corn?" The answer lies in the kernel's tough outer casing and the lack of specific enzymes in our digestive system.

Most of a corn kernel's interior is digested by the body, providing valuable nutrients. So, why can't stomach acid melt corn? The reason lies in a fascinating biological reality involving the corn kernel's hardy outer layer, which is made of a type of fiber that humans cannot break down.

The outer layer of a citrus fruit is often called both a peel and a rind, but the two terms are not always interchangeable. Understanding the difference between a fruit's skin and a fruit's rind comes down to thickness, texture, and botanical context.

Every fruit is a marvel of botanical engineering, developed from the flower's ovary to protect and disperse seeds. These reproductive structures are composed of several distinct parts, each with a specialized function, which together define what are the parts of a fruit.

An estimated 95% of Americans do not consume enough dietary fiber, much of which is found in the protective outer layers of cereal grains. This hard, nutrient-dense exterior is the part of a grain that has the hard outer layers, known as the bran. It consists of the combined aleurone and pericarp.

From a botanical perspective, a fruit is a ripened ovary of a flowering plant that encloses a seed or seeds. The fruit's primary function is to protect the developing seeds and aid in their dispersal, ensuring the plant's next generation. While many people primarily think of sweet, fleshy produce like apples or berries, the definition also includes things like dry pods and nuts.

Did you know that the average American eats over five pounds of fresh sweet corn every year? The common sight of kernels passing through the body has led to a popular question: can the human stomach break down corn, and if so, why does it reappear seemingly intact?

The human body easily digests the starchy interior of a corn kernel, but the tough outer shell remains largely intact. This prompts the question: what part of corn is not digestible?. The answer lies in a resilient dietary fiber.

Over 80% of the kernel's weight comes from the endosperm, yet the much smaller outer layers are packed with the most nutrients. This protective shell, known as bran, is what truly differentiates a whole grain from a refined grain, impacting both flavor and nutritional value.

The sight of seemingly undigested corn kernels in your stool is a common occurrence, with some nutritionists noting it is a classic example of a high-fiber food passing through. The simple scientific reason why corn doesn't dissolve in my stomach has to do with its tough outer casing, a protective shield that your body is not equipped to break down.