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State of Knowledge on Amaranth Grain: A Comprehensive Review
Author(s) -
CaselatoSousa Valéria Maria,
AmayaFarfán Jaime
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02645.x
Subject(s) - amaranth , anemia , antioxidant , human health , health benefits , clinical practice , food science , immune system , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , environmental health , traditional medicine , immunology , biochemistry , family medicine
Amaranth grain is a highly nutritional pseudocereal with a superior amount of proteins when compared to true cereals. It is a reasonably well‐balanced food with functional properties that have been shown to provide medicinal benefits. The health benefits attributed include decreasing plasma cholesterol levels, stimulating the immune system, exerting an antitumor activity, reducing blood glucose levels and improving conditions of hypertension and anemia. In addition, it has been reported to possess anti‐allergic and antioxidant activities. The present article provides a comprehensive overview of amaranth grain that focuses on recent research reporting its use in the clinical practice and its possible benefits to human health.