10 Health Benefits of Amaranth
Amaranth is a species of perennial plant. It has been used for thousands of years by the tribes of Central America and Mexico. Both its leaves and its grains are used in cooking and it used to be a staple diet in some parts of the world.
Amaranth is used as a type of food, while its oil is sometimes used in medicine. It is packed full of important nutrients, hence why it was so important to ancient cultures.
Although it is not nearly as popular as it used to be, it has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. It is thought to have various properties that are beneficial to our overall well-being.
Amaranth Benefit #1: Healthy Skeleton
From a young age, we are often reminded just how important it is to have a healthy skeleton. It is important that it grows and develops as it should, and also that it remains strong and healthy for well into old age. Maintaining a healthy diet is the best way to achieve this.
Amaranth leaves are a good source of calcium, and it is well known that this mineral is very important for maintaining the health of our bones. Indeed, there are not many vegetables that have the calcium content that amaranth leaves do. Getting plenty of it in your diet can help encourage a healthy skeleton for many years to come.
Amaranth Benefit #2: Strong Muscles
Proteins are one of the building blocks of our bodies. They help to build our muscles and other tissues, helping to make sure that we are able to grow big and strong. They also help with repairs to our body, helping us to maintain our overall health. It is important that we get proteins in our body and amaranth is a good source of protein.
The proteins found in amaranth can be broken down into amino acids. These amino acids can then be used to create the types of proteins that are useful for our bodies. There are not many other grains available that have a protein content as high as amaranth does.
Amaranth Benefit #3: Gluten Free
Gluten, which is a type of protein, is a fairly common compound. It is found in wheat products, which in turn means that you will likely find gluten in bread, cakes, pastries, and pasta. For the vast majority of people, gluten is completely harmless but the same cannot be said for everybody.
Many people have an intolerance to gluten as they are unable to process the protein. This can result in some very uncomfortable symptoms, and the patient will need to keep well clear of protein. Fortunately, amaranth is gluten-free, making it a suitable food for people that are unable to eat gluten.
Amaranth Benefit #4: Prevents Hair Loss
Hair loss is a problem for many people as they get older, with some people beginning to lose their hair at a relatively young age. The vast majority of people that suffer from hair loss are men, although women do occasionally experience it. In some cases, it can lead to a considerable loss of self-esteem.
Many people believe that eating amaranth will help with hair loss, while it is also thought that applying juice from the leaves will also help prevent their hair from falling out. The benefits don’t stop there, either, as many people believe it can help to deal with hair that has turned gray and wiry.
Amaranth Benefit #5: Prevents Cancer
Cancer is an illness that is caused by damaged cells that are growing out of control. As a cancer grows in size, it begins to take over other parts of the body. This causes damage to the organs and other structures, and this will eventually result in fatality. Some types of cancer are treatable, but others are terminal.
We can’t completely protect ourselves from cancer, but we can at least reduce our chances of developing the disease. This largely means making certain lifestyle choices such as not smoking, while eating the right diet is also beneficial. Amaranth is a good source of antioxidants and this helps to prevent oxidation, which is a potential cause of cancer.
Amaranth Benefit #6: Helps with Arthritis
Arthritis is the blanket term given to conditions that affect the joints. There are different types of arthritis, and they all result in a swelling of the tissues of the joints. This can make it very difficult for the patient to move their joints and it can also be very painful for them.
Amaranth has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it can be useful in helping to manage the symptoms of arthritis. This can help to make life a lot more comfortable for a lot of people. Just bear in mind to follow medical advice; although amaranth can be used as a supplement without any problems.
Amaranth Benefit #7: Lowers Cholesterol
Anybody that has done even a little reading up on maintaining good health is likely to have read about cholesterol. Too much of it can be very bad for us, causing a considerable decrease in health overall. It is potentially damaging enough that it can pose a direct threat to our lives.
We have also learned that there are good and bad cholesterols. Studies have shown that including amaranth in the diet can help to reduce the levels of the bad cholesterols in our blood. This will help prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and also help to reduce our blood pressure to within safe levels.
Amaranth Benefit #8: Suppresses Appetite
A large appetite for food is one of the main reasons it can be so difficult to lose weight. Hunger is a very natural urge that is very difficult to resist, as it should be, because it encourages us to take on essential nutrition. When our appetite is too large, that’s when problems occur.
Amaranth is able to release a hormone that helps to reduce our appetite. It is also high in protein, and this will also be useful in helping people to lose weight. Considering the other health benefits that amaranth has to offer, it makes for a suitable addition to just about any weight loss diet.
Amaranth Benefit #9: Good Eyesight
It is quite common for people’s eyesight to begin to fail as they get older. It affects some people more than others, with some becoming effectively blind if their condition is not treated. Fortunately, however, treatments are usually available that help to maintain our sight for long into our old age.
A good, healthy diet can also be a benefit to our eyesight. Amaranth is a good source of antioxidants, and these can help to prevent the slow degeneration of the eyes. It can help to prevent problems like cataracts, helping to maintain excellent vision for many more years to come.
Amaranth Benefit #10: Improves Digestion
Our digestive system is very important to us. Not only does it help make sure we are nourished, but it also plays a significant part in keeping us safe from pathogens. If our digestive system was to fall ill, then the rest of our body would also fall ill shortly after.
Keeping the digestive system healthy involves eating the right type of food. This means food that will not harm the system, will nourish it, and help ensure that everything is running as smoothly as possible. One such food is amaranth because it is high in fiber content, which helps the digestive system to run smoothly.
