Amaranth Greens.
Amaranth greens is a nutritious edible leafy vegetable that is simply called ''green'' in Nigeria, it is present in several dishes in our indigenous (Nigerian) delicacies.
They are used for soups, stews, stir-fries, side dishes, curries, salads and drinks.
Amaranth greens has 60-70 species, they are cultivated for their leaves, seeds and as ornamental plants, widely used for traditional medicine due to its numerous herbal benefits.
They are cheap, prolific and resilient, available all year round.
The numerous health benefits of Amaranth greens are as follows-
*Aids digestion and helps prevent constipation.
*It is used for dental care, ie as a mouthwash and in the treatment of sore throat, mouth ulcers and swollen gum.
*Prevents hair loss and premature greying.
*It has high calcium content.
*It helps prevent anaemia because they are high in iron, Vitamins A, B6 and folate.
*It is a remedy for skin allergies, acne, eczema and general skin health.
*It's a good source of Folic acid which is essential during pregnancy for the well-being of the mother and baby, Folic acid is also necessary for the growth and prevention of birth defects in babies.
*It helps in lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, the protein also helps control insulin level in the blood.
*It doesn't contain cholesterol but phytosterol, helps prevent coronary heart disease.
*It helps prevent hypertension.
*It aids normal muscle and nervous system function.
*Its high in beta-carotene which is essential for eye health.
*Its a good source of zinc which is essential for healthy immune system.
*It is gluten-free and aids in weight loss.
NOTE-- Amaranth greens is high in oxalic acid which is not good for people suffering from kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Have you had some ''greens'' lately?
Eat healthy, stay safe.
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