Benefits and Disadvantages of Amaranth

Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants collectively known as amaranths. Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. Most of the Amaranthus species are summer annual weeds and are commonly referred to as pigweeds. That is why, through this article of Diet and Nutrition, you will be given information about the various physical benefits of Amaranth. Along with this, you will also be told about the benefits and disadvantages of Amaranth.

What is Amaranth ?

Amaranth is also known as Chaulai or Ramdana. These are small seeds, which flourish on the amaranth plant. When these seeds are ripe, the plants are cut and pulled out. Amaranth is easily available in grocery store or super market. Its scientific name is Amaranthus and it is known as Amaranth in English.

Health Benefits of Amaranth

There are many health benefits of Amaranth , whose information we are giving here in detail. However, at the same time it is also important to understand that Amaranth can only bring relief to these problems. The complete treatment of the problem depends on the doctor’s consultation.

1. Gluten-Free

Amaranth can be use as a gluten free diet. Gluten is found naturally in wheat, rye and barley . In some cases, its consumption can be harmful to health. According to scientific reports, the consumption of gluten can increase the risk of celiac disease. This is a disease of the small intestine. At the same time, Amaranth is free from gluten, which can work to protect against this disease . Amaranth plays an important role in celiac disease.

2. High source of protein

People do not know how many foods they resort to for protein. Amaranth can play an important role in this matter, as it is a good source of protein. Indeed, protein is needed to repair body cells and to make new cells. According to a study conducted by experts, Amaranth can be included as a great alternative to protein.

3. Helpful in Preventing Inflammation

The benefits of Amaranth can also be seen in fighting the problem of inflammation in the body. A scientific study has found about its anti-inflammatory properties, which can work to remove the problem of inflammation.

4. For bone health

Amaranth can be use to make bones strong. Actually, calcium is found in abundance in Amaranth and it must be known that how much calcium is necessary for the formation of bones and their development.

5. For Heart Health

Amaranth also has properties to maintain heart health. Actually, one of the reasons for heart risk is also the increase in the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Increased cholesterol in the blood can lead to many heart diseases, including heart attack. Here Amaranth can play an important role, as it can control blood cholesterol.

According to a scientific research, Amaranth oil can reduce the amount of total cholesterol, triglycerides fat in the blood, LDL bad cholesterol.

6. To reduce the risk of diabetes

Amaranth can also be consumed to avoid diabetes. A scientific study has shown that supplementation of betel nut and betel nut oil may work as antioxidant therapy, which may prove beneficial in controlling hyperglycemia high blood sugar and preventing the risk of diabetes.

In another scientific study, it has been observed that without enough insulin, excess glucose present in the blood can lead to typediabetes . At the same time, a mixture of Amaranth and Amaranth oil can significantly increase the amount of serum insulin.

7. In reducing the risk of cancer

The use of Amaranth can also prove beneficial to avoid the risk of cancer. Amaranth contains useful antioxidants, which can strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer.

In addition, vitamin-E is found in Amaranth . Vitamin-E can act as an antioxidant. It protects cells from free-radicals as well as may play an active role in preventing the risk of many types of cancer . At the same time, keep in mind that Amaranth is by no means a cure for cancer. Its use can be beneficial to some extent in the prevention of cancer. If someone is suffering from cancer, then it is necessary to get his medical treatment.

8. High Source of Lysine Amino Acid

Lysine is a type of amino acid and amino acid plays an important role in the supply of proteins in the body. The benefits of Amaranth can be seen here, as it is rich in lysine .

9. To increase immunity

Amaranth can also be seen to increase immunity. The amount of zinc is found in Amaranth , which can work to enhance the immune system . Apart from this, vitamin-A is also found in Amaranth and vitamin-A can boost immunity.

10. Increases Digestive Power

Keeping the digestive system healthy is very important for a healthy life. Here the benefits of amaranth can be seen, as it is rich in fiber . Fiber is an essential nutrient, which helps in improving digestion as well as getting rid of problems like constipation .

11. In controlling weight

Fiber can work to strengthen digestion as well as control weight. Actually, consuming fiber-rich food keeps the stomach full for a long time, which can control the habit of overeating.

