Amaranth flour in cosmetics. The secret of ancient centenarians: amaranth flour and its uses. Flaxseed Mask

This bright and prominent plant is called both the cat's tail and the cockscomb. The most fabulous legends circulate about it: in them it is able to prolong the life of a person, it was forbidden for use by Peter I himself and was used instead of wheat for baking bread among the Aztecs. One way or another, it is reliably known that the Food Commission under the notorious UN recognized the amaranth plant as a culture of the 21st century for its medicinal and nutritional properties.

Useful properties of amaranth: its composition

The ancient Indians called amaranth "the golden grain of God": beneficial features this plant has been confirmed by scientific research in recent years. Of course, it will not make supermen, it will not extend life up to 300 years (namely, such abilities have been attributed to him for a long time). However, even without that, this unique flower can bring invaluable benefits due to its chemical composition.

1. It contains a lot of special protein of the highest quality, which is rich in lysine - the most valuable amino acid for the body. Because of this substance, in Japan, the nutritional value of a cock's scallop is compared to that of squid meat.

2. Not so long ago it turned out that amaranth is a source of squalene, which has no equal in counteracting cancerous tumors. In addition, this substance is a natural component of human skin, therefore its role in dermatology and cosmetology is simply invaluable: no inflammation, suppuration, wounds can resist it.

3. Tocopherols in its composition restore lipid metabolism, normalize the amount of cholesterol, fight free radicals.

4. Phytosterols help tocopherols to remove harmful cholesterol from the body.

5. Phospholipids are a building material for cells.

6. Retinol, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol (vitamin D), niacin, pantothenic acid, folate - all these vitamins are also found in amaranth, but in smaller quantities. Nevertheless, they also contribute to the benefit of this plant for the human body, ensuring the full functioning of cells.

7. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and other trace elements guarantee the normal course of all metabolic processes.

All this unique composition provides amaranth with its medicinal properties, for which he was so revered in ancient times and which are so appreciated by today's doctors and cosmetologists. It remains only to find out exactly how and in what cases to apply this extraordinary plant, which in translation from Greek means "unfading flower". But first, you need to find out about the other side of the coin: how safe is this flower for health?

Harmful properties of the plant: contraindications

The rich chemical composition of amaranth makes newcomers wary of it, who have never dealt with it before. In small doses, any form of its use (herbs, grains, flour, oil) will be absolutely harmless. If you set yourself the goal of regularly using it to heal your body, it would be nice to consult a specialist beforehand. It is unlikely that they will be allowed to use it in unlimited quantities for the following diseases:

individual intolerance;
pancreatitis;
cholecystitis;
cholelithiasis and urolithiasis.

In each of these cases, the squid (this is how this plant is called in many regions of Russia) can become a harmful component of your diet, cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases, and weaken the work of problem organs. Only in the absence of contraindications will amaranth be able to bring the benefits that are expected of it. What can you hope for?

Secrets of a cat's tail in traditional medicine

V folk medicine amaranth has long been used: the healing properties of this miracle plant are contained in literally all of its parts. You can eat fresh herbs (leaves) of food varieties, you can boil them. Amaranth flour made from grains is a most valuable and delicious product that easily replaces wheat in terms of nutritional properties. And from this flower they make unusually healthy oil, which is enriched to the maximum with the same squalene. All this can be eaten, because amaranth:

strengthens the immune system;
prevents the formation of tumors;
protects against radiation;
normalizes cholesterol;
treats skin diseases;
helps wounds to heal as soon as possible;
prevents peptic ulcer diseases;
facilitates the course of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis;
useful for diabetes;
restores disturbed metabolism;
normalizes the hormonal system;
promotes the rejuvenation of the whole body;
quickly and very effectively restores lost strength;
is a dietary product for autism and celiac disease.

Amaranth flour is considered especially valuable: the use of this product is due to the fact that it has excellent baking qualities. It can be used in the preparation of pastry and bakery products. If you add amaranth to homemade baked goods made from wheat flour, it will turn out lush, amaze everyone with an unusually pleasant, very delicate nutty taste and will not stale for a long time. But it will have an increased protein value. It is better to buy a finished product in a store and successfully and regularly use it to heal your body. It will also come in handy in homemade face masks.

An unfading flower that guards beauty and youth

Chopped fresh amaranth greens and flour from this plant (not to mention the rich oil so good for the skin) can also come in handy in beauty recipes for your face and hair. They contain a lot of antioxidants, vitamins, but most importantly - the same squalene, which restores damaged tissues and cells, making them alive and healthy again. Use this herb in masks and you will forget about brittle hair and fading skin.

Leaf mask for face

Grind amaranth greens, beat it (2 tablespoons) with sour cream (2 tablespoons). Perfectly tones tired skin.

