Is Corn Healthy? Corn Nutrition Facts, Benefits & Recipes

Dr. Josh Axe · Free quiz

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Corn is healthy when you eat it whole, as kernels off the cob, popcorn you pop yourself or tortillas pressed from masa, because the whole kernel keeps its fiber and its lutein and zeaxanthin, and its starch reaches your blood more slowly than the starch in refined corn foods like cornflakes.12 My rule for corn is organic only, and like any grain, it should keep its fiber, because grains without good fiber spike your blood sugar. Fiber is exactly what the refined products the food industry makes from corn, such as high-fructose corn syrup, cornstarch and corn oil, have lost.6789

That split between whole corn and its refined pieces sits at the root of the trouble people have with corn today. Much of the corn in the modern diet reaches people as the syrup in soft drinks, the starch in packaged snacks and the oil in the fryer, after milling has taken away the bran and germ, along with the fiber, minerals and B vitamins they carry.8101112 Eaten whole and grown organically, corn does something quite different for you: its fiber slows the sugar and feeds the bacteria in your colon, its yellow pigments travel to the back of your eyes, and the traditional way of cooking it in lime, the step that turns corn into masa, makes its niacin available to your body and adds calcium.231013

The refined corn products are also where an anti-inflammatory way of eating starts. In my Anti-Inflammatory Reset, the foods to cut are the ones that feed the fire: sugar and sweet drinks, fried food and seed oils, refined flour and pastries, and ultra-processed snacks,14 which is where corn syrup, corn oil and corn chips turn up. If you'd like a plan for making those swaps, the free protocol below walks you through it.

Did you know?

• The name zeaxanthin, one of the two yellow pigments your eyes store in the macula, comes from the Greek zea, meaning corn, and xanthos, meaning yellow.10

• Maize was domesticated just once, in southern Mexico, and every variety grown today, from sweet corn to popcorn, traces back to that one beginning.15

• Much of the zeaxanthin in eggs comes from corn, because laying hens are often fed dried corn.10

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Is corn healthy?

Corn is a good example of how a whole food comes packaged with what your body needs to handle it. When the kernel stays whole, its fiber slows the sugar on its way into your blood and keeps feeding your gut bacteria long after the meal.23 When the same kernel is broken into syrup, starch and oil, those protections are gone, and what's left is fast-digesting starch, sugar or a concentrated omega-6 fat.121718

On the food lists in my book The Biblio Diet, corn shows up twice, once with the grains, where organic or sprouted is best for grains and flours, and once with the vegetables, where organic fresh or frozen is best, and sprouted corn flour is on my list of gluten-free flours.6 Eaten that way, corn is a good everyday food, and the sections below show what it does for your blood sugar, your eyes and your gut, and how to cook it.

Is corn a vegetable or a grain?

When you eat sweet corn off the cob, you're eating young, juicy kernels picked before they dry, and nutrition researchers count it as a vegetable: three long-running U.S. studies of diet and body weight in 133,468 adults grouped corn with the high-fiber, starchier vegetables.20 Field corn and popcorn are left to dry on the stalk, and their hard kernels become the grain you grind into cornmeal, grits and masa or pop into popcorn, which the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans listed among the whole-grain foods to eat more of.1021

Whichever way you count it, corn is naturally gluten-free, and the Celiac Disease Foundation lists it among the naturally gluten-free grains.22 That makes whole-grain cornmeal, masa and corn tortillas easy staples in a gluten-free kitchen. If you have celiac disease, buy corn products tested to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten rather than corn from bulk bins, where it can pick up gluten from other grains.22

Nutritional value of corn: sweet corn vs. popcorn vs. field corn

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central records 169999 (sweet corn, yellow, boiled) and 167959 (popcorn, air-popped). A medium ear weighs 103 grams, a cup of kernels 149 grams and 3 cups of air-popped popcorn 24 grams. % Daily Value uses FDA adult reference values.15

Sweet corn's strengths are its B vitamins and its yellow pigments. Pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin and vitamin B6 are the vitamins your body uses to turn the starch in that ear into energy, and a cup of kernels gives you a quarter of the day's pantothenic acid and 1,350 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin in 143 calories.1 Raw sweet corn keeps more folate than cooked, 43 micrograms in a medium ear, or 11% of the daily value, while boiled corn carries more lutein and zeaxanthin gram for gram, 906 micrograms per 100 grams against 644 raw.231

Popcorn brings the most fiber per calorie of any form of corn on this page, 3.5 grams for 93 calories in 3 cups, along with 8% of the day's magnesium.5 Field corn is grown to dry on the stalk, and it's the corn behind cornmeal, grits, masa and corn flour.10 Per 100 grams, the dried grain has 365 calories, 7.3 grams of fiber and 127 milligrams of magnesium, and ground whole into cornmeal, a quarter cup gives you 110 calories, 2.2 grams of fiber and 38.7 milligrams of magnesium.2416

With 3.5 grams of protein in an ear and 5.1 grams in a cup,1 corn pairs well with wild fish, chicken, eggs or beans, which round out the meal.

How corn works in your body

A corn kernel is a seed with three parts, and what each one carries explains most of what corn does for you. The bran, the thin skin around the kernel, is only 5% to 6% of its weight but holds most of its fiber and its ferulic acid, an antioxidant. The germ, the seed's embryo, carries the oil, vitamin E, several B vitamins and minerals, and the endosperm, about 82% of the kernel's dry weight, is the starchy center the young plant would have lived on, where the yellow pigments sit too.1025 Whole-grain cornmeal keeps all three, while refining mills away the bran and germ, so degermed corn flour and cornstarch end up mostly as starch.101112

Keeping the kernel whole pays off at every step after you eat it. The fiber and the intact grain slow how fast your digestion reaches the starch, so your blood sugar rises more gently, and the fiber that survives digestion travels on to your colon, where it becomes food for the bacteria that live there.23 Feeding those bacteria well is one of the most useful things a whole food can do for you:

The yellow in corn is mostly lutein and zeaxanthin, the two carotenoids present in the macula of your eye, the small patch at the center of the retina that gives you your sharpest vision, where they appear to protect it from oxidative damage.10 Corn and eggs are two of the main ways people take in zeaxanthin.10 How you cook corn changes what you get, too, because in lab tests heat freed more of its ferulic acid, and the traditional lime-cooking of masa makes its niacin available, as the benefits below show.2625 The whole path from the field to your cells looks like this:

Corn benefits, ranked by the research

Whole corn brings you these benefits, starting with the ones backed by the strongest research in people:

Whole corn vs. refined corn products

Magnesium falls the same way, from 127 milligrams per 100 grams in whole-grain cornmeal to 18 in degermed corn flour, because the minerals go with the bran and germ.1611 The yellow pigments stay with degermed flour, since they sit in the starchy endosperm.1125 Three of corn's refined forms show how much of the plant gets left behind on the way from the field to the package.

High-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup is 75.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams and nothing else of note,17 and as I've said on my show, it's the main sweetener in almost every conventional beverage today, and the fructose in it is processed in your liver.8 Corn syrup is on my avoid list,6 and our guide to high-fructose corn syrup explains what it does in your body. When you want something sweet, a little raw honey is the sweetener to reach for.

Corn oil. Corn oil is pressed and refined from the oil-rich germ, so it's pure fat, 900 calories per 100 grams with no fiber or minerals, and it carries 53.2 grams of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat, for every 1.16 grams of omega-3 ALA, a ratio of about 46 to 1.1810 As I've explained on my show, corn oil is one of the industrially processed seed oils: they're hexane extracted, bleached and deodorized, and they're very high in omega-6 fats, which can cause inflammation when they're out of balance with omega-3 fats.9 Build your kitchen around extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil, and don't stress over a little corn oil in an otherwise real-food diet; our guide to corn oil covers it in detail.

Cornstarch and degermed flour. These are the starchy center of the kernel with almost all of the fiber gone, 0.9 and 1.9 grams per 100 grams, and they're the base of many packaged snacks, cereals and coatings.121110 On an ingredient list, refined corn can also hide behind names like corn syrup solids, dextrose and maltodextrin, which are often made from corn. My guideline for packaged food is five ingredients or fewer,6 which keeps most of them out of your cart.

