Amaranth Seed: Origin, Nutritional Facts & Tremendous Benefits

Have you ever heard about a super beneficial seed, which is often mistaken for a grain? Yes, we are talking about Amaranth, the superfood! Here’s a brief story about its origin.

Origin of Amaranth:

• Amaranth was once considered a staple food for the people living in the ancient Aztec, Inca and Maya civilizations. Apart from providing various nutritional benefits, it has also been used as part of religious ceremonies.

• In India, our ancestors cultivated Amaranth to reap its nutritional values as long as 8,000 years ago. Here, it is popularly known as Rajgira (Royal grain) or Ramdana (God’s grain). The farming community considered it a ‘divine gift of the gods’ and hence the name was given.

• One of the main reason of its popularity in India as it has become an important part in Hindu fasting rituals. During festivals like Navarathri or Ganesh Chaturthi, fasting is an integral part of Hindu rituals. Amaranth seed serves as a very good as well as a delicious alternative for any form of grain.

Nutritional Facts:

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), only a half-cup serving (123g) of cooked amaranth contains around:

• 125.5 Calories

• 2.6 g Fiber

• 23 g Carbohydrates

• 1.9 g Fat

• 20 g Starch

• 7 mg Sodium

• 4.7 g Protein

In addition to that, it also an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, manganese and phosphorus and a good source of other nutrients including magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium.

7 Tremendous Benefits:

Even though Amaranth has gained popularity very recently as a healthy food, but this super grain was an essential part of diet of ancient people around the world. Let us have a look at some of the health benefits of Amaranth Seed:

1. High in Antioxidants:

As we all know that the human body contains harmful free radicals. Antioxidants plays an important role help in protecting the body against these free radicals. Amaranth Seed carries high quantities of phenolic acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and gallic acid that helps in protecting you against many degenerative diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. 

2. Rich source of vitamins and minerals:

Only one cup of uncooked Amaranth Seed contains 31 percent of the required dosage for calcium, 14 percent for vitamin C, and a heart-pumping 82 percent for iron.

3. Reduces Cholesterol Levels:

Cholesterol, which, if found too much in the blood, can narrow down the arteries. As per studies, Amaranth Seeds might have some cholesterol- reducing properties. Recent survey showed that the oil of Amaranth had lessened the LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol by 22% and 15%, respectively.

4. Weight loss supplement:

Being a rich source of proteins and fibres, when taken moderately, amaranth seeds help you to feel energize and satisfied for a long time and also helps in maintaining muscle mass for a healthy metabolism.

5. Prevents anemia:

Amaranth seed filled with an excellent source of iron, plays a vital role in generating RBC’s and is also required for cellular metabolism. When these seeds are taken alongside a good vitamin source, it provides absorption of iron which actively helps in treating anemia.

6. Reduces inflammation:

Multiple studies have presented that Amaranth seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. As per study, it was found that these seeds have helped in reducing numerous markers of inflammation and also helped in inhibiting immunoglobulin E production, an antibody that causes allergic inflammation.

7. Prevents You from Allergies:

As these seeds are gluten-free, they are highly beneficial and can be included in your diet if you have celiac disease or a non-celiac sensitivity to gluten. It protects you from many infectious diseases by boosting immunity naturally.

Amaranth seeds are highly beneficial for your health as it includes a wide range of nutrients in it. So, try to include this well- balanced food in your daily diet!