Amaranth contains a natural pigment called amaranth, which exists in cell vacuoles. The chloroplast in the cell is green, because of its high content, so the green color masks the red color, and the raw amaranth is dark green. As mentioned above, heat destroys cell membranes and cell walls, decomposes chloroplasts, and destroys the structure of chlorophyll, resulting in red exudation in vacuoles.
Amaranth is divided into white amaranth and red amaranth, which is rich in summer. When the plant has not hardened and formed buds, pull up the whole plant or cut it along the soil surface with a knife. Every 100g of tender stems and leaves contains about 90. 1.0g, protein 1.8g, carbohydrate 5.4g, calcium 180mg, phosphorus 46mg, carotene 1.95mg and vitamin C28mg. Fried food or soup. The whole plant can be used as medicine. Amaranth plants are distributed all over the world. There are 13 species of Amaranthus in China. A few cultivated species are mainly distributed in China and India. Amaranth has been cultivated in China since ancient times, and it was called "red amaranth" in Erya in the early Han Dynasty. Now it is cultivated all over the country. Amaranth roots are developed and widely distributed. The stem is 80 ~ 150 cm high and branched. Leaves alternate, entire, oval to lanceolate, smooth or shriveled, 4- 10 cm long and 2-7 cm wide, with green, yellow-green, purplish red or variegated colors. Flowers unisexual or heterozygous, spikes; Flowers small, perianth membranous, 3 pieces; There are 3 stamens, 2-3 pistils and stigmas, and the cells are oblong and dehiscent. The seeds are round, purple-black, shiny, and the 1000-grain weight is 0.7g.
nutritive value
Amaranth leaves are rich in calcium easily absorbed by human body, which can promote the growth of teeth and bones, maintain normal myocardial activity and prevent intramuscular spasm. At the same time, it is rich in iron, calcium and vitamin K, which can promote blood coagulation, increase hemoglobin content, improve oxygen carrying capacity and promote hematopoiesis.
Amaranth is also the protagonist on the diet table. Regular consumption can reduce weight, strengthen the body, promote detoxification and prevent constipation. At the same time, eating amaranth regularly can enhance physical fitness. Amaranth is rich in protein and fat. Sugar, a variety of vitamins and minerals, its protein is more fully absorbed by human body than milk, and its carotene is higher than eggplant, which can provide rich nutrition for human body, help to strengthen the body and improve the body's immunity, so it is called "longevity dish".
To promote the growth and development of children, the iron and calcium content of amaranth is better than that of spinach. More importantly, amaranth does not contain oxalic acid, and the calcium and iron contained in amaranth can be easily absorbed and utilized after entering the human body. Therefore, amaranth can promote children's growth and development, and has certain dietotherapy value for fracture healing.
At the same time, it is also suitable for women and the elderly, and can promote the growth of teeth and bones; Amaranth is also beneficial to maintain normal myocardial activity and promote blood coagulation. This is because it is rich in iron, can synthesize hemoglobin in red blood cells, and has the functions of hematopoiesis and oxygen carrying, so it is most suitable for anemia patients. Therefore, amaranth and purslane are often regarded as the best vegetables for fracture patients and pregnant women in labor.
The general population can eat it.
1. Suitable for the elderly, children, women and dieters. Eating amaranth in summer has a significant effect on clearing away heat and toxic materials, treating enteritis and dysentery, dry stool and red urine.
2. People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should not eat; People with cold stomach and diarrhea should not eat more.
Grams of food stage
Amaranth is forbidden to eat with soft-shelled turtle and nail fish.