Yes, that was the corn you ate yesterday. No, you’re not broken. Here’s what’s going on.
Each kernel has a tough outer shell made of cellulose, a fibre humans have no enzyme to break down.
Your gut digests the soft inside of the kernel and leaves the shell behind. The shell is yellow, shiny and shaped like a kernel, so it looks like nothing happened.
The shell is useful. It adds bulk and helps keep things moving, which is why corn is often called a fibre food.
Chewing breaks more shells open, so you absorb more of what’s inside. Gulping cobs whole means more kernels make it through intact.
Yes. Whole kernels in stool are common and usually harmless. If you notice blood, ongoing pain, or a lasting change in your bowel habits, ask a doctor.
Not much. Boiling, grilling and steaming soften the kernel, but the shell stays tough either way.
Same shell, different shape. Popcorn hulls pass through undigested too, and they’re the ones that get stuck in your teeth first.
Chew each bite well, or eat creamed corn or polenta, where the shells are ground up. You can also accept it and carry on.