Annatto is a fruit of the annatto tree, known scientifically as Bixa orellana, which is rich in carotenoids, tocopherols, flavonoids, vitamin A, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium, which give it antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is therefore used in traditional medicine to strengthen bones, control blood glucose and treating skin problems, for example.
In addition to being used for its medicinal properties, annatto is also used as a dye in cosmetic products and in the textile and paint industries. In cooking, the crushing of seeds gives rise to paprika, used as a food flavoring.
Annatto can be purchased at supermarkets, health food stores or street markets. However, its use should always be done under the guidance of a doctor or other health professional who has experience with the use of medicinal plants, especially for the treatment of health problems.
What is it for
Studies with annatto have shown that this plant has several medicinal properties. In this way, it can be used to:
1. Improve eye health
Annatto is rich in carotenoids, such as bixin and norbixin, found mainly in the outer layer of the seed, and vitamin A, which are important for maintaining vision, protecting the eyes and preventing vision problems such as dry eyes and night blindness. Therefore, this plant can be used by anyone who wants to improve eye health.
2. Combat skin aging
Annatto is rich in carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids and tocotrienols that have strong antioxidant action and, therefore, help to prevent and combat the aging of the skin and the appearance of expression lines, by fighting free radicals that cause cell damage .
3. Prevent cardiovascular disease
The tocotrienols present in the annatto, due to its potent antioxidant action, help in reducing bad cholesterol that is responsible for forming fatty plaques in the arteries and, thus, this plant helps to prevent and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke cerebral.
4. Control blood pressure
Annatto is rich in potassium, which is a mineral that helps to control blood pressure, especially when it is high, because it causes blood vessels to relax, reducing blood pressure.
In addition, the magnesium present in the annatto acts as a natural blocker of calcium channels, inhibiting the release of a neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, responsible for increasing blood pressure, and thus also contributes to reducing blood pressure.
5. Regulate blood sugar
Some studies show that tocopherols present in annatto leaf extract can improve insulin resistance, which helps to control blood sugar levels and can be an important ally in the treatment of diabetes.
6. Improve the digestive system
Because it is rich in fiber, the annatto leaves and seeds help to improve the functioning of the digestive system, contributing to good digestion and to improve the absorption of nutrients by the intestine.
7. Keep your bones healthy
Annatto is rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which are fundamental minerals to strengthen, increase resistance and maintain bone health, which can help prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia or rickets, for example.
8. Maintain brain health
Annatto is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidants such as carotenoids and tocotrienols that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, keeping the brain healthy and helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, for example.
9. Heal the skin
Some studies show that annatto leaves have healing and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the production of substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines, and can be used to assist in the treatment of skin wounds, burns, cuts or psoriasis, for example, by accelerating the healing of the skin.
10. Eliminate fungi and bacteria
Some laboratory studies show that the annatto leaf extract is able to eliminate fungi, mainly Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, in addition to bacteria such as:
- Staphylococcus aureus that cause lung, skin and bone infections;
- Escherichia coli that causes urinary tract infection;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa that cause lung infections, ear infections and urinary infections;
- Streptococcus faecalis that causes urinary tract infection;
- Shigella dysenteriae that causes bacterial diarrhea.
However, studies in humans are still needed to prove these benefits.
11. Helping to fight cancer
Investigations made with myeloma cells and cancer of the prostate, pancreas, liver, colon, stomach, lung and skin, have shown that bixin, a carotenoid present in annatto, has anti-proliferative action, which means that it reduces the growth of cells cancer. In addition, carotenoids such as bixin and norbixin, and annatto tocotrienols, have powerful antioxidant action, which act to fight free radicals that cause more damage to cells. However, studies in humans that prove this benefit are still needed.
How to use
The parts used in the annatto are the leaves or the seed from which its active substances are extracted.
The main ways to use annatto are:
- Annatto leaf tea: add 8 to 12 dried or fresh annatto leaves in one liter of boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes and strain. It is recommended to drink a maximum of 3 cups a day;
- Annatto seed tea: add 1 tablespoon of annatto seed in 1 liter of boiling water and let it rest for 15 minutes. Remove the seed and drink 2 to 3 cups a day;
- Annatto oil for cooking: mix 300 g of annatto seeds in 1 liter of sunflower oil. Heat a little until the oil is reddish. Turn off the heat, wait for it to cool and use the oil to season salads or to cook;
- Annatto capsules: you can take 1 250 mg annatto capsule, up to 3 times a day, before meals. These capsules can be purchased at pharmacies, drugstores or health food stores.
Another way to use annatto is in ointments, which are made with the extract of this plant and can be purchased ready-made in pharmacies or drugstores, used for skin healing, in cases of psoriasis, wounds or burns, for example. However, it is important to consult a doctor before using the ointment.
Possible side effects
Annatto is safe for most people when used in the form of skin ointment or consumed in the form of paprika in small amounts in the diet.
For annatto leaves, it is recommended to use up to 750 mg per day for a maximum of 12 months and, for seeds, prolonged use should be avoided as there is not enough information to know if they are safe or what the side effects may be. .
Annatto can cause allergy and medical attention should be sought immediately or the nearest emergency department if allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or seizures appear.
Who should not use
Annatto should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women as there are not enough studies to prove their safety.
In addition, annatto should be used with caution by people using diabetes medications such as glimepiride or insulin, for example, as it can cause a sudden decrease in blood glucose and lead to the appearance of hypoglycemic symptoms such as excessive sweating, nervousness, agitation, tremors , mental confusion, palpitations or fainting.
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Bibliography
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