Hair rinse from leaves

Dry the leaves, grind, pour (1 cup) boiling water (500 ml). Insist 3-4 hours, drain.

Rejuvenating flour face mask

Pour amaranth flour (1 tablespoon) with warm water so that a mushy mixture is obtained.

Such an amazing plant, amaranth, exists in 900 species - these are fodder, food, medicinal, and decorative forms. Some species share the properties of several of these forms at once, so that they are universal in application. Anyone who seeks to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, who wants to truly prolong their youth, should go beyond the borders of decorative amaranth and join its food varieties.

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Amaranth flour composition

It is truly unique and incomparable. Amaranth flour contains in large quantities:

essential and essential amino acids for the human body;
high power antioxidants;
a variety of important minerals.

None of the cereal crops familiar to us can compare with amaranth in terms of the content of the above components. Flour is obtained from the grains of this plant, which contain:

protein;
fats, including quite a lot of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids;
fiber in large quantities;
many vitamins - groups B, E, A, C, B;
elements such as phosphorus, magnesium, iron and many others;
phospholipids, squalene and other active substances that provide an excellent, incomparable therapeutic and prophylactic effect on the body.

note ... For example, lysine in grains is almost thirty times more than in wheat, traditional for our country. Lysine is a special amino acid that is characterized by the highest antiviral effect, ensures the development of the body, guarantees effective work of the heart muscle, rapid restoration of damaged tissues, etc.

Among other amino acids contained in amaranth flour, must be mentioned:

methionine - protecting the body from negative impact radiation, heavy metals;
tryptophan - provides a good mood, the release of serotinin, prevents the development of depressive conditions, the appearance of insomnia.

Squalene and vitamin E are also two important compounds that have incredibly strong antioxidant effects, anti-tumor properties, and more.

It is possible to list all the components, their descriptions for quite a long time, but in order for you to better understand the true benefits of amaranth flour, we will consider what diseases they can cope with.

After all, amaranth flour is not only a unique biologically active product, but also capable of providing a full preventive, strengthening and healing effect on the body.

In particular, it is able to fight inflammation, viruses, fungi, prevent the formation of tumors, ensure effective wound healing, stimulate and strengthen the immune system.

In addition, regular consumption of flour will allow you to:

get rid of toxins accumulated in the body;
neutralize radionuclides;
remove salts of heavy metals and prevent them from re-retaining in the body.

What diseases will amaranth flour help to get rid of?

There are a number of diseases that amaranth flour is incredibly effective against.

So, it is useful for various ailments of the digestive system , among which:

gastritis;
ulcer;
colitis;
constipation;
gastroduodenitis;
enterocolitis;
cirrhosis;
hepatitis;
etc.

Note. The presence of such constituents as methionine, choline and phospholipids helps to normalize bile secretion.

Amaranth flour can be indispensable for various ailments of the cardiovascular system , among which:

varicose veins;
atherosclerosis;
hypertension;
heart failure;
heart attack;
angina pectoris;
stroke;
various cardiac arrhythmias;
etc.

Amaranth flour will also help with anemia , which is caused by the high content of copper, lysine, iron in it; vitamins B2 and C.

Amaranth flour has been proven to help with oncological diseases. This is due to the presence in its composition of a huge amount of natural antioxidants that fight not only against negative formations in the body, but also increase immunity. Such substances - and this is squalene, a set of vitamins C, E, A - fight carcinogens, leading to the development of cancerous tumors. By the way, amaranth flour is recommended for those who have to undergo chemotherapy.

Treatment of genital ailments , both for men and representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Among the diseases subject to amaranth flour are the following:

hormonal imbalance;
ovarian cyst;
infertility;
inflammatory processes;
erosion of the uterus;
prostatitis and other ailments of the prostate gland;
fibroids, etc.

It will be useful amaranth flour and for skin diseases:

psoriasis;
demartites;
fungi;
ulcers;
burns;
bedsores, etc ..

Amaranth flour is also recommended in the case of other diseases, including insomnia, frequent headaches, various diseases of the oral cavity, eye ailments, inflammation, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, etc.

Amaranth flour for pregnant women

Separately, I would like to mention how useful amaranth flour will be for pregnant and lactating women. This is primarily due to the increased content of vitamin E, which makes flour extremely useful for ensuring the full development of the fetus in the womb.

Also, vitamin E will protect the fetus from mutations, other changes in development, possible radiation exposure, and the negative effects of toxins.

For nursing mothers, vitamin E will be beneficial in that it stimulates lactation, and also increases the organoleptic properties of milk.

How to use amaranth flour

There are many ways to use amaranth flour. For example, it is widely used in cooking baking, which turns out to be not only tasty, but also quite tender, fluffy.

Note. Amaranth flour is gluten-free, and therefore ideal for forming a daily diet for people diagnosed with celiac disease.

