Origin, composition and price of amaranth oil. Benefits and harms, methods of application for the face, body and hair. Real consumer reviews.
Amaranth oil is a cold-pressed seed oil of amaranth, an annual clove plant. Two species are used for its extraction - Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus. The oil is widely used in cooking and cosmetology and stands out among others for its unique composition.
Description and composition of amaranth oil
Amaranth is a herb, cultivated as an agricultural crop. Amaranth oil is extracted from seeds: each plant in its life can give up to 200 grams. The oil content in the raw material is slightly less than in other similar crops - 6-8% by weight.
The product is bright yellow, with a greenish tint, a slightly bitter odor and almost no taste. Due to its many beneficial properties and uses, amaranth oil is in particular demand in the United States and Southeast Asia. The most famous producing countries of amaranth oil are China, India, South Korea, France, Germany and the USA.
The energy value of 100 grams of amaranth oil is 878 kcal. Chemically, it can be thought of as a mixture of four fatty acids:
- Linoleic acid - 50% … An irreplaceable (not produced in the body, required in food) omega-6-unsaturated fatty acid involved in the formation of some neurotransmitters and blood coagulation components. Also included in cell membranes. Deficiency of this substance in the body leads to hair loss, flaking of the skin and complications of wound healing.
- Oleic acid - 23% … Omega-9 is an unsaturated fatty acid found in many oils and similar products, used as an emulsifier and moisturizer in some cosmetics and soaps. May lower blood pressure according to research.
- Palmitic acid - 19% … The most abundant saturated fatty acid found in living organisms. It is used in the food industry for imparting texture to fast food products, as well as in the production of soaps, cosmetics, detergents.
- Stearic acid - 3% … A saturated fatty acid mainly used in the cosmetics industry and also in the rubber industry.
The percentage of saturated and unsaturated fat in 100 grams of amaranth oil:
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids - 65-66% … Indispensable substances, the lack of which leads to thinning and damage of cell membranes, which can provoke many diseases - hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, thrombosis and tumors. The daily norm of polyunsaturated fatty acids for an adult is 5-11 grams.
- Monounsaturated fatty acids - 22-23% … Participate in the formation of lipids - an important component of biological membranes. In addition, they form the body's energy reserve. An adult's need for such acids is 10% of the calorie intake per day.
- Saturated fatty acids - 11-12% … Satisfy the energy needs of the body. An excess of saturated fat leads to higher cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
One of the remarkable properties of amaranth oil is its high content of squalene, a precursor of cholesterol, which is essential for normal metabolism. The product is rich in vitamins D, E.
It is best to buy amaranth oil directly from the manufacturer. The most famous are Nans Products, Nu-World Amaranth, Flavex. If you can't order directly, you can often find amaranth oil at a pharmacy or online store.
The price of amaranth oil varies depending on the outlet, but in any case, this product is relatively not cheap. A bottle of real amaranth oil will cost from 900 rubles. (350 UAH) for 100 ml. A 200 ml bottle, respectively, - 2000 rubles. (700-800 UAH).
On Amazon, the price will be about 50% higher: 100 ml of amaranth oil can be found in the range of $ 25-45, and the smallest bottle (15 ml) costs $ 18.
Useful properties of amaranth oil
In the photo amaranth oil
The benefits of amaranth oil in its antioxidant properties: it neutralizes the action of free radicals, promotes tissue renewal and regeneration, healing of scars, burns and ulcers. Can be used to combat acne.
Applied to the skin, amaranth oil softens it, helps to fight the manifestations of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and dry seborrhea.
Due to the increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, amaranth oil can replace more harmful saturated fats in the diet, reducing the risk of possible pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
The mineral composition of amaranth oil contributes to a healthy metabolism, normal cholesterol production, healthy heart and endocrine system functioning.
Impressions from the use of amaranth oil are rather positive or neutral. As a rule, the main complaint is the high price, which prevents it from being introduced into the diet on a regular basis. Often there are questions about the originality of the composition: when buying amaranth oil, it is very easy to stumble upon a fake. Some people don't like the specific taste or smell of the product. The cosmetic use of oils is almost always given the highest rating. So, what reviews amaranth oil evokes from its users:
Lyudmila, 43 years old
A couple of weeks ago, I accidentally dropped a pot of hot water on my leg. She received a 1st degree burn, terrible blisters on half legs. Gradually, it began to heal, but the new skin dried out very quickly and turned into crusts. I tried to moisturize with sea buckthorn oil to no avail - it only got worse, the wound began to itch and dry even more. Amaranth-based body oil was advised. I treated the wound 3 times a day - 2 times during the day and 1 time at night. The product is very quickly absorbed, almost does not stain clothes and other surfaces. Surprisingly, the result was visible after 4 days. The skin feels soft and almost healthy to the touch, the itching and discomfort are gone, and crusts are no longer formed. Dead areas are painlessly removed with a soft washcloth.
Andrey, 23 years old
For several years, acne on the face literally pursued. What I did not do - I almost burned all the skin, and the result was zero. Can you imagine what kind of complexes these are? Mother read somewhere and advised to take amaranth oil. At first I didn't even want to listen, I thought it was all nonsense, but then she bought it herself. What can I do, I tried it - how much it costs! Applied to the skin and took 1 teaspoon 2 times a day. After a couple of months, the acne didn't exactly go away, but it got much better for the first time in many years. It turned out interesting.
Victor, 35 years old
I spend almost 24 hours at the computer at work. Eyes are terribly tired. I sleep a little, I do not have time to recover. This is especially noticeable in winter. Recently, for prevention, I began to drink amaranth oil. It has become much easier for the eyes, they rest faster. I feel healthier. Sedentary work led to circulatory problems, but they are now also a little better. I stopped freezing so much.
How to use amaranth oil - watch the video:
