Amaranth grain is a gluten-free grain that is high in protein, fiber, and essential lysine. The most important health benefits of amaranth grain include its ability to protect the heart, boost the immune system, strengthen bones, optimize digestion, and lower your appetite.
What is Amaranth Grain?
Despite being one of the most ancient forms of cultivated food, amaranth grain remains extremely important for human health, just as it did for the Aztecs and other indigenous cultures up to 8,000 years ago. You will most commonly find amaranth grain sold in health food shops, as it is still not a widely cultivated grain, but the demand for this nutrient-packed grain is growing. The most commonly cultivated species are Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus cruentus and are used in North America, Mexico, Central America, and certain parts of India. The largest cultivator of amaranth grain is the United States, but it is widely used and grown in parts of Mexico as well. Amaranth leaves are also valuable, although far less popular than the grains themselves. [1] [2]
The grains can be made into amaranth flour as a substitute for traditional flour sources and provides a much richer variety of nutrients, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals than other grains. While the distribution of amaranth grain is still relatively limited, given that it only returned to cultivation in the 1970s, the increasing global demand for complete protein sources and nutrient-dense staple foods that are hardy and easy to grow have made amaranth grain one of the most potentially important food sources in the recent decades. [3]
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 75.16 |
| Energy | 102 |
| Energy [kJ] | 429 |
| Protein [g] | 3.8 |
| Total lipid (fat) [g] | 1.58 |
| Ash [g] | 0.77 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 18.69 |
| Fiber, total dietary [g] | 2.1 |
| Starch [g] | 16.23 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 47 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 2.1 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 65 |
| Phosphorus, P [mg] | 148 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 135 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 6 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 0.86 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 0.15 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 0.85 |
| Selenium, Se [µg] | 5.5 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 0.02 |
| Riboflavin [mg] | 0.02 |
| Niacin [mg] | 0.24 |
| Vitamin B-6 [mg] | 0.11 |
| Folate, total [µg] | 22 |
| Folate, food [µg] | 22 |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] | 0.19 |
| Tocopherol, beta [mg] | 0.38 |
| Tocopherol, gamma [mg] | 0.05 |
| Tocopherol, delta [mg] | 0.24 |
| Tocotrienol, gamma [mg] | 0.02 |
| Sources include : USDA [4] | |
Amaranth Grain Nutrition Facts
Amaranth shouldn’t be eaten raw, as it contains certain toxic or undesirable components such as oxalates and nitrates that can be eliminated by boiling and proper preparation. However, there are also valuable antioxidant and phenolic compounds, as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can have significant effects on human health. As per USDA National Nutrient Database, amaranth grain is a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc, vitamins C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, vitamin A, and folate. [5]
Health Benefits of Amaranth Grain
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the health benefits of amaranth grain.
