Can You Eat Cornstarch Raw? Is It Bad for You?

Cornstarch is a powder used in food as a thickening agent. It’s also used commercially in a wide range of products, from detergents to biodegradable plastics, according to a review published in Polymers. It’s extracted from corn through extensive processing that strips most of the original nutritional value.

Some people say eating cornstarch raw keeps hunger at bay and helps control blood sugar, but how accurate is that? Here’s everything you need to know.

Is Raw Cornstarch Edible?

You may have heard stories of people eating raw cornstarch for blood sugar issues or to treat other health issues.

It’s true that at one time, raw cornstarch was recommended as a bedtime snack for people with type 2 diabetes and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

However, more recent findings have shown no conclusive benefit in eating a bedtime snack for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, according to a review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Raw cornstarch is still part of current treatment plans for a few rare diseases, such as glycogen storage disease type Ia, according to a review in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease.

Those who don’t need cornstarch to manage a disease should not eat it raw. Cornstarch doesn’t offer any nutrition beyond simple calories. Eating it raw may cause unpleasant digestive side effects, such as stomach pain or a blockage in the intestines, according to Mount Sinai.

What Is Cornstarch?

Every grain, including corn, has three main parts: the germ, bran, and endosperm, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The bran and germ are highly nutritious as they contain most of the fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and B vitamins in the grain.

Cornstarch is made solely from corn’s endosperm. It’s high in starch and considered to be a processed food with little nutritional value.

While starch is an important nutrient in our diet, according to Harvard, it’s not digested the same way when it comes from whole-grain corn versus cornstarch.

Whole grains have fiber, which helps keep blood sugar stable, while cornstarch does not, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Can You Eat Cornstarch Raw?

It’s not advisable to eat cornstarch raw for a few reasons, unless a doctor or dietitian recommends it as part of a disease treatment plan.

For one, eating cornstarch raw may lead to digestive problems. Heating starches during cooking helps break them down, making them easier to digest.

Raw Cornstarch and Pica

If you habitually crave eating cornstarch, talk to your doctor, as this is a symptom of a disorder called pica.

Pica is a craving for substances that are not defined as food, such as dirt, chalk, paper, charcoal, or raw starches, says Cleveland Clinic.

Pica affects people of all ages, but those at a higher risk of it include at-risk pregnant women and children with certain mental health conditions, according to a review in BMC Oral Health.

If you think you have pica, talk to your doctor immediately. They can order blood tests to check whether you have anemia or are deficient in any other nutrients, and can work with you to create a treatment plan.

The Best Way to Eat Cornstarch

Though it lacks nutrition, cornstarch is a highly multifunctional product. A safe way to eat cornstarch is by incorporating it in dishes. It acts as a great thickener in recipes for sauces, soups, stews, and curries.

Because cornstarch is gluten-free, it can serve as an alternative to wheat flour in recipes for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, according to Beyond Celiac. However, more nutritious gluten-free flour options are available.

For instance, oat flour has significantly more fiber, protein, and minerals than cornstarch, according to the USDA. Oats can come into contact with gluten during processing, though, notes the Gluten Intolerance Group.