GMO corn, glyphosate and choosing organic

Sweet corn, the kind you eat on the cob, is a different crop from the corn in those acreage numbers, and the Environmental Working Group notes that some of the sweet corn sold in the U.S. is genetically modified; it suggests organic sweet corn for anyone avoiding GMOs.32 Sweet corn, fresh and frozen, even ranks second on EWG's 2026 Clean Fifteen, the produce with the least pesticide residue in USDA testing,34 and organic is still the way to buy it; our guide to GMO foods goes into the wider debate.

Glyphosate is a big part of why I hold to that organic rule, since avoiding it is the biggest argument I can make for switching to organic food, and on my show I've pointed out that it's sprayed on wheat, oats, corn, soy and a majority of our plants today, with corn among the crops sprayed most heavily.3536 The World Health Organization's cancer agency, IARC, classifies glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A),37 and a 2021 analysis of gene sequences estimated that 54% of the species in the core human gut microbiome are sensitive to it, based on the form of the enzyme glyphosate targets.38 Our guide to glyphosate in food lists the other foods where it turns up.

It can reach you through meat, too: when an animal eats corn sprayed with glyphosate, you get it through the meat you eat, which is why I tell people to stay away from non-organic meat as much as they can.39 For the corn on your own plate, look for the USDA Organic seal on fresh and frozen corn, cornmeal, masa, tortillas and popcorn kernels, which covers both the seed and the spraying in one step.33

How to choose and store corn

Corn is a summer food, and it's one of the foods I recommend eating in season, along with zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers and green beans.40 In the summer, my family goes to the farmers market just about every week for our honey, bee pollen, fruit, vegetables, meat and eggs, because the food is fresher and better for you.40 A local farm stand in late summer is a good place to find corn picked that morning, and you can ask the grower how it was raised. The rest of the year, frozen organic corn is a good choice, and my food lists mark organic fresh or frozen vegetables as best.6 Our guide to eating seasonally has more.

When I taught shopping classes with my patients, my number one rule was to spend almost all your time on the perimeter of the store, where the produce and the meat are, and that's where you'll find fresh corn, too.7 For fresh ears:

• Look at the husks. They should be green, tight and not dried out.
• Feel the ear. It should feel solid and round, with kernels that are firm and filled out to the tip.
• Store it cold. Wrap the ears tightly in a bag in the refrigerator and eat them within about three days, or freeze them.
• Freeze it. For kernels, blanch the husked ears in boiling water for 4 minutes, cool them in a bowl of ice water, then cut the kernels off the cob into freezer bags. To freeze whole ears, blanch small ears for 7 minutes, medium ears for 9 and large ears for 11, then cool them well before bagging.
• Keep dried corn sealed. Whole-grain cornmeal keeps the oil-rich germ, so store it airtight in the refrigerator or freezer if you won't use it within a few weeks, and keep masa harina and popcorn kernels in a cool, dry cupboard.10
• Grow your own. If you garden, you can grow sweet corn from organic, non-GMO seed and pick it the day you eat it.

How to cook corn on the cob (boil, grill, roast or microwave)

Start by husking the ears: pull off the husks and the silky threads, cut out any blemishes with a knife and trim about half an inch off the tip. The silk you pull off has uses of its own, which our guide to corn silk covers.

Boil it. Fill a large pot about three-quarters full of water and bring it to a boil, then add the ears, cover the pot, turn off the heat and let them cook for about 10 minutes before draining. A squeeze of lemon in the water, or sea salt and a little ghee afterward, is all the seasoning it needs.

Grill it. Place husked ears on the grill, close the lid and grill them for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. You can also grill the ears in their husks and peel them back afterward, which steams the kernels and keeps them juicy.

Roast it. Brush husked ears with olive oil or ghee, season them with sea salt, and roast them on a sheet pan in a hot oven, turning once, until the kernels are tender and browned in spots.

Microwave it. Place the ears in a microwave-safe dish and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes, then let them cool a little before eating.

Eat it raw. Fresh sweet corn is safe to eat raw, cut straight off the cob into salads and salsas, and raw kernels keep more of their folate.23 Cooked corn has its own advantage, since heat frees more of the ferulic acid,26 so enjoy it both ways.

How to use corn

Corn works in almost every part of the meal once you have a few forms of it in your kitchen: fresh or frozen kernels, masa harina, whole-grain cornmeal and a jar of popcorn kernels.

Corn recipes

These recipes keep corn whole, pair it with protein and vegetables, and use goat, sheep or coconut dairy, ghee and raw honey where an older recipe would call for butter, cream or sugar. For the Thanksgiving table, our cornbread stuffing builds its cornbread from sprouted corn flour and coconut milk, and you can use ghee in place of the butter and raw honey in place of the coconut sugar.

Grilled corn on the cob with lime, chili and herbs

The simplest way to eat summer corn, brushed with ghee or olive oil instead of butter and finished with lime and chili.

Elote-style street corn with goat feta

Mexican street corn, made with avocado oil mayonnaise and crumbled goat or sheep feta in place of the usual cow's-milk cheese and cream.

Corn chowder with wild cod

A creamy chowder thickened partly with its own blended corn and finished with coconut milk, with wild cod or halibut, fish with fins and scales, in place of shellfish.

Black bean, corn and tomato salad

A make-ahead salad that pairs corn with black beans, so the protein and the fiber come together in one bowl.

Homemade corn tortillas

These tortillas take three ingredients and a hot skillet, and because masa harina is corn that has already been lime-cooked the traditional way, they carry the calcium and niacin benefits of masa.

Honey kettle corn

Popcorn popped at home in coconut oil and tossed with a thin drizzle of warmed raw honey and a pinch of salt. Leave out the honey for plain popcorn.

More ways to cook with corn

• Chicken and corn casserole. Bake pastured chicken, organic corn, peppers and onions under a coconut-milk sauce with crumbled goat cheese.
• Sweet or savory corn pudding. Bake corn kernels with eggs and coconut milk until set, sweetened with a drizzle of raw honey or made savory with green chiles.
• Cornbread or corn muffins. Use whole-grain or sprouted corn flour, eggs, coconut milk or goat-milk kefir, and raw honey in place of sugar.
• Gluten-free corn bread. Blend corn flour with other gluten-free flours for a sandwich loaf or flatbread.
• Calabacitas. Our calabacitas sautés zucchini, yellow squash and roasted corn with cumin, chipotle and chickpeas, topped with poached eggs and avocado.
• Fish tacos. Our fish taco recipe uses wild cod, halibut or mahi mahi, and for a real taco it suggests organic corn tortillas.
• Chili verde with chicken and corn. Stir a cup or two of organic corn kernels into our chili verde with chicken for the last 10 minutes of simmering.
• Polenta. Simmer whole-grain cornmeal in bone broth until thick and creamy, then finish it with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs.

Is corn safe? Side effects and who should be careful

Whole corn is a safe, everyday food for most people, and a few situations call for some care.

Corn allergy. Some people are allergic to corn. If you are, read labels for corn-derived ingredients such as cornstarch, corn syrup and corn oil, and treat swelling of the throat or trouble breathing after eating it as an emergency: call 911. Our guide to food allergy symptoms explains the warning signs.

Moldy corn. Corn grown or stored in damp conditions can grow molds that make aflatoxin and fumonisins, so buy it fresh, keep dried corn products cool and dry, and throw out kernels or meal that look moldy or smell musty. In a study that measured blood markers once in 915 adults in southern and eastern Mexico, who ate a median of about 307 grams of maize a day, each homemade-masa tortilla went with 2.8% higher aflatoxin markers in the blood, while store-bought masa and tortillas added very little,41 so if you make masa at home, start with clean, dry kernels. Lime-cooking helps here, too: in a trial of 40 adults in Soweto, South Africa, nixtamalization cut fumonisins B1 and B2 in visibly moldy maize by 95% and removed aflatoxin B1, and the people's urine markers afterward were no different from those after clean maize.13 If you're working through mold toxicity, I recommend minimizing foods that tend to carry mycotoxins, including peanuts, wheat and corn.42

Young children. The CDC lists cooked or raw whole corn kernels and popcorn among the foods that can cause choking in young children,43 so cut the kernels off the cob and mash or blend them, and save popcorn until they're older.

A sensitive gut. Whole kernels are fibrous, and a large serving can leave some people bloated. Start with half a cup and chew it well, or choose masa, polenta or a blended corn soup, since lime-cooking removes much of the tough outer skin and makes the corn easier to digest.13

Blood sugar. If you have diabetes or insulin resistance, keep corn to an ear or a cup with protein and vegetables, and leave corn syrup, cornflakes and corn chips off your plate.2

Interaction check: Low. None is documented at food amounts.

