Amaranth is a nutritious grain that has gained attention for its health benefits. Amaranth has been used in traditional medicines around the world for various purposes, including treating digestive disorders, inflammation, and skin conditions.
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| Amaranth Grain Flowering |
What is Amaranth?
It typically has broad, green leaves and vibrant-colored flowers. There are various species of amaranth, but the most commonly cultivated for food are Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, and Amaranthus caudatus. Amaranth grows in warm climates and is native to the Americas but is now cultivated worldwide.
Amaranth’s Nutritional Power
Amaranth is often called a pseudocereal, because it does not contain gluten proteins. This means it is suitable for those who are sensitive or allergic to gluten, including those with celiac disease.
Amaranth is rich in protein, containing all the essential amino acids, making it a valuable plant-based protein source. Its protein content can be as high as 21.5 percent from some studies. It is notably high in lysine and tryptphan along with other essential amino acids.
Amaranth is also a significant source of unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids.
It also provides dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to overall health and well-being.
The primary compounds in amaranth include protein, fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and folate), and antioxidants (such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids). It also contains significant potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Amaranth also contains a range of tocopherols, including alpha, beta and gamma versions. Amaranth is also a rich source of tocotrienols and squalene compounds.
In addition, amaranth contains flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, and kaempferol, and phenolic acids like coumaric acid and hydroxybenzoic acid.
A number of healthy sterols are also found in amaranth, including clerosterol, sitosterol, avenasterol, and stigmasterol.
Use in Traditional Medicine
Amaranth was cultivated well over a thousand years ago by pre-Columbian peoples of the Americas. This includes the Aztecs, who used amaranth as a primary food as well as in their rituals
In traditional Mexican medicine, amaranth has been used to alleviate diarrhea and reduce inflammation.
Other indigenous people have been consuming amaranth, primarily consuming the entire plant, including the leaves and roots.
Health Benefits of Amaranth
Heart Health
The high fiber content of amaranth may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Its antioxidant properties also play a role in protecting heart health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Blood Sugar Control
Amaranth has a low glycemic index, meaning it does not cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This property makes it suitable for individuals with diabetes or those aiming to manage blood sugar levels.
Digestive Health
The fiber content in amaranth supports digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. It also aids in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.
Bone Health
Amaranth is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, essential minerals for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
Scientific Research on Amaranth
A 2019 study from the Faculty of Medicine at the Charles University and General Faculty Hospital in Prague analyzed 33 studies that tested amaranth. The research found that amaranth appears to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad form) in both humans and animals. This effect has been especially found with amaranth oil.
The research concluded that amaranth had effects that were “antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antioxidant.”
A 2025 study from the Agrotechnical Research University in Kazakhstan confirmed some of these findings. They found the gain to have significant antioxidant capacity. They also found that compounds in amaranth had the potential to reduce blood pressure.
They found the grain to be rich in fiber, and its lysine content about double amounts in other grains. In their analysis of various studies, the researchers found evidence that amaranth had positive effects upon inflammatory illnesses, high blood pressure, candida, diabetes, and oxidative stress. They also found amaranth exhibited anticancer properties.
They concluded:
“Certain amaranth peptides are considered promising functional food ingredients for the prevention and comprehensive treatment of conditions such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.”
Researchers from Uganda’s Kampala International University found that amaranth grains had significant antioxidant capacity.
A 2015 study from India’s Kampala International University studied 16 healthy people. They found that amaranth extract significantly boosted nitric oxic levels in the body. Those higher levels were maintained for at least eight hours after the extract was consumed.
Amaranth Scientific References
Chmelík Z, Šnejdrlová M, Vrablík M. Amaranth as a potential dietary adjunct of lifestyle modification to improve cardiovascular risk profile. Nutr Res. 2019 Dec;72:36-45. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.09.006.
Toimbayeva D, Saduakhasova S, Kamanova S, Kiykbay A, Tazhina S, Temirova I, Muratkhan M, Shaimenova B, Murat L, Khamitova D, Ospankulova G. Prospects for the Use of Amaranth Grain in the Production of Functional and Specialized Food Products. Foods. 2025 May 1;14(9):1603. doi: 10.3390/foods14091603.
Martirosyan DM, Miroshnichenko LA, Kulakova SN, Pogojeva AV, Zoloedov VI. Amaranth oil application for coronary heart disease and hypertension. Lipids Health Dis. 2007 Jan 5;6:1. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-6-1.
Subramanian D, Gupta S. Pharmacokinetic study of amaranth extract in healthy humans: A randomized trial. Nutrition. 2016 Jul-Aug;32(7-8):748-53. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2015.12.041.
Johnmark N, Kinyi HW. Amaranth leaf extract protects against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. BMC Res Notes. 2021 May 17;14(1):188. doi: 10.1186/s13104-021-05603-x.
Zhu F. Structures, physicochemical properties, and applications of amaranth starch. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Jan 22;57(2):313-325. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2013.862784.
Cai Y, Sun M, Corke H. Antioxidant activity of betalains from plants of the amaranthaceae. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Apr 9;51(8):2288-94. doi: 10.1021/jf030045u.
Mota C, Santos M, Mauro R, Samman N, Matos AS, Torres D, Castanheira I. Protein content and amino acids profile of pseudocereals. Food Chem. 2016 Feb 15;193:55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.043.
Baraniak J, Kania-Dobrowolska M. The Dual Nature of Amaranth-Functional Food and Potential Medicine. Foods. 2022 Feb 21;11(4):618. doi: 10.3390/foods11040618.