You can also add flour to various dishes - first of all, from a vegetarian or dietary menu. It is also added to ordinary dishes to increase their nutritional value - from traditional cereals to meat delicacies.

To increase the nutritional and taste properties of flour, it is recommended to heat it for at least ten minutes before use.

The daily rate (the most effective and recommended) ranges from two to four tablespoons.

Summarizing

As you can see, amaranth flour can be very beneficial. However, one must remember that before using it, it is imperative to consult a doctor. First of all, those who suffer from pancreatitis of various types, have stones in the gallbladder or kidneys, and suffer from cholecystitis.

And although there is only one contraindication for flour - individual intolerance, a consultation with a doctor will not be superfluous.

By the way, in some cases, in the early stages of flour consumption, manifestations of disorders such as dyspepsia, nausea or heartburn are possible.

This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not a guide to action.

A huge number of plants grow on the territory of our planet that can be consumed as food. Our ancestors actively used them in their daily diet, both by themselves and as one of the ingredients in the preparation of complex dishes. One of the most interesting plant crops that can be actively used for food, while bringing tremendous health benefits, is amaranth. So the main source of strength and useful elements of this plant is its seeds. On their basis, amaranth flour is prepared, which is distinguished by a mass of unique beneficial properties.

What is the value of amaranth flour? Product benefits

This product is characterized by significant nutritional value and has a unique biochemical composition. Which, first of all, consists in the presence in its composition of essential amino acids, the strongest antioxidants and a number of mineral elements. Amaranth grains are a source of sixteen percent of protein, which is one third of essential amino acids, as well as fifteen percent of fats, half of which is polyunsaturated fatty acid Omega 3. They are also rich in a number of B vitamins, tocopherol, provitamin A, ascorbic acid and vitamin D. Amaranth flour is also a good source of various minerals - iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, etc. It also contains other biologically active elements that determine its unique properties - squalene, phytosterols, and phospholipids and many others.

Amaranth flour is not only a unique biologically active food product, it also affects our body, as a general strengthening and healing agent. Experts say that such a product is able to stimulate the immune system, eliminate inflammatory lesions, cope with viruses, bacteria and fungi, in addition, it also has good antitumor activity.

Systematic consumption of amaranth flour remarkably cleanses our body of all sorts of toxins and toxins, removes radionuclides and heavy metal salts from it.

The composition of such a product contains a number of elements that can optimize the acidity of the digestive juice, as well as enhance the secretory properties of the intestines and stomach. Also, such flour has a wonderful anti-inflammatory, as well as wound-healing effect on the mucous tissues of the digestive tract, prevents the development of inflammatory lesions of the liver, as well as the gall bladder and biliary tract. Amaranth flour is characterized by a high content of choline, as well as phospholipids and methionine, all these elements optimize the process of bile separation and prevent the development of fatty liver infiltration. In addition, such a product contains a lot of fiber, thanks to which it perfectly prevents constipation, optimizes the composition of the microflora of the digestive tract, and also cleanses the stomach and intestines from various harmful particles.

Due to its unique composition, amaranth flour helps to remove "bad" cholesterol from the body, optimizes blood coagulation processes, has a positive effect on the elasticity of blood vessels and has a good vasodilator effect, which helps to cope with hypertension. The presence of a lot of potassium and phosphorus in its composition helps to optimize the activity of the heart muscle.

Such a food product stimulates the processes of hematopoiesis, and activates the production of hemoglobin, helping to cope with anemia. In addition, amaranth flour is able to stabilize blood sugar levels and improve fat metabolism.

Scientists have found that such flour saturates the body with a number of powerful antioxidants that effectively neutralize free radicals and neutralize carcinogens. Due to these properties, this product is able to prevent the development of oncological formations of the skin, breast, digestive tract, etc.

Systematic consumption of amaranth flour optimizes hormonal balance, which helps to cope with various ailments of the female and male genital area. So this product will be especially useful for impotence, infertility, all kinds of gynecological ailments.

Among other things, this substance contains a number of biological components that have a positive effect on the condition of the skin and even help to cure various ailments of this kind - fungal, viral, inflammatory, bacterial and traumatic.

The systematic consumption of amaranth flour will benefit those people who suffer from frequent headaches, insomnia, and also ailments of the nervous system. It should also be included in your diet for those who are prone to ailments of the kidneys and other organs of the urinary system, and ailments of the oral cavity. Also, this food product will be beneficial for hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, problems with bones and joints, and visual impairment. It is highly recommended for children, as well as for women who are breastfeeding and expecting a baby.

To whom is amaranth flour dangerous? Product harm

It is worth considering that amaranth flour in rare cases causes allergies. In addition, with extreme caution, it should be consumed with pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis or kidney stones. Eating such a product can sometimes cause minor dyspeptic symptoms - nausea, heartburn, loose stools.