The bottom line

Corn: frequently asked questions

References

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Corn, sweet, yellow, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt. FDC ID 169999 (SR Legacy, NDB 11168; per 100 g; small ear 89 g, medium ear 103 g, large ear 118 g, 1 cup 149 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
2. Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31(12):2281-3. doi:10.2337/dc08-1239 (Table 1).
3. Carvalho-Wells AL, Helmolz K, Nodet C, Molzer C, Leonard C, McKevith B, et al. Determination of the in vivo prebiotic potential of a maize-based whole grain breakfast cereal: a human feeding study. Br J Nutr. 2010;104(9):1353-6. doi:10.1017/S0007114510002084
4. Liedike B, Khatib M, Tabarsi B, Harris M, Wilson SL, Ortega-Santos CP, et al. Evaluating the Effects of Corn Flour Product Consumption on Cardiometabolic Outcomes and the Gut Microbiota in Adults with Elevated Cholesterol: A Randomized Crossover. J Nutr. 2024;154(8):2437-2447. doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.003
5. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Snacks, popcorn, air-popped. FDC ID 167959 (SR Legacy, NDB 19034; per 100 g; 1 cup 8 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
6. Axe J, Rubin J. The Biblio Diet. Hachette Book Group; 2025. ISBN 9781546008439 (food lists: grains "corn (organic)", p. 165, with "organic/sprouted is best for grains and flours"; vegetables "corn (only organic)", with "organic fresh or frozen are best"; gluten-free flours "sprouted corn flour"; avoid list "corn syrup"; packaged foods with five ingredients or fewer).
7. Axe J. How to Prevent CANCER: 15 Proven Ways to Lower Your Risk. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2026 (at 17:58, grains 100% organic with good fiber; at 21:31, shopping classes and the perimeter of the store).
8. Axe J. Hidden Signs Your Liver Is Sluggish (And What To Do Before It Becomes Serious). The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2026 (at 12:34-13:15, high-fructose corn syrup and the liver).
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11. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Corn flour, yellow, degermed, unenriched. FDC ID 169695 (SR Legacy, NDB 20018; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
12. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Cornstarch. FDC ID 169698 (SR Legacy, NDB 20027; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
13. Maris E, Ndlangamandla P, Adelusi OA, Akinmoladun OF, Odukoya JO, Fagbohun RT, et al. Nixtamalization of Maize to Reduce Mycotoxin Exposure: A Human Biomonitoring Intervention Study in Soweto, South Africa. Toxins (Basel). 2025;17(11):527. doi:10.3390/toxins17110527
14. Axe J. The Anti-Inflammatory Reset: The 30-Day Healing Protocol. DrAxe.com protocol. 2026 (the "Cut these" list of foods that "feed the fire," p. 20).
15. Matsuoka Y, Vigouroux Y, Goodman MM, Sanchez G J, Buckler E, Doebley J. A single domestication for maize shown by multilocus microsatellite genotyping. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(9):6080-4. doi:10.1073/pnas.052125199
16. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Cornmeal, whole-grain, yellow. FDC ID 169697 (SR Legacy, NDB 20020; per 100 g; 1 cup 122 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
17. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Syrups, corn, high-fructose. FDC ID 169659 (SR Legacy, NDB 19351; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
18. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Oil, corn, industrial and retail, all purpose salad or cooking. FDC ID 171029 (SR Legacy, NDB 4518; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
19. Nuss ET, Tanumihardjo SA. Maize: A Paramount Staple Crop in the Context of Global Nutrition. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2010;9(4):417-436. doi:10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00117.x
20. Bertoia ML, Mukamal KJ, Cahill LE, Hou T, Ludwig DS, Mozaffarian D, et al. Changes in Intake of Fruits and Vegetables and Weight Change in United States Men and Women Followed for Up to 24 Years: Analysis from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. PLoS Med. 2015;12(9):e1001878. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001878
21. Grandjean AC, Fulgoni VL 3rd, Reimers KJ, Agarwal S. Popcorn consumption and dietary and physiological parameters of US children and adults: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 dietary survey data. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(5):853-6. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.02.018
22. Celiac Disease Foundation. Gluten-Free Foods. Accessed November 5, 2026.
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24. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Corn grain, yellow. FDC ID 170288 (SR Legacy, NDB 20014; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
25. Suri DJ, Tanumihardjo SA. Effects of Different Processing Methods on the Micronutrient and Phytochemical Contents of Maize: From A to Z. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2016;15(5):912-926. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12216
26. Dewanto V, Wu X, Liu RH. Processed sweet corn has higher antioxidant activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(17):4959-64. doi:10.1021/jf0255937
27. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Corn flour, masa, unenriched, white. FDC ID 169696 (SR Legacy, NDB 20019; per 100 g). Accessed November 5, 2026.
28. Titcomb TJ, Sheftel J, Sowa M, Gannon BM, Davis CR, Palacios-Rojas N, et al. β-Cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin are highly bioavailable from whole-grain and refined biofortified orange maize in humans with optimal vitamin A status: a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;108(4):793-802. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy134
29. Wu J, Cho E, Willett WC, Sastry SM, Schaumberg DA. Intakes of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Other Carotenoids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration During 2 Decades of Prospective Follow-up. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015;133(12):1415-24. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.3590
30. Nguyen V, Cooper L, Lowndes J, Melanson K, Angelopoulos TJ, Rippe JM, et al. Popcorn is more satiating than potato chips in normal-weight adults. Nutr J. 2012;11:71. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-71
31. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States: Recent Trends in GE Adoption. Accessed November 5, 2026.
32. Environmental Working Group. Frequently asked questions about EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Accessed October 20, 2026.
33. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 7 CFR § 205.105, Allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients in organic production and handling (items a and e), with § 205.2, Terms defined ("excluded methods"). Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. Accessed November 5, 2026.
34. Environmental Working Group. EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce: The Full List (2026 Clean Fifteen, the middle 20 and the 2026 Dirty Dozen). Accessed November 5, 2026.
35. Axe J. The Shocking Reason Your Anxiety, Brain Fog & Bloating May Start in Your Gut. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2026 (at 1:23, the gut microbiome; at 15:36 and 27:35, fiber and short-chain fatty acids; at 31:13-32:33, glyphosate and eating organic).
36. Axe J. Complete Guide to Healing Leaky Gut Naturally. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2026 (at 13:23, the crops sprayed most with glyphosate).
37. Guyton KZ, Loomis D, Grosse Y, El Ghissassi F, Benbrahim-Tallaa L, Guha N, et al. Carcinogenicity of tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate. Lancet Oncol. 2015;16(5):490-1. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70134-8
38. Leino L, Tall T, Helander M, Saloniemi I, Saikkonen K, Ruuskanen S, et al. Classification of the glyphosate target enzyme (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) for assessing sensitivity of organisms to the herbicide. J Hazard Mater. 2021;408:124556. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124556
39. Axe J. Natural Remedies for Asthma, ADHD, & Aluminum-Free Deodorants | Q&A with Dr. Josh Axe. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2024 (at 3:06-3:48, sprayed feed corn and non-organic meat).
40. Axe J. Top 10 Habits for Better Health & Longevity in 2025. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2024 (at 28:13, the farmers market; at 29:09, summer foods in season).
41. Solís-Martínez O, Monge A, Groopman JD, McGlynn KA, Romero-Martínez M, Palacios-Rojas N, et al. Maize consumption and circulating aflatoxin levels in Mexican middle- and older-aged adults: a cross-sectional analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2025;121(2):454-462. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.12.018
42. Axe J. Mold Toxicity: Symptoms, Testing, and Full Detox Protocol. The Dr. Josh Axe Show. 2024 (at 28:56, foods that tend to carry mycotoxins).
43. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Choking Hazards. Infant and Toddler Nutrition. Accessed November 5, 2026.
44. Smith W. Smith's Bible Dictionary, "Corn" ("Our Indian corn was unknown in Bible times"); with Easton's Bible Dictionary, "Corn". Bible Study Tools. Accessed November 5, 2026.
45. The Holy Bible, King James Version. Psalm 65:9. Project Gutenberg eBook #10.

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS

Doctor of Natural Medicine · Founder, DrAxe.com

Dr. Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, and multiple New York Times bestselling author. He has spent 20+ years in clinical practice helping people heal at the root cause and founded one of the most-visited natural-health platforms in the world.

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