Annatto Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Sep 11, 2020
Annatto is beneficial for the high antioxidant property, for ocular and mascular treatments and also digestive and kidney treatments. It also helps to cure wounds and gonorhea and cancer.You can use annatto seeds, powder, and its leaf for skin care, diabetes issues, and hair problems.
Annatto
Annatto is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana). It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods, but sometimes also for its flavor and aroma. The color of annatto comes from various carotenoid pigments, mainly bixin and norbixin, found in the reddish waxy coating of the seeds.
Nutritional Value of Annatto
Annatto contains amino acids, calcium, iron and phosphorus, as well as vitamins B-2 and B-3. They also contains beta-carotene and vitamin C, which are both potent antioxidants that help to prevent free-radical induced damage to cells and DNA.
In addition, annatto contains the phytochemicals cyanidin, ellagic acid, salicylic acid, saponins and tannins. Phytochemicals are naturally found compounds in plants that help to prevent and treat disease in humans.
Nutritional facts Per 5 Tbsp
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Annatto
Mentioned below are the best health benefits of using annatto seed powder. It contains important minerals good for skin care and treatment. Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of annatto powder help in skin irritation. People suffering from diabetes can add this seed in their diet as it contains a high content of tocotrienol, a form of vitamin E. We also discuss some side effects of annatto seed for in different health conditions.
Annatto Antioxidant Properties
Annatto seeds are high in antioxidant compounds. It is particularly high in antioxidants that benefit skin health, which is one of the reasons it is often added to cosmetic products. Annatto powder paste applied to the skin helps fight wrinkles, sun damage and other signs of aging, while consuming the seeds provides similar benefits from the inside out.
Annatto Seeds Prevent Poor Eyesights
Carotenoids benefit eye health and prevent degenerative eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts. This greater carotenoid substance in Annatto seeds will act as antioxidants in ocular system and prevent the growth of cataracts. Greater the proportion of carotenoids, the brighter red annatto seeds are.
Add Annatto Powder For Healthy Digestive System
Annatto seeds are rich in fiber and able to accelerate the digestion of important nutrients. Annatto sees consumption aids to avoid constipation. The fiber also contributes to reducing cholesterol and regulate diabetes, as it able to optimize the insulin intake and glucose levels in the bloodstream. Annatto is used as a diabetic controlling herb.
Annatto Seeds Accelerates Wound Healing
Due to the antioxidant properties of annatto, it is effective for healing minor skin wounds. The antioxidants facilitate the production of healthy cells and tissues that will reduce scarring and skin damage. When in pain from burns injury or wounds on the skin, or also any skin problem.
Annatto seed cream can be spread evenly to hasten the treatment process and lower the looking of the scar and mitigate the pain. Thus, the natural antimicrobial of this cream can try to avoid further infections
Use Annatto Seed For Cancer Prevention
Antioxidants have an extensive role in preventing the growth of cancer.Norbixin, one of the pigments found in annatto seeds is known to be a powerful antioxidant. In recent research, it was found that norbixin has an anti-mutagenic effect on healthy cells exposed to cancerous cells and free radicals, meaning that the seeds may be able to help prevent a variety of different cancer cells from spreading.
Protect and Strengthen the Kidneys
Annatto Seeds Strengthens Bones
The higher proportion of Calcium in Annatto seeds assure bone strength and durability. It increases the bone density strength and helps in preventing osteoporosis.
Annatto Powder Reduces Gonorrhea
Annatto power has been proven to be an effective herbal treatment for gonorrhea for decades. For those suffering from this painful condition, using annatto paste either internally or topically can be very effective for clearing up the STD.
Get Relieve From Stomach Issues
Stomach ache, heatburns and stomach cramps can be mitigated by the usage of Annatto seed powder. It can be consumed with tea or warm drinks or even directly to prevent any stomach discomfort.
Prevent Birth Disease
Annatto seeds are rich in folic acids and thus pregnant women are advised to consume annatto to prevent any birth disease in the babies.
Uses of Annatto
Annatto seeds are also useful in beauty care with the antioxidant properties.It is also used to cure fever, oral health, headache, vaginal wash, heat stroke treatment. Annatto seeds are used to cure the effects of snake bites and the essence of the leaves, roots and barks are used as poison antidotes.
.jpg)
Side-Effects & Allergies of Annatto
Annatto seed might increase or decrease the blood sugar levels and thus affect the consumer.Annatto may interfere in the sugar level during and after surgery. It is not known certainly if it is totally safe to be consumed during breast-feeding. Annatto powder is used as food coloring, when used in large amount may cause harmful effects.
Cultivation of Annatto
The annatto tree B. orellana is believed to originate from Brazil.
Apt time for raising the annatto nursery is during April-May months. The plant can be propagated by seeds or through stem cuttings.
Seedlings are raised in polythene bags containing a mixture of soil, sand and manure. Seeds germinate in about 8-10 days and only one seedling is grown in each bag. When the seeds grow, they are transplanted and irrigated regularly depending on the climate and yield of the crop.
References
- Scotter M. The chemistry and analysis of annatto food colouring: a review. Food Additives and Contaminants. 2009 Aug 1;26(8):1123-45. [Cited 20 June 2019]. Available from:
- Aparnathi KD, Lata R, Sharma RS. Annatto (Bixa orellana L.)-its cultivation, preparation and usage. International Journal of Tropical Agriculture. 1990;8(1):80-8. [Cited 20 June 2019]. Available from:
- Chin KY, Abdul-Majeed S, Fozi N, Ima-Nirwana S. Annatto tocotrienol improves indices of bone static histomorphometry in osteoporosis due to testosterone deficiency in rats. Nutrients. 2014 Nov;6(11):4974-83. [Cited 20 June 2019].
.png){kind=icon}
Table of content
Ask a free question
Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors