Background
- Amaranth is grown in Asia and the Americas and harvested primarily for its grain, which is used as a food source for bread, pasta, and infant food.
- Amaranth oil has been shown to decrease cholesterol and lipid levels when taken with a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet. However, other studies have shown that amaranth in conjunction with a low-fat diet has no effect on cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol. Early research has also shown that amaranth oil may lower blood sugar.
- There is not enough scientific evidence of an effect of amaranth for any indication. High-quality research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Chaturvedi A, Sarojini G, Nirmala G, et al. Glycemic index of grain amaranth, wheat and rice in NIDDM subjects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1997;50(2):171-178.
View Abstract - Berger A, Gremaud G, Baumgartner M, et al. Cholesterol-lowering properties of amaranth grain and oil in hamsters. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2003;73(1):39-47.
View Abstract - Carlson BC, Jansson AM, Larsson A, et al. The endogenous adjuvant squalene can induce a chronic T-cell-mediated arthritis in rats. Am J Pathol. 2000;156(6):2057-2065.
View Abstract - Culpepper S, Grey T, Vencill W, et al. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) confirmed in Georgia. Weed Science 2008;620-626.
- Gonor KV, Pogozheva AV, Kulakova SN, et al. [The influence of diet with including amaranth oil on lipid metabolism in patients with ischemic heart disease and hyperlipoproteidemia]. Vopr Pitan. 2006;75(3):17-21.
View Abstract - Haskell MJ, Pandey P, Graham JM, et al. Recovery from impaired dark adaptation in nightblind pregnant Nepali women who receive small daily doses of vitamin A as amaranth leaves, carrots, goat liver, vitamin A-fortified rice, or retinyl palmitate. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;81(2):461-471.
View Abstract - Kim HK, Kim MJ, Cho HY, et al. Antioxidative and anti-diabetic effects of amaranth (Amaranthus esculantus) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Cell Biochem Funct. 2006;24(3):195-199.
View Abstract - Kim HK, Kim MJ, Shin DH. Improvement of lipid profile by amaranth (Amaranthus esculantus) supplementation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(3):277-281.
View Abstract - Maier S, Turner N, Lupton J. Serum Lipids in Hypercholesterolemic men and women consuming oat bran and amaranth products. Cereal Chemistry 2000;77(3):297-302.
- Martirosyan DM, Miroshnichenko LA, Kulakova SN, et al. Amaranth oil application for coronary heart disease and hypertension. Lipids Health Dis. 2007;6:1.
View Abstract - Negi PS, Roy SK. Changes in beta-carotene and ascorbic acid content of fresh amaranth and fenugreek leaves during storage by low cost technique. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2003;58(3):225-230.
View Abstract - Punita A, Chaturvedi A. Effect of feeding crude red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) and grain amaranth (Amaranthus paniculatus) to hens on total lipids, cholesterol, PUFA levels and acceptability of eggs. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2000;55(2):147-157.
View Abstract - Reyes FG, Valim MF, Vercesi AE. Effect of organic synthetic food colours on mitochondrial respiration. Food Addit Contam 1996;13(1):5-11.
View Abstract - Shin DH, Heo HJ, Lee YJ, et al. Amaranth squalene reduces serum and liver lipid levels in rats fed a cholesterol diet. Br J Biomed Sci. 2004;61(1):11-14.
View Abstract - Shukla S, Bhargava A, Chatterjee A, et al. Mineral profile and variability in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor). Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2006;61(1):23-28.
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