Optimizes Metabolism
One of the most desirable elements of amaranth grain is the fact that it features lysine in much larger quantities than other grains (some grains have none at all). Lysine is an essential amino protein for the human body, which makes amaranth a “complete protein”. This is very desirable for human health, as it delivers all the essential amino acids to create usable proteins within the body, thereby optimizing metabolism and ensuring proper growth and development. This is why amaranth grain represents a vital component of the diet for indigenous cultures and for those with limited access to diverse food sources. [6]
Prevents Heart Attacks
The phytosterols found in amaranth grain have been connected to lowering cholesterol levels, while the significant levels of dietary fiber also help balance the cholesterol levels in your cardiovascular system, thereby lowering your chances of developing atherosclerosis and subsequently heart attack or stroke, says a report published in the Food Chemistry Journal. The rich potassium levels found in amaranth grain further boost heart health by relaxing the blood vessels. Potassium is a vasodilator, which means that it reduces strain and tension in the arteries and blood vessels by lowering blood pressure and reducing the chances of coronary heart diseases. [7] [8]
Like many of its super-grain brothers and sisters, amaranth has been cultivated for thousands of years. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Improves Digestion
As mentioned above, amaranth grain contains a high level of dietary fiber, which can help optimize the digestive system and eliminate constipation, bloating, cramping, and serious conditions like gastric ulcers. Dietary fiber also helps increase nutrient uptake efficiency and with the high concentration of nutrients in the grain, this is a very important effect of dietary fiber. [9] [10]
Rich in Protein
Not only is amaranth grain a complete protein, but it also has much higher levels than other grains, even oats, which are commonly considered the best place to find plant-based protein. Plant proteins are easier for our body to digest and utilize than animal proteins, so shifting your overall protein balance to those derived from sources like amaranth grain makes your body run smoother and more efficiently in every way! [11]
Hair Care
The unique chemical makeup up amaranth grain has some rather unexpected benefits as well, including being a wonderful way to flatten wiry hair and increase luster and quality. Dr. Norlin J Benevenga, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, USA, in his report published in the Journal of Nutrition states that lysine is a critical amino acid that our body is unable to produce, so we must get it from our diet. Amaranth has higher levels of lysine than other grains, which makes it very important for hair health. Lysine has been linked to stronger and healthier hair, better roots, and a reduction in hair loss. You can reduce greying and hair loss by adding amaranth grains to your diet, although the exact pathway this benefit comes from is somewhat unclear. [12] [13]
Prevents Osteoporosis
Boasting more than twice the calcium content of milk, which is the traditional access point for high concentrations of calcium, amaranth grain can be a major factor in your bone health and bone mineral density. As calcium is an essential part of our bones, you can prevent or slow the onset of osteoporosis by adding this calcium-rich grain into your regular diet. [14]
Celiac Support
Like some other grains and grasses, amaranth grain is gluten-free, which is good news for those who suffer from Celiac disease. This prevalence of this disease has increased dramatically in recent years, partly explained by improved detection and testing techniques, but also due to a general change in our species’ dietary tolerances due to a wide range of environmental and dietary factors, says Dr. E.K Arendt, Department of Food and Nutritional Science, National University of Ireland, Ireland, in his report published in the Trends in Food Science & Technology Journal. In the coming years, the number of those suffering from Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is expected to increase, making gluten-free grains like amaranth increasingly important. [15] [16]
Boosts Immunity
Amaranth is a unique grain, in the sense that it has vitamin C, and this gives it an immune system-boosting edge over its dietary competitors. According to a report in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, with high levels of vitamin C, amaranth grain can boost your immune system, as vitamin C stimulates white blood cell production, and can contribute to faster healing and repair of cells, due to its functional role in the production of collagen. [17]
Weight Loss
Amaranth grain can effectively lower insulin levels in the body and simultaneously release a hormone that effectively tells our body that we’re full. This is the opposite of the “hunger” hormone, which often causes people to snack between meals, leading to weight gain. For those interested in losing weight in addition to gaining countless healthy effects, switching to amaranth grain might be your best bet! [18] [19]
Controls Diabetes
As mentioned in a report published in the Journal of Metabolic Diseases, amaranth grain has the ability to lower insulin levels and control blood sugar intake through appetite control/suppression. This is an ideal situation for those at risk for diabetes as elevated insulin levels and obesity is two of the causes or “red flags” for diabetes. [20]
Promotes Growth of Muscles
Acquiring protein in our diet is one of the most reliable ways to keep our bodies toned, developed, and functioning properly. A 2011 report published in the Food, Science and Technology Journal states that the unusually high levels of plant proteins in amaranth make it an ideal addition to your diet, especially if you want to ensure healthy growth of cells, muscles, tissues, and skin. [21]
Prevents Cataracts
The vitamin A found in amaranth has a major effect on the health of our ocular system. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that prevents the development of cataracts and can slow the onset of macular degeneration. [22]
Word of Caution: Amaranth grain has no known toxicity or dangers as a dietary supplement, but due to its ability to lower insulin levels for those who are hypoglycemic, this could be potentially dangerous, so care must be taken in such instances.
