Good news for popcorn lovers: new research has revealed that popcorn has more antioxidants and dietary fiber than any other snack food. It was also found that many oat-based cereals and whole-grain snacks are good sources of these ingredients.

The research was conducted by Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor and his team at the University of of Scranton in Pennsylvania. Because the antioxidants in popcorn are protected from the sun during the drying process and only a small amount is lost when popped, it remains rich in antioxidants. As a whole grain, it is also rich in fiber and these processes don't remove any fiber. According to Vinson, the healthiest popcorn is air-popped, with minimal salt and butter added. Oversalted and overbuttered popcorn turns a healthy snack into junk food.

The researchers also discovered that virtually all whole-grain cereals and grain-based snacks contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant thought to provide key health benefits. They possess anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found that whole-grain products have a comparable level of antioxidants to fruits and vegetables. The highest concentrations of polyphenols were found in whole-grain corn and oats cereals. For snacks, popcorn had the highest polyphenol content, while for cereal, raisin bran had the highest, although this is partically due to the raisins.

Moderation of these foods is important, since cereals tend to contain a lot of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. However, Vinson believes the benefits of eating these foods may be greater than the negatives.