Discover an Aztec secret to vitality and longevity!
Over time, and with the help of scientific advancement, we have been able to discover the great potential hidden in many foods coming from all around the world. These discoveries have made diverse foods like quinoa, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and many others to become quite popular among foodies worldwide. Curiously, there is one particular supergrain that is not so common on the shelves of most supermarkets despite its impressive nutritional profile and versatility: the amaranth.
The oldest archeological remains trace amaranth domestication origins to Mexico. The grain was carefully developed by ancient civilizations, principally Aztecs and Mayans.
But… How important was amaranth for these main cultures?
Today, it is widely reported that amaranth represented up to 80% of their energy consumption. It was especially used for energetic activities like harvesting, fighting, running or walking very long distances.
Experts agree that the nutrient rich food combination that is characteristic of these cultures was the basis of obtaining vitality and longevity. For this reason, we know that amaranth was one of their most precious treasures.
This ancestral relative to the quinoa and the chia seed has been object of recent scientific research. Findings cited countless benefits, among them:
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High quality protein due to its unique balance of amino acids: it is especially rich in lysine, an amino acid absent in the protein of many other grains.
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Rich in calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, folic acid, magnesium, fiber, antioxidants and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C.
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Contributes to control blood glucose levels.
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Helps in lowering cholesterol levels (rich in niacin).
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Helps lower blood pressure.
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Fights anemia and malnutrition by providing an abundance iron, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
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Its content of sodium, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium, and iron help in the functioning of the central nervous system.
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Amaranth grain contains squalene, one of the best natural organic antioxidant compounds for circulatory, intestinal, and skin health, and to combat wrinkles. There are few vegetables that squalene can be obtained from; it is usually extracted from shark liver oil.
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Gluten-free grain
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Its processing is simpler than most grains. To cook it, it is boiled or popped on contact with a dry and hot surface. Other grains require additional steps. For example, quinoa has to go through an industrial process to remove saponin, a toxic substance for human consumption.
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Amaranth is a healthy food that can be consumed by people of all ages and of different medical conditions.