Amaranth Greens, Yet to be Fully Discovered as an Antioxidant Rich Food

Its many names, in different parts of the world:

• Bayam (in Indonesia and Malaysia)
• Kalunay (in Philippines)
• Chaulai/Chua/Harive/Cheera/Shravani Maath/Khada saga (its various names in different parts of India)
  
• Xiàncài/Yin Choy (plus a few other variation in different dialects, in China)
• Rau dền (in Vietnam)
• Bonongwe/Mchicha/Terere/Telele/Doodo (plus a few more variations, in Africa)
• Bhaji (in Trinidad)
•  Callaloo (in Jamaica)
• Koora thampala (in Sri Lanka)
• Vlita/Vleeta (in Greece)
  

Source : Wikipedia

We are strictly referring to the edible varieties only.

Amaranth Greens's Main Nutrients

• Antioxidant:    Vitamin (C,E,K), Carotenoids
  
• Other:               Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Vitamin (A,B,E,K), Protein, Carbohydrates, Folate, Phosphorus, Dietary Fiber, Water
  

Interesting stuff on Amaranth Greens

Native of:

• South America
  

Now Found\Grown in:

• South America, Asia, Africa, Europe
  

Not just the leaves are used or consumed, the seeds of edible variety of Amaranth can consumed as is or, made into flour.

Amaranth leaves' juice applied directly on hair, apparently can help to prevent pre-mature graying and help strengthen brittle hair.

Amaranth leaves were considered staple diets by the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas.

Edible Variety of Amaranth Greens

Yin Choy

Examples of Health Benefits of Amaranth Greens

• Promotes healthy digestion
• Reduces bad cholesterol - due to the tocotrienols of Vitamin E
  
• Stops hair loss and graying
• Helps with anemia - especially the red leaves variety
• Cancer fighter
• Reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Reduce risks of osteoporosis (calcium content is twice that of milk)
• Improves eye sight

Some precautions

• Contains high amounts of oxalic acid which inhibits absorption of calcium and zinc
• Must be avoided by individuals suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or kidney diseases
  
• Do not re-heat as the nitrates present in the leaves get converted to nitrites; particularly harmful for young children.