Since ancient times, various medicinal green vegetables have been used to treat various diseases. These vegetables are also used in Ayurvedic medicine. One such herb is green amaranth, which is rich in medicinal properties and is found in abundance in India as well as in Assam. This article describes the health benefits of green amaranth.
What is Green Amaranth?
Green amaranth is a nutritious vegetable plant that has many medicinal properties. It is probably of Asian origin but is in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, as well as widely penetrating temperate regions (e.g. Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia). They are plants in the Amaranthaceae family. Green amaranth is rich in different nutrients. The use of green amaranth helps in preventing many diseases.
Plant Description
Green amaranth is an annual herb with erect or occasionally ascending stems, 10-40 m long. Stems sparingly densely branched, channeled. Leaves triangular-ovate, 2-7 cm long, 1.5-5.5 cm wide, glabrous, apex is usually obtuse, 1-10 cm long petiolate. Flowers are green, faint. Both sexes mixed throughout the spikes, but female flowers are more numerous, bracts and bracteoles white, triangular-ovate to widely lanceolate membranous short, with pale or radish sheaths.
Scientific Classification of Green Amaranth/Amaranthus Viridis
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Caryophyllales
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Genus: Amaranthus
- Species: A.Viridis
- Scientific name: Amaranthus viridis
Nutritional value per 100 g Green amaranth/Amaranthus viridis
| Nutrients | Value |
| Energy | 96 kj |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Vitamin A IU | 2917 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.027 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.158 mg |
| Niacin | 0.658 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.064 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.192 mg |
| Folate | 85 mg |
| Vitamin C | 43.3 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg |
| Vitamin K | 1140 mg |
| Calcium | 215 mg |
| Copper | 0.162 mg |
| Iron | 2.32 mg |
| Magnesium | 55 mg |
| Manganese | 0.885 mg |
| Phosphorus | 50 mg |
| Potassium | 611 mg |
| Sodium | 20 mg |
| Zinc | 0.9 mg |
Benefits of Green Amaranth
1. Lower cholesterol
One of the major health benefits of green amaranth is its ability to lower your blood cholesterol levels. This herb contains tocotrienols, a type of vitamin E that helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body and prevents coronary heart disease.
2. Controls hypertension
Green amaranth leaves are rich in potassium and magnesium which are important for maintaining proper electrolyte balance in the body. The presence of fiber in these leaves in addition to other essential nutrients in a substantial diet helps in controlling and preventing high blood pressure.
3. Protects against cancer
Among other essential nutrients, green amaranth contains vitamin E, vitamin C and lysine antioxidant properties, which protect from cancer. Leaves of green amaranth fight against harmful free radicals and prevent the formation of harmful cells responsible for cancer. Here are some dietary habits that can help prevent cancer.
4. Good for diabetes
Studies have shown that the leaves of green amaranth exhibit anti-hyperglycemic activity and thus, lower blood sugar levels in patients with type-2 diabetes. (1) These leaves also lower your blood sugar levels such as obesity and other high-risk factors responsible for raising cholesterol.
5. Improve digestion
Green amaranth is an excellent source of dietary fiber. This is good for children and old people as it is delicious and nutritious, packed with various beneficial nutrients and also easily digested. These promote your digestive health and prevent constipation.
Read Also: Andrographis Paniculata – 7 Health Benefits, Uses, and Side-effects of Green Chiretta
6. Prevents anemia
Iron deficiency in the body causes anemia. The high content of iron in the leaves of green amaranth makes them the best food source to counteract the deficiency of this mineral in the body.
7. Eases skin problems
The leaves of green amaranth contain various essential health nutrients that exert anti-inflammatory measures against skin infections. These leaves act as a natural remedy for treating acne and other skin problems such as eczema.
8. Lowers risk of calcium deficiency
The leaves of green amaranth are rich in calcium and are taken to reduce the risk of health complications caused by calcium deficiency such as osteoporosis.
Read Also: Peppermint – 10 Health Benefits, Nutritional Value, Uses, and Side-effects
9. Relieves oral problems
The leaves of green amaranth act as an effective remedy to relieve many oral complications. The raw green amaranth has been used as a traditional medicine to treat sore throats, mouth ulcers and swollen gums. This is one such food that helps reduce bad breath.
10. Prevents hair loss
If you have hair loss and prematurely dry hair, eat green amaranth on a daily basis to get rid of your hair problems. These leaves act as a powerful natural remedy to prevent hair loss and strengthen your hair.
11. For bones
The high calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus and zinc content of green amaranth all supports bone health.
12. For eyes
They are high in vitamin A and are good for the eyes of both adults and children. The presence of lutein will help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Also, this is high in beta-carotene which is essential for eye health.
Read Also: Achyranthes Aspera – 15 Health Benefits, Uses, and Side-effects
13. Muscle and nervous systems
Good electrolyte balance in green amaranth helps in normal muscle and nervous system function.
14. Immune system
Green amaranth is a partial source of zinc which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Uses of Green Amaranth
Green amaranth is used in curries, salads, drinks, soups, etc. Different food items made from green amaranth are used in different ways to cure diseases.
Side effects of Green Amaranth
Although green amaranth has anti-inflammatory properties, they are also high in oxalic acid which is not good for people suffering from kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
To remove most of the oxalic acid, boil the leaves for 5-10 minutes and discard the cooking liquid, it has been shown to remove oxalic acid.
Therefore, considering the benefits and harms of green amaranth, it should be used in the right amount regularly as excessive use of any product can harm our health. Green amaranth should be used medicinally in the treatment of diseases and should be consulted by a doctor.
Conclusion
The information discussed in this article is about the health benefits of green amaranth. In this article, you will learn about the benefits and harms, uses, and other information of green amaranth. I hope the information mentioned in this article will be useful to you. Thank you!
FAQ
1. What is green amaranth good for?
Ans: The nutrients of green amaranth can provide important health benefits as part of a healthy diet. It is a source of vitamin C, which is important for the body’s healing process as it helps process iron, form blood vessels, repair muscle cells, and maintain collagen.
2. Is the vegetable poisonous?
Ans: Avoid eating too many raw vegetables from the farm. The leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic to livestock or humans, and kidney problems are consumed in high doses.
3. Are green amaranth good for the skin?
Ans: The leaves of green amaranth contain various essential health nutrients that exert anti-inflammatory measures against skin infections and help prevent skin problems.
4. Does the green amaranth have hair problem-solving properties?
Ans: The leaves of green amaranth act as a powerful natural remedy to prevent hair loss and strengthen your hair.
5. What is the scientific green amaranth?
Ans: The scientific green amaranth is Amaranthus Viridis.