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Cornstarch

Grains Per 100 g · Per 100g serving

Cornstarch is a grain, containing 381 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Carbohydrate, providing 91.27 g (70% of the Daily Value) per 100g serving. This grain is virtually fat-free. Grains are a primary source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals. Whole grains retain the bran and germ, providing substantially more fiber and micronutrients than refined grains. Our database tracks 88 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.

381
Calories
kcal
0.26
Protein
g
0.05
Fat
g
91.3
Carbs
g
0.90
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

💪
Carbohydrate
91.3 g
70% DV
💎
Iron
0.47 mg
6% DV
💎
Copper
0.05 mg
6% DV

Data for 88 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water SR8.3g
0%
Calories SR381kcal
Energy (kJ) SR1,594kj
Protein SR0.26g
0%
Total Fat SR0.05g
Carbohydrate SR91.3g
70%
Fiber SR0.90g
2%
Total Sugars SR0g
Ash SR0.09g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium SR2.0mg
0%
Iron SR0.47mg
6%
Magnesium SR3.0mg
1%
Phosphorus SR13.0mg
2%
Potassium SR3.0mg
0%
Sodium SR9.0mg
1%
Zinc SR0.06mg
0%
Copper SR0.05mg
6%
Manganese SR0.05mg
2%
Selenium SR2.8µg
5%
Vitamins 31
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR0µg
Vitamin A (IU) SR0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene SR0µg
Alpha-Carotene SR0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR0µg
Vitamin C SR0mg
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR0mg
Beta-Tocopherol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocopherol SR0mg
Delta-Tocopherol SR0mg
Alpha-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Beta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Delta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Vitamin K1 SR0µg
Thiamin (B1) SR0mg
Riboflavin (B2) SR0mg
Niacin (B3) SR0mg
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0mg
Vitamin B6 SR0mg
Folate SR0µg
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR0µg
Folate (DFE) SR0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Choline SR0.40mg
0%
Fatty Acids 7
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.009g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.03g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Omega-3 EPA SR0g
Omega-3 DPA SR0g
Omega-3 DHA SR0g
Individual Fatty Acids 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.009g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.001g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.03g
0%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0g
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan SR0.001g
Threonine SR0.009g
Isoleucine SR0.01g
Leucine SR0.04g
Lysine SR0.006g
Methionine SR0.006g
Cystine SR0.006g
Phenylalanine SR0.01g
Tyrosine SR0.01g
Valine SR0.01g
Arginine SR0.01g
Histidine SR0.008g
Alanine SR0.02g
Aspartic Acid SR0.02g
Glutamic Acid SR0.05g
Glycine SR0.009g
Proline SR0.02g
Serine SR0.01g
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol SR0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

2
NRF9.3 Score
Moderate · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Other Vegetables” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Choline loses up to 10% when fried. Boiled (drained) retains 100%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Insulin Response

The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.

68
Insulin Index
High Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 68
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
Macro Model ●● Estimated from macronutrient composition (R²=0.49)

Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Maize (Meal)” category.

1.7
kg CO₂e / kg
Low Impact
2.9
m² land / kg
Land Use
216
L water / kg
Water Use
6.9
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions1.7 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use2.9 m² / kg
Water Use216 L / kg
Eutrophication4.0 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification6.9 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Cereals

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Cereals” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Egypt
1962
2.
Bhutan
1927
3.
Serbia
1888
4.
Morocco
1876
5.
Mali
1862
6.
Ethiopia
1829
7.
Philippines
1774
8.
Bangladesh
1756
9.
Myanmar
1738
10.
Nepal
1679

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+8%
1961: 1030 kcal2023: 1108 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Cornstarch?

Cornstarch contains 381 kcal per 100 grams, making it a calorie-dense food. The energy comes from 0.26g of protein (0% of calories), 0.05g of fat (0%), and 91.3g of carbohydrates (96%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Cornstarch most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Cornstarch is Carbohydrate, providing 91.3 g per 100g (70% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Iron (6% DV). Our database tracks 88 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Cornstarch high in protein?

At 0.26g per 100 grams, Cornstarch is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Cornstarch?

Cornstarch contains 0.90g of fiber per 100 grams, which is a small amount. To increase fiber intake, consider pairing with high-fiber foods such as legumes, whole grains, or vegetables.

What is the insulin index of Cornstarch?

Cornstarch has a high insulin response (II: 68) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). Foods with high insulin scores stimulate significant insulin release, which may be relevant for blood sugar management. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.