Amaranth, the golden seed

09/11/2015
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Amaranth is a small seed that belongs to Amaranthiae family plants. For a long time period amaranth was one of the basic food diet components of Latin America, also known as “golden seed”. Along with spirulina, amaranth is considered as super foods, because of its ingredients.

Amaranth combines the nutritional benefits of a cereal protein with the nutritional value of seeds. It has high concentrations of lysine, an essential amino acid which should be taken through diet because it can’t be produced by body. Lysine is involved in cell metabolism and plays a crucial role in aging. It takes part to protein synthesis, enzyme hormones and antibodies production and there has been found that can help healing of herpes virus and ulcers. Additionally, lysine takes part in carnitine production, which facilitates fat utilization.

Amaranth is composed by proteins (16%), calcium (200mg) and iron (9mg). Amaranth is also rich in magnesium, vitamin A, folic acid and is suitable for people allergy in gluten (celiac disease). Amaranth’s proteins are of high quality and bioavailability, because despite from lysine it derives body with several essential amino acids. In addition, amaranth is rich in linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid and in vitamin E, which is known for antioxidant cell protection towards free radicals.

Furthermore, due to its ingredients amaranth promotes satiety, helps weight maintenance and cholesterol reduction. In case of indigestion or chronic constipation, may be very helpful, because of its high fiber content. There is evidence that supports that amaranth promotes brain health.

Use daily amaranth in your diet as part of your breakfast, salads, creams, soups or even bread.

Rita Gkatzouli

Bsc, Pharmacist graduate of School of Pharmacy, AUTH. Specialized in Alternative Therapies, Homeopathy, Homeotoxicology, Bach’s Flower Remedies, Herbal Therary, Gemmotherapy. Blog Chief Editor at Vita4you.gr.

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The content of this blogspot is not and can not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All information is provided to readers solely for informational purposes. There is no intention to substitute this content for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.

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