Health Benefits of Amaranth Grain

Health Benefits of Amaranth Grain

Amaranth grain (left) and wheat (right)

(Amaranthus hypochondrim aestivum)
General Information 
Amaranth is a healthy, nutritious grain. It can be cooked as a cereal, ground into flour, popped like popcorn, sprouted, or toasted. The seeds can be cooked with other whole grains, added to stir fry or to soups and stews as a nutrient dense thickening agent.

History 
Amaranth was a staple in the diets of pre -Columbian Aztecs, who believed it had supernatural powers and incorporated it into their religious ceremonies. Before the Spanish conquest in 1519, amaranth was associated with human sacrifice and the Aztec women made a mixture of ground amaranth seed, honey or human blood then shaped this mixture into idols that were eaten ceremoniously.  Amaranth is used in various cultures in some very interesting ways. In Mexico it is popped and mixed with a sugar solution to make a confection called “alegria” (happiness), and milled and roasted amaranth seed is used to create a traditional Mexican drink called “atole.” The name amaranth comes from the Greek meaning of “never-fading flower.” The plant is an annual herb, not a “true” grain and is a relative of pigweed, a common wild plant also known as lamb’s-quarters, as well as the garden plant we know as Cockscomb. There are approximately 60 species of amaranth and there is no definite distinction between amaranth grown for the leaf (vegetable), and the seed (grain).

Nutritional Benefits 
It provides a good source of dietary fiber and dietary minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and especially manganese. It has more iron, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium than any other grain.  Combined with corn or wheat flour, it makes “almost” a perfect protein.

Medical Claims 
Amaranth seed is high in protein and contains respectable amounts of lysine and methionine, two essential amino acids that are not frequently found in grains. In fact the lysine level contained in amaranth are twice the amount of lysine found in wheat and 3 times the amount as that found in corn. Several studies have shown that like oats,  amaranth seed or oil may be of benefit for those with hypertension and cardiovascular disease; regular consumption reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while improving antioxidant status and some immune parameters. Amaranth appears to lower cholesterol via its content of plant stanols and squalene.