AMARANTH The edible amaranth A tricolor L or

AMARANTH The edible amaranth (A. tricolor L or A. viridis L) is an annual leafy vegetables belonging to the amaranthaceae or amaranth family. Chinese Spinach , Kulitis, Uray, Pigweed

AMARANTH • One of the most delicious vegetables • Good crops for greens specially during the month of summer where other vegetables are hard to grow • Used in stews, sinigang, beverages and other dishes as spinach • Used as pot herbs • Recommended as a good food with medicinal properties for: üyoung children ülactating mothers and üfor patients with §Fever §Hemorrhage §Anemia §kidney complaints. Chinese Spinach , Kulitis, Uray, Pigweed

AMARANTH Nutritional Values 100 gms edible portion Nutrients Raw Boiled Moisture (%) 84. 4 83. 9 Food energy (cal. ) 47. 0 27 Protein (g) 4. 6 4. 4 Fiber (g) 1. 1 - Total Carbohydrates (g) 7. 4 4. 4 Ash (g) 2. 5 - Calcium (mg) 341. 0 314 Phosphorus (mg) 76. 0 62 Iron (mg) 18. 0 - Sodium (mg) 51. 0 - Potassium (mg) 443. 0 - Vit. A (I. U. ) 12, 860 12, 345 Thiamine (mg) 0. 01 Riboflavin (mg) 0. 37 0. 33 Niacin (mg) 1. 80 1. 70 Ascorbic acid (mg) 120. 00 109. 00 Age/Sex Calcium Requirement (mg/day) Infant and children depending on age 1 -10 800 Young Adults 11 -24 1, 200 Men & Women over 50 1, 500 Breast-feeding women 1, 400 1994 the US recommendations REFERENCE : http: //www. bpi. da. gov. ph/Publications/productionguides/amaranth. htm

$AMARANTH Importance of CALCIUM • Osteoporosis is the major cause of bone fractures in$

AMARANTH Importance of CALCIUM • Osteoporosis is the major cause of bone fractures in the elderly. • It is better prevented than treated and prevention includes an adequate intake of calcium throughout life, but especially in childhood and young adulthood • Diets high in protein and in salt (sodium chloride) also increase calcium loss from the body and may have an effect on osteoporosis. • Post-menopausal women are more prone to osteoporosis because they produce less estrogen, which protects the skeleton in younger women. Chinese Spinach , Kulitis, Uray, Pigweed