Amaranth: The food of Gods

It’s usual nowadays to hear about Amaranth, although it has been considered a food with exceptional powers for more than five hundred years. It was the main source of proteins for incas , mayas and aztecs. Today Amaranth is one of the most rich and nutritious foods in Mexico. It’s considered one of the favorite products for athletes, astronauts, vegetarians and many women (in menstruation periods, pregnancy and osteoporosis) because it has twice the proteins of rice.

Properties

Amaranth, also known as Kiwincha, its a yellowish grain, thiner than rice and with a similar texture to couscous. It’s considered as a pseudo-cereal due to it’s properties and the way to cook it, really similar to cereals, although it is the high level of proteins (16%) and its lack of gluten what differences it of them.

It’s also characterized by:

• Low in fats – It’s a product used in many diets as an ingredient to make mayonnaise and light dressings.

• Contains essential amino acids – It has high levels of methionine and lysine, an amino acid that helps memory, intelligence and learning.

• Healthy source of carbohydrates – It provides energy without gaining weight. It’s a low fat product which contains zinc and iron. It’s very digestive so it’s also used as laxative due to it high levels of fiber.

• Vitamins and Minerals – It contains high levels of Vitamins A and C, silicon and magnesium, indispensable minerals to calcify calcium in bones.

Amaranth is an ally for natural medicine due to it’s curative properties for the body. It helps prevent and fight against some diseases.

• It helps prevents cancer of colon.
• Combats osteoporosis and anaemia.
• It’s ghighly recommended for diabetics and people with cholesterol problems because it helps stabilize the glucose levels and and blood fats.
• It’s desirable in obesity patients, arterial hypertension and constipation, due to high levels of fiber.
• Helps people who suffer liver diseases and kidney failure because it contains essential amino acids.
• Its consumption is recommended in people with autism.
• Has curative properties and its leaves are effective for diarrhea.

It is used both for salty and sweet cuisine. It can be found in natural stores as grains, infusions or as toast and cookies.

Haven’t you already incorporated amaranth in your diet? Don’t wait to include it as part of a healthy, balance and tasty diet!