Health Benefits of Amaranth

Amaranth is still relatively obscure in many places these days. The seeds of the Amaranth perennial plant have been valued for thousands of years by the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America due to its beneficial diet and health properties. Some varieties of the plant are cultivated as both a leafy vegetable and a cereal grain, as well as for its essential oils. The entire Amaranth plant has many proven health benefits. While it has been exported all over the world these days, it is still primarily used and consumed in Central America.

Protein Rich

Many grains are known to have a lot of protein in them. Amaranth is on the higher end of this spectrum. This makes it a valuable food source for those who consume it on a regular basis. It helps their bodies grow and operate with clean amounts of energy. Since the Amaranth is plant protein, it is healthier than most other proteins that are regularly consumed by humans. This creates better, longer lasting energy and metabolic functionality.

Awesome Antioxidant

Amaranth is also being recognized now as something with a high concentration of antioxidants. Thanks to many new studies, it has been revealed that the plant has a particular peptide inside of it that can reduce inflammation in one’s body. And it also prevents the activity of free radicals that can cause cancer to begin to develop. Anti-inflammatory molecules in this peptide can also help alleviate gout, arthritis and other inflammation-related issues. This is a new bit of information to be discovered by the health community about Amaranth.

Makes Your Bones Stronger

Regular consumption of Amaranth can help improve your bone density because it contains a concentrated amount of calcium. In fact, few other vegetables contain as much calcium as Amaranth. This makes it a superfood in regards to making your bones stronger, which will prevent health problems like osteoporosis in the future. Without calcium, your bones will begin to demineralize and keep you from being as active when you are older.

Good for the Digestive System

Amaranth is also good for your overall digestive health, on a variety of different fronts. There is a high fiber content to the plant and grain, resulting in easier digestion of food and smoother uptake of other minerals you have consumed at a meal. Amaranth is also gluten free which alleviates the growing concerns people have about consuming gluten, especially the millions of people who suffer from Celiac’s disease.

Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Amaranth is also known to improve or maintain heart health, for many different reasons. For one, the high amounts of fiber and phytosterols lower cholesterol levels overall by reducing the bad cholesterol in your cardiovascular system. By doing this, it also lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of ailments like atherosclerosis. It is also helped by the high potassium content, or Vitamin K, in Amaranth.

Eliminates Varicose Veins in Some

Those unsightly blue and purple veins that end up on some people’s legs and arms who have circulatory problems tend to be embarrassing for those who have them. And they can be painful. For some, Amaranth is the secret to getting rid of them. There are numerous flavonoids, including Rutin, which has been directly linked to reducing these varicose veins. And it strengthens the capillary walls, so they don’t come back. The high concentration of Vitamin C in Amaranth also leads to an increase in the production of collagen. This also makes blood vessels stronger.

Improved Vision

There is a significant amount of evidence that says Amaranth helps improve eye health. Or help to maintain it if consumed on a regular basis. With a high level of carotenoids and Vitamin A in the Amaranth leaves, eye health gets a significant boost. Muscular degeneration can be prevented. And cataracts can be slowed down or stopped entirely. Both of these things allow your vision to remain healthy for years to come.

Helpful When it Comes to Weight Loss

It should be of no surprise that eating Amaranth grains or leaves on a regular basis will help you lose weight. The superfood has very low caloric content. There is also the fact that eating a significant amount of plant protein causes your body to release a sated hormone. This makes you feel more full. On top of that, the large amount of dietary fiber in Amaranth will be bulky in your stomach for an extended period. This helps keep you from snacking between meals. In short, it’s a great addition to just about any weight loss plan.

Improves Hair Health

Amaranth also improves the health of hair. It can stop male pattern baldness or just improve hair’s overall look and feel. This is because it contains a relatively rare amino acid called lysine which the human body cannot naturally produce. By consuming lysine, calcium uptake efficiency is improved. And hair follicles are strengthened, keeping hair from falling out as easily. Another technique that is employed from Amaranth is removing the juice and oils from the leaves and applying it to your hair after you shampoo. This further strengthens it and preventing hair loss.

Good For Pregnancies

Amaranth is not only safe for pregnant women to consume but is also beneficial for the health of the mother and child in her womb. That’s because Amaranth has a tremendous amount of folate, which is an essential mineral for pregnant mothers to have. Without enough folate, a deficiency can occur which can lead to neural tube defects in newborns. Mothers who add Amaranth grains to their diet on a regular basis throughout their pregnancy will ensure there is no risk of anything like this ever happening, protecting the newest addition to the family.