Why You Should Try Out Amaranth Grains
Amaranth is an ancient plant that is common among the Americans and the Mexicans. Although, some groups of people find the other parts of the crop edible and high in nutrients. However, the most nutritious part of the plant is its seeds, which they otherwise refer to as grains. They are tiny-looking seeds with a light-brownish hue, with a nutty taste and earthy flavor. These grains can be used as healthy substitutes for flour. They are gluten-free and are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Being an ancient plant, it is still recognized today among many, and some health food stores sell this superfood. Amaranth grains, though they possess a high nutritional profile, should not be eaten raw because it is packed with oxalates and nitrates, both of which are unhealthy for you. These toxic compounds can be gotten rid of when the grains are boiled.
Due to the high amounts of nutrients in amaranth grains, it supplies the body with numerous health benefits like protecting the heart health, lowering of appetite for weight management, protection of the bone health, boosting of the immune system, and enhancing digestion.
Amaranth grains having a high nutritional profile is not an overstatement. The following is an inventory of nutrients that amaranth grains are rich sources of. Check out the list and confirm for yourself. Note that this is not an all-out list, as amaranth grains have more nutritional content than the ones in this list. The following are the most prominent nutrients in amaranth grains;
Water 75.16 g
Protein 9.8 g
Carbs 48.69 g
Fat 5.48 g
Iron 21% of the required daily intake value
Ash 0.77 g
Fibre 12.1 g
Starch 16.23 g
Phosphorus 148 mg
Calcium 47 mg
Magnesium 65 mg
Copper 18% of the required daily intake value
Manganese 40% of the required daily intake value
Selenium 19% of the required daily intake value
What is more? Its magnesium content protects brain health and improves cognitive functions. It is also stuffed with calcium and iron, both of which are important for your bone and blood health.
Health Benefits of Amaranth Grains
Gluten-free
Amaranth grains have no single trace of gluten. It is naturally a gluten-free superfood. This makes it a healthy choice for people who, for one reason or the other, are asked to stay off gluten-rich foods. This includes people battling with health conditions like celiac disease. People living with celiac disease are specifically advised to avoid gluten-rich foods. This is because it could cause severe damage to their gut. Thus, if you are a celiac disease patient and you need a completely natural gluten-free food, try out Amaranth grains. Asides from protecting your gut health, they will also supply you with other nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy.
Prevents Cancer
Cancer is actually one of the top 10 causes of death in the world today. It sometimes comes as a result of compromised genes unhealthy lifestyles, among other reasons. Up till now, there have been no certain cures for cancer. It can only be managed through a process of shrinking the cancerous cells. However, it is better safe than sorry.
According to research, amaranth grains are packed with compounds like peptides. This compound, though it is known to help in the treatment of inflammation, it is also effective at preventing cancer. It does this by hampering the growth of cells that might have the tendencies of becoming cancerous. It also protects the cells in the body from damage.
Rich Source of Antioxidants
Free radicals lead to oxidative damage in the body. Its activities revolve around the damaging of cells. Cellular damage can trigger chronic health conditions. To prevent such from happening, foods rich in antioxidants are advised to be included in your diets, and amaranth grains have all the antioxidant properties you need to stay healthy and protect the cells in your body from damage.
The antioxidant compounds in amaranth grains can help prevent chronic health conditions like cancer, liver diseases, and heart diseases. Antioxidants also help in the protection of the body against inflammation. Inflammation could be a result of any underlying health condition like cancer or heart disease. However, adopting or following a diet rich in antioxidants will help kick off inflammation and protect your vital organs. One sure antioxidant-rich superfood to add is amaranth grains. Not only will they supply you with enough antioxidants, but they will also give your body maximum protection from damage.
Encourages Digestion
Fiber is one nutrient that ensures the easy movement of the bowel. It aids digestion and helps preserve and protect gut health. Amaranth grains are packed with 12.1 g of dietary fiber, which is enough to keep your gut health safe. Its high fiber contents can prevent you from experiencing both mild and severe gut conditions like gastric ulcers, constipation, cramps, bloating, among others.
Thus, if you encounter any of the above-mentioned, add fiber-rich foods to your diet, and make sure to include amaranth seeds, as they will work beyond protecting your gut health and extend their healing tentacles towards maintaining your general well-being.
Reduces Cholesterol Accumulation in the Body
Too much cholesterol in the body can be very harmful to you, especially to your heart. Excessive cholesterol content in the blood has been discovered to be the cause of many heart conditions today. This is because when cholesterol becomes too much in the body, the arteries begin to narrow, thereby pushing your heart to work harder in pumping and transporting blood throughout your body. The heart’s process of working harder could lead to high blood pressure, which is unhealthy for you. Thus, to prevent such, ensure to reduce your intake of foods that could cause the accumulation of cholesterol in your body. Also, add foods that can eliminate the already accumulated ones. Amaranth grains, according to research, can reduce bad cholesterol levels by up to 22% and can increase the good ones in the process. This makes amaranth grains a healthy choice for you in reducing the excessive amounts of cholesterol in your body.
Boosts the Immune System
The immune system is the body’s guileless defense against foreign bodies. When your immune system is down, your body begins to experience funny feelings that eventually make you break down. Preventing this involves engaging in healthy lifestyles and feeding habits that can help you protect and boost your immune system.
According to research, the vitamins, antioxidants, and mineral contents in amaranth grains are capable of improving the function of the immune system, thereby protecting your body from the invasion of infections and diseases.
Prevents Inflammation
When you notice symptoms of inflammation, there could be various causes for that. It could be on the one hand that you have overused or overstressed your body, or it may be that you have a hidden health condition that has triggered the inflammation. Be it the former or the latter, inflammation is a sign that something is wrong in your body and requires that you act fast to prevent further damage.
Inflammation occurs as a result of the production of a compound known as immunoglobulin E. Thus, tackling inflammation involves the slowing down or the reduction of the compound. Studies have shown that consuming amaranth grains regularly in healthy and moderate amounts can help reduce the rate at which the immunoglobulin E. compound is produced in the body, thereby preventing inflammation in the process. This automatically means amaranth grains also possess anti-inflammatory properties that can both prevent and cure inflammation.
Prevents Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone condition that occurs mostly at old age. Although few young people suffer from it. One of the ways of remedying this health condition is by consuming calcium-rich foods. According to research, the calcium content in amaranth grains is twice the calcium content in milk. Consuming amaranth grains regularly for up to 2 months can, according to studies, improve the mineral density of the bone and also slow down the progression of osteoporosis. Need calcium-rich food for preventing and managing osteoporosis? Amaranth is a great choice.
Protects the Eye Health
Vitamin A is the major nutrient that protects eye health, and amaranth grains have high amounts of vitamin A. Research has shown that amaranth grain has enough vitamin A contents to protect the eyes from eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataract.
Conclusion
Amaranth grains are healthy and nutritious for you. They prevent and cure selected health conditions. However, they cannot and should not be eating raw, as this could be dangerous for their health. Boiling them before consumption will help in the elimination of the toxin contained in their raw form.
