Healthy properties of amaranth oil have long been known to people. It contains the antitumor substance squalene and a set of essential amino acids. A lot can be said about amaranth oil: benefits and harms for the human body, healing properties, calorie content, the content of vitamins and fatty acids.
Amaranth (shiritsa) is a widespread herbaceous annual plant with dense panicle inflorescences. The oil is obtained from small grains of dark brown color by cold pressing. The biologically valuable amaranth oil is 100% natural.
Its storage rules are simple: ambient temperature up to +25 ° , tightly closed container, lack of access to light and moisture. Amaranth oil, the benefits and harms of which have been well studied, will become unusable 30 days after the packaging is opened.
This plant also produces cereals and flour, butter, starch, and in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries lysine and squalene. Flour is added to confectionery and bread products. Amaranth can serve as a vitamin-protein component in dietary and vegetarian diets. In the daily diet, healthy oil is added to soups and casseroles, salads and omelets. Amaranth oil with a nutty flavor has a pleasant smell, it is fried and stewed products.
Amaranth oil: properties, composition
Amaranth leaves are rich in vitamin C, magnesium, proteins. As in corn, amaranth oil has a lot of linoleic acid (at least 50%). Vitamin E is in tocotrienol form. This rare form increases its antioxidant ability.
What does not contain amaranth oil! The benefits and harms (the first prevails) are due to its diverse composition. Up to 9% phospholipids, bile, arachidonic, linolenic, pantothenic, oleic and palmitoleic acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, thiamine and vitamin D, riboflavin and pyridoxine, niacin equivalent, choline, magnesium, calcium and iron. A large amount of oil contains potassium, phosphorus, copper. 100 g of amaranth oil have a calorie content of 736 kcal. Protein and carbohydrate in oil - 0 g, and fat - 81.8 g.
Squalene in the composition of amaranth oil
Squalene in significant quantities (from 0.2 to 1%) is found in elite varieties of olive and linseed oils, but amaranth is significantly ahead of them in the content of this substance (8%). Squalene is a source of the synthesis of steroids and triterpenes, takes part in the process of oxygen saturation of the body tissues, has antitumor and anticarcinogenic properties, and increases resistance to viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. Squalene is part of many dietary supplements and high-end cosmetics.
Indications and contraindications
The healing properties of such a product as amaranth oil, its benefits and harms, as well as contraindications for use, are described in detail in books on traditional medicine. Amaranth oil is recommended for cardiovascular diseases, colitis, stomach ulcers, viral hepatitis, anemia, oral diseases, obesity, infections, diabetes, and nervous disorders. Amaranth oil effectively helps in the treatment of burns, wounds, dry eczema and psoriasis.
Amaranth oil can bring harm only in very rare cases. Its use is contraindicated in bile and urolithiasis, acute and chronic cholecystitis, pancreatitis.
Amaranth oil is sold in pharmacies and online stores, but you can prepare it yourself.