Amaranth has a long and rich history; its earliest use was in Aztec religious rituals. Amaranth has long been valued for its rich nutrient content and the many diverse benefits one can enjoy when making this grain a staple in their healthy and balanced diet.
What is amaranth?
Although amaranth is officially classified as a grain, it is actually a seed just like quinoa. It is collected from the amaranth plant, as almost 60,000 seeds can be collected from one plant.
If you are curious about the rest of the amaranth plant, other parts of it are also eaten. For example, the leaves of the plant are a great addition to soups and stir-fry dishes. These leafy greens are often included in Caribbean and Asian dishes.
The plant is native to Peru, but amaranth plants can also be found in the wild in Thailand, China, Nepal, Mexico and Russia.
What are the health benefits of amaranth?
Due to the rich nutritional content of this cereal, its regular consumption provides unique benefits. Amaranth is a delicious way to get a dose of fiber and protein while boosting your immune system or even improving your hair. Here we list just a few of the many benefits that amaranth provides you with.
If you're looking for a tasty way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals, consider adding amaranth to your meals. By consuming amaranth, you boost your intake of the minerals potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and copper.
It is vitally important to get enough minerals in our diet because they are responsible for building and repairing the body, enhancing the body's ability to stay well hydrated and providing a stable foundation for various body functions and processes.
Amaranth also provides a great way to boost the vitamin content of our meals, such as vitamins A, C, E, and B vitamins such as riboflavin, folate, niacin, and vitamins B5 and B6.
Getting enough vitamins from food is necessary to control hormones in the body, which is a precursor to almost all body functions.
In addition to all the vitamins and minerals that amaranth provides, this grain is also a great source of protein. It is quite possible that one of the most valuable resources in amaranth, its rich protein content, allows the body to break down plant proteins and convert them into amino acids, which in turn the body converts into usable proteins.
The body needs protein to build new tissues and cells, and this is an important part of healing and protecting it from disease. Anyone looking to boost their daily protein intake should know that amaranth contains the highest concentration of protein of any grain.
If you're still not convinced about the nutritional value of amaranth, consider its fiber content. Getting enough fiber in your diet helps with smooth digestion, adding bulk to your stools and efficient elimination.
Fiber also prevents constipation and diarrhea. Adding fiber to your diet is also a great way to maintain a healthy weight because fiber fills you up and keeps you from overeating. Other benefits of fiber include glucose control, blood pressure regulation, and helping the body maintain energy levels.
Continuous consumption of amaranth can help reduce the likelihood of developing cancer, not only because of its anti-inflammatory but also because of its antioxidant properties.
These two types of properties help protect cells from mutation and even repair cells already damaged by free radicals. Antioxidants detect free radicals, which are toxins absorbed by the body from many factors such as the environment, food and various bad habits.
As many useful properties as amaranth has, it can also harm your health. People suffering from problems with the kidneys, the appearance of stones in them or the bladder, should not consume the seeds of the plant in raw form. The same applies to people with a weak digestive system, because their body will not be able to digest them properly, and this can lead to more serious problems.
The simplest recipe of all:
Amaranth salad:
300gr amaranth
2 tablespoons olive oil
The juice of half a lemon 🍋
salt and black pepper to your taste.
What you need to do is wash and steam the amaranth. Once you have finished cooking it, cut it into large pieces and season it with a little olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add half a squeezed lemon and enjoy the freshness. The salad can be eaten both warm and cold, depending on your preferences. Also, if you want to get more vitamins, the salad is beautifully complemented with tomatoes, garlic and olives.
Enjoy and stay healthy!
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A.A
Stob, Bulgaria