Phytochemicals in quinoa and amaranth grains and their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and potential health beneficial effects: a review

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) are pseudocereal grains rich in both macronutrients and micronutrients including vitamins and minerals. The proteins are particularly of high nutritional quality due to the outstanding balance of essential amino acids. However, recent research strongly suggests that nonessential nutrients such as phytochemicals of quinoa and amaranth may also have potential health beneficial effects. This review focuses on the phytochemical composition of quinoa and amaranth seeds, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydrophilic (e.g. phenolics, betacyanins) and lipophilic (e.g. fatty acids, tocopherols, and carotenoids) nutrients, and how these contribute to the potential health benefits, especially in lowering the risk of the oxidative stress related diseases e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The gap between current knowledge and future research needs have also been identified.

Anthocyanins from Purple Corn Ameliorated Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α‐Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in 3T3‐L1 Adipocytes via Activation of Insulin Signaling and Enhanced GLUT4 Translocation

“…Adipocyte differentiation plays an important role in the development of these diseases. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote obesity and insulin resistance . Build‐up of oxidative stress in adipose tissue is one of the early events in the onset of obesity .…”

“…Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote obesity and insulin resistance. [2] Build-up of oxidative stress in adipose tissue is one of the early events in the onset of obesity. [3] Antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins can be used to eliminate ROS and maintain homeostasis.…”

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Chenopodium sp. (Caryophyllales: Chenopodiaceae)

“…Quinoa is considered to be an important crop in the genus Chenopodium to improve world food security (Vega-G alvez et al 2010). In addition, some bioactive ingredients, such as flavonoids, volatile components, phenolic acid, and phytoecdysteroids, extracted from quinoa and other Chenopodium species showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities (Tang and Tsao 2017). The chloroplast genome of Chenopodium sp.…”

Ultraviolet A protective potential of plant extracts and phytochemicals

“…Amaranth seeds contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants that contribute anti-inflammatory activity, in lowering risk of the oxidative stress related diseases (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease) and improving gut health. Oil obtained by cold-pressing the grain is valuable due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, and squalene 80,81 . A recent study evaluated effect of pre-and post-treatment with amaranth oil on UVAirradiated human skin fibroblasts.…”