Eat Your Smut or You’ll Get no Dessert

“Corn smut” is in fact the basidiomycete fungus, Ustilago maydis, also known as huitlacoche (WEET-LA-KO-CHEE) in Mexico, U.S. farmers have spent millions trying to eradicate it, shame really as it turns out that “Corn smut” is better for you than the corn it grows off of according to a new study.

Corn smut, also known as “the devil’s corn” contains valuable nutrients that aren’t found in the corn that it feeds off. In Mexico it is already considered a delicacy despite its evil zombie brain appearance. It is full of essential nutrients, including lysine, an amino acid that can strengthen bones and make your skin look younger (lady’s, take note) and beta-glucens, a soluble fibre that helps reduce cholesterol, making it better for you than the corn it apparently “ruins.”

If Tom eats it first I’ll give it a go and as long as I don’t think about evil zombie brains it should stay down to.

[Associated Press]