If earlier our knowledge about the types of flour was limited to wheat, at best, and buckwheat, today the range has expanded greatly. Particular attention was paid to amaranth flour, which does not contain gluten, and also has a unique set of useful and harmful properties.

The protein-rich amaranth flour is gluten-free. And if in Europe they learned about it quite recently, then in America of the pre-Columbian period it was eaten by the Incas and Aztecs.

The product is obtained by grinding amaranth seeds. Flour has a characteristic dark yellow color. A very important point that we will focus on here: it is rich in amino acids (lysine and methionine). And this despite the fact that lysine is very rarely found in plant foods.

Nutritional value

A distinctive feature is the high quality protein, the concentration of which is approximately 17% of the dry weight. Only 150 grams of crushed amaranth grains can provide 150% of the average recommended daily protein intake for an adult.

The product is also rich in lysine, which helps in the absorption of calcium from food. There is also quite a lot of calcium in such flour: 2 times more than in cow's milk... Compared to wheat flour, amaranth contains 5 times more iron and 3 times more fiber.

Other important components are worth noting, such as fatty acids and tocotrientol (the most active form of vitamin E), potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A and C.

Beneficial features

The unique composition of amaranth flour makes it a valuable nutritious product with a large supply of beneficial properties. But a few of them require a detailed excursion.

If you are hypersensitive to gluten

If you are experiencing allergic reactions to foods that contain gluten, amaranth seed flour can help minimize the hassle. Its distinctive feature is an extremely low gluten content, which cannot be said about products from wheat and some other grains.

Susan O'Brien, author of Gluten and Sugar Free Cooking, recommends using pure amaranth flour for thickening sauces and breading. For baking, she suggests making a mixture of different types of gluten-free flours (for example, quinoa and brown rice) with the addition of 25% amaranth flour.

Antioxidant properties

A team of Brazilian researchers focused their efforts on evaluating the antioxidant properties of seeds from the Amaranthus hypochondriacus plant. It is the main species used for the production of amaranth flour.

Testing revealed high levels of natural phenols and demonstrated increased antioxidant activity of amaranth seed extract in the protection of laboratory rat liver from ethanol damage.

Scientists are confident that the amaranth product will act in a similar way in the human body. In the long term, this should help in the treatment and prevention of liver disease in alcoholics.

Cancer prevention

The peptide linazine and squalene in amaranth have powerful anti-cancer properties. Squalene, in addition to preventing the development of tumors, is also a chemoprotector (protects healthy cells of the body from the destructive effects of chemotherapy).

Treating anemia

The easily predictable beneficial property of amaranth flour due to its high iron content is the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

For gastrointestinal disorders

The product contains 8-20% dietary fiber, which will help in the treatment of digestive tract disorders. In addition, the presence of vitamins A and E is beneficial for the mucous membranes of the intestines, stomach and esophagus.

Slimming

The high amount of protein and fiber in amaranth flour reduces the calorie content of the food you eat. Phytonutrients and fiber prevent the body from absorbing excess cholesterol along with fatty foods.

The inclusion of amaranth flour in the diet will not help you lose weight quickly, but it will be a good help in the long-term struggle with excess weight.

Normalizes sugar

Research data on the beneficial properties of amaranth and amaranth flour related to blood sugar regulation are rather contradictory. Some scientific reports suggest that such foods lower blood sugar and protect against insulin deficiency, while others point to the high glycemic index (GI) of amaranth seeds.

So far, three scientific trials prove the positive role of this product:

Wheat flour fortified with amaranth helped lower blood glucose levels in volunteers.
Amaranth seeds also correct high blood sugar levels, therefore they are good for the prevention of diabetes.
Amaranth supplements improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats.

Fights allergies

Japanese scientists drew attention to the ability of amaranth seed extract and other products based on them to fight allergies. In the presence of allergic diseases, it shows a quick immune response.

Harmful properties and contraindications

Nutritionists caution against eating raw flour as it can interfere with the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, be sure to expose the product heat treatment before use!

Amaranth products sometimes contain traces of toxic oxalates and nitrates, but during the preparation process, their harmful effects can be neutralized.

Since amaranth flour contains a small amount of oxalic acid, it is contraindicated for those suffering from kidney disease.

Key beneficial properties of amaranth flour: increase immunity, normalize blood sugar and blood pressure. That is why it is not recommended to eat this product in conjunction with taking medications of a similar effect.

Cooking applications

In addition to the actual flour, which can be used to make bread, crackers, pancakes, cookies and other bakery, cereals, pilaf, gravy and thick sauces, cereals for muesli and pasta are produced from refined grains. You can already buy them in health food stores today.

Storage

Video: how to make flour at home

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