Annatto The Benefits, Benefits And Harm Of Calories

The botanical name of this plant is the Orleans tree. Meanwhile, in everyday life it has many other names: annatto (Achiote), fondant tree, yang zhi shu, atol, biji, baisha, achiote. Its natural habitat is the tropics of Central and South America. However, today this plant can be seen in other regions of the planet.

What is annatto

This ancient plant is a tropical shrub or small tree. It is easily recognizable by its beautiful pink flowers and by its prickly, bright red fruits. Inside each contains about fifty dark red seed triangles. The fruit of this tree is heart-shaped and densely covered with spines. As it ripens, the pod opens and shows the seeds. Biologists have calculated that one small tree can produce up to 270 kg of seeds.

Annatto seeds obtained their red color due to carotenoids, which are highly concentrated in them. There are two types of carotenoids in seeds: fat soluble norbixin and water soluble bixin. Due to this substance perfectly manifests itself in any environment. However, over time, carotenoids are destroyed, therefore, the old seeds lose their former brightness.

In the modern food industry, plant pigment is used as a natural dye Е160b. But it should immediately be said that what the annatto is useful for and how people apply it has long been known.

Fondant tree in the history of mankind

In the countries of the Caribbean and in the cultures of Central America, annatto has been used for many centuries. The natives of Central and South America used seeds as a dye for food and textiles. And also in sacred ceremonies – as a ritual body paint. But besides this, representatives of ancient tribes venerated the fondant tree for its healing properties.

They treated almost everything: from mild ailments to potentially life-threatening diseases. Ancient healers did not know the chemical formula of this substance, but believed in its beneficial properties. It is today’s biologists who already know how to explain the healing power of annatto. Vitamin E plays an important role in this.

Benefits of the Orlean Tree

Some of the most impressive benefits of annatto include:

• promote healthy digestion;
• relieve heartburn, diarrhea;
• strengthen bones;
• prevent disturbances in the nervous system;
• promote wound healing;
• take a fever;
• improve eyesight;
• eliminate headaches;
• reduce nausea;
• protect against respiratory, viral and fungal diseases.

Also used in the treatment of hepatitis, malaria. It is believed that annato is one of the anti-cancer products (it contains tocotrienol, which stops the flow of blood to the areas affected by tumors, thereby stopping their growth), is a powerful antioxidant. Helps prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, lowers blood pressure and low cholesterol.

Useful properties of annatto

1. Anti-inflammatory agent.

Since ancient times, Orlean tree extracts have been used to treat many diseases, including internal inflammations. Over time, the effectiveness of annatto has been proven in the laboratory: the use of an aqueous extract of a plant made it possible to cure inflammation in rats.

2. A cure for gonorrhea.

Back in 1995, the journal Ethnopharmacology published the results of a study conducted by scientists in Guatemala. They confirmed: Annato bark has the ability to inhibit the development of 5 strains of gonorrhea.

3. Effective antioxidant.

This ability of the plant was proved by scientists from Brazil. The antioxidant effect of the researchers tested on sick rats. Scientists say that the maximum antioxidant effect is achieved through a combination of annatto extract and beta-carotene.

4. Blood sugar.

In the folklore of the West Indies there is mention of the use of the Orleans tree for the treatment of diabetes. Studies have shown that the extract of raw annatto seeds really causes a decrease in blood glucose concentration. Scientists have found: plant extract is most effective on an empty stomach, as well as after excessive consumption of glucose.

5. Anti-cancer properties.

Scientists from the University of Rio de Janeiro, as a result of many experiments, found out: norbixin, an annato pigment, has a powerful antioxidant potential, effectively fights free radicals.

6. Source of vitamins and minerals.

In plant tissues, vitamins B, C and E are contained in a fairly high concentration. Therefore, it makes sense to say that the Orlean tree is important for humans as a means to maintain the immune system, preventing DNA damage. Also, this exotic is an important source of proteins necessary for building strong muscles and important for enzymatic reactions. In addition, annatto provides the body with calcium, phosphorus and iron, which in turn take care of the health of the eyes (prevent the development of cataracts, macular degeneration and other ophthalmic disorders), bones and prevent anemia.

7. Proper digestion.

The high concentration of dietary fiber in the seeds and leaves of the Orleans tree makes them useful for the digestive system. In particular, annatto promotes the unhindered movement of food through the intestines and the absorption of nutrients. In addition, fiber is known to help lower cholesterol and optimize glucose concentration.

8. Strong bones.

The chemical formula of the extract of annato contains a fairly high concentration of calcium. Thanks to this, the plant acts as an important component for effective mineralization and restoration of bone tissue density.

9. Benefit for pregnant women.

Folic acid makes annato an important product for pregnant women, because it helps prevent fetal developmental pathologies.

Meanwhile, this does not mean that it is necessary to abuse the products of the Orlean tree, because, besides the beneficial properties, they can cause serious allergic reactions or cause more serious harm.

Annatto in folk medicine

The healers of the tribes that inhabited Central and South America effectively used the annatto to treat a variety of ailments. At the same time, all parts of the plant were used as a healing medicine: leaves, fruit pulp, flowers, seeds.

Leaves use:

1. Broth – for washing the burn wounds (to accelerate healing).
2. Infusion – for the treatment of dysentery.
3. Boiled leaves and shoots were applied to the body and head for the treatment of fever.
4. A decoction of the leaves and young shoots – for the treatment of angina.
5. Crushed leaves, mixed with coconut oil, in the form of a paste were applied to the forehead as a cure for headaches.
6. Poultice leaves – for the treatment of gonorrhea.
7. Attached to the places of snake bites.
8. Extracts from the leaves, roots and bark of annatto – as a substance that neutralizes poisons.
9. Broth – from nausea and vomiting.
10. Boiled leaves – for the treatment of diseases of the stomach, including ulcers.
11. For the treatment of prostate diseases, including cancer.

Use fruit pulp:

• prevents the formation of scars after blisters;
• stops bleeding;
• relieves fever;
• treats constipation, dysentery, gonorrhea.

Use of flowers:

Infusion of flowers is most often used as an expectorant for young children.

Use of seeds:

1. Ground and boiled seeds are effective in the treatment of burn wounds.
2. “Pollen”, covering the seeds, is used to stop bleeding, including gastric.
3. Seed oil is a remedy for leprosy.
4. It is used to treat erysipelas and red rash.
5. Funds from seeds are used to treat diabetes and gonorrhea.
6. In the Amazon, the seeds of the tree of Orleans are known as the female aphrodisiac.

Use of bark and branches:

1. A decoction of bark used against fever.
2. Used for wound healing, the regulation of menstruation, to improve the condition of the hair.
3. Mucus, obtained from the infusion of fresh branches, is used as a laxative agent.
4. In Peruvian medicine: a remedy for heartburn, indigestion, vaginal antiseptic, healing medicine.

Daily rate

The consumption rate of annatto depends on several factors, such as age, health, and others. But still there is no scientifically based dose range for the consumption of this substance. However, despite the fact that annatto is a natural product, you should not abuse it.

Side effects

Annato when used in adequate nutritional doses is considered safe for humans. But still in the world practice there are cases of allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis.

Carefully use annatto advise pregnant and lactating mothers, diabetics prone to hypoglycemia, as well as undesirable abuse of spices from the Orlean tree for 2 weeks before the planned surgery.

Interaction with other substances

With care to combine with hypoglycemic agents.

Annato in Cooking

Annatto seeds themselves are inedible. Therefore, to remove its pigment, as a rule, use water or vegetable oil. For many centuries, it has been used to preserve and improve