Question
My son is very fond of eating popcorn and always asks me to buy it when we go out. If I don’t, he gets upset. He eats at least two bags a week. Sometimes we buy raw popcorn from the supermarket and then roast it at home using a microwave. What are the negative health effects of overeating popcorn?
Answer
Popcorn is made with an iron pot coated with a layer of leaded alloy during the manufacturing process. When heated, a small amount of lead vaporizes and enters the popcorn. After consuming these popcorn, lead can harm the nervous system and digestive system. For children, due to their weaker ability to excrete lead, frequent consumption of popcorn may lead to chronic lead poisoning, causing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, purple gums, and stunted growth and development. Therefore, it is recommended that parents not allow children to eat popcorn frequently.