12. For good eyesight

Consumption of amaranth can prove to be beneficial to keep the eyesight right. Vitamin-A is found in Amaranth . Vitamin-A is useful for eye health . Through its fulfillment, vision related problems with increasing age can also be reduced .

13. Beneficial for Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the mother needs a nutritious diet and amaranth can be included as an excellent nutrition during pregnancy. It can act as a fiber to avoid constipation in pregnancy, iron to keep the risk of anemia at bay, and calcium for bone health.

In addition, a sufficient amount of vitamin-C is necessary in pregnancy, which can be met through Amaranth . However, one must consult a doctor before consuming it in excess.

14. Beneficial for Hair and Skin

Amaranth can also be consumed for good health of hair and skin. We can consume Amaranth to make hair healthy, because the zinc present in it can be beneficial for the hair. Actually, consuming zinc can reduce itching in the head and stop hair loss.

Amaranth can also give beneficial results for better skin health, because the vitamin-C present in it is consider useful for the skin. Vitamin-C is an antioxidant, which can protect the skin from damage cause by UV radiation. Additionally, vitamin-C can help to remove acne and increase collagen in the skin.

Amaranth Nutritional Value      

You can know about the nutritional elements and their quantity present in Amaranth through the table given below:

 How to Use Amaranth

Amaranth can be use as follows-

• Amaranth pudding can be made and eaten. People who eat less sweet can eat it by making khichdi.
• After roasting in ghee, it can be boiled with milk and drunk.
• Roasted Amaranth can be eaten by making a bandage with sugar syrup.
• Amaranth laddus can be eaten by making.
• Gujiya can be made by using amaranth as semolina.
• Amaranth can also be use in making kheer.

When to use: The bandage of Amaranth can be use on the day of fasting. Apart from this, it can be eaten anytime during the day or at night.

How much to use: twenty to fifty grams of Amaranth will be taken once on a daily basis, withal, do consult a specialiser for the correct quantity of its intake.

Consume Amaranth in limit quantity, otherwise it can harm health, about which information is being given below.

 Side Effects of Amaranth

Some of the disadvantages of amaranth are as follows-

• Amaranth also contains potassium. Potassium is an important mineral in the body. It is very important to maintain the right balance of its level in the body. People who have high levels of potassium in their blood should avoid consuming it.
• Its high intake may increase the risk of kidney stones along with blood pressure.
• Consuming high amounts of fiber can lead to flatulence and abdominal cramps, as Amaranth also contains fiber.
• You have just read that Amaranth , which is mainly use in fasting, can also be include in our daily diet, you have also been given information about the advantages and disadvantages of amaranth. Therefore, you also need to pay attention to the above-mentioned precautions while consuming it.

frequently asked Questions

How different is Amaranth from Quinoa? Does it contain saponins like quinoa?

The health benefits of quinoa and Amaranth are almost the same. Saponins like Amaranth are also found in quinoa. Apart from this, it may also be useful in curing the problem of cancer and diabetes.

How does Amaranth develop?

The seeds of Amaranth are planted within the fields and once Amaranth becomes a plant, the seeds of Amaranth begin to seem in it, that ar separated from the plants once ripe.

How does Rajigiri taste?

Although Amaranth is tasteless, but you can feel a slight sweetness after chewing it.

Is there any good substitute for Amaranth ?

Yes, you can consume quinoa in place of Amaranth , because quinoa also has almost the same properties as Amaranth .

How to germinate Amaranth ?

To germinate Amaranth , first soak it in a vessel for overnight. After that, separate the Amaranth from the water in the morning and keep it wrapped in a cloth. Now splash water on this cloth at least 4-5 times throughout the day, so that the moisture remains in it. Now leave it like this again for the whole night. You can get it in sprouted form in a day or two.

What are the benefits of Amaranth flour?

Almost the same properties are depend in the flour of Amaranth , which are in Amaranth . Amaranth flour is rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin-C and fiber. In this, calcium is consider beneficial for bones, iron for blood, vitamin-C for skin and fiber for digestion.