Amaranth

Amaranth

Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth, is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants. 

Although several species are often considered weeds, people around the world value amaranths as leaf vegetables, cereals, and ornamental plants.

Cooking

Vegetable amaranth produces coleuslike green leaves overlaid with burgundy patches. Use the tender young leaves in salads and stir-fries and stew as you would to spinach. The leaves have a nutty, tangy flavor so are best mixed with other greens. The seeds are a favorite of nutrition-conscious cooks, especially vegetarians, who like its high protein and fiber content. 

Amaranth is one of the green leafy vegetable used by many Indian in their daily diet. It contains many vitamins minerals etc. It is the highly used green leafy vegetable after the spinach in India by Sambar, stirfry, poriyal ,Kootu, Amaranth leaves in Green Gram. It is widely available in India. Make use this Amaranth with yellow grams, red grams etc .Amaranth is available in many forms and with little variant.

Health Benefits of Amaranth

1. Amaranth is rich vitamin source food. It contains vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E and folic acid and vitamin C. These vitamins make it as popular green leafy vegetable in India.

2. It contains the many minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc etc. All this minerals are available in this.

3. Amaranth contains the proteins in higher level. It contains the proteins more than that of  oats, rice, wheat contains in them. Amaranth does not contain gulten many leafy vegetables contains this protein. It contains many aminco acids recommended for daily diet.

4. It contains the high fiber and essential amino acids .Both these are good to prevent the cancer .Fiber foods amaranth helps in control of cholesterol.

5. It is easily digestive food. It contains the fiber .Fiber is better digestible than the proteins and minerals and other. Boiled amaranth is highly used in many countries. It does not lose any vitamin, mineral, protein vales.

6. Amaranth contains vitamin C which is helpful in boost your immune system.

7. It boost your immunity that’s the reason its improves the disease prevention of the body by activating the white blood cells.

8. Amaranth helps the keeps your hair black. Its make your hair not to lose its original color quickly. It prevents to turn your hair becomes gray.

9. Amaranth contains the oxalic acid which is helpful in absorbing the minerals like zinc , calcium. Boiled amaranth is best for everyone. Over fried amaranth is not recommended.

Read More at Wikipedia.
Recipe for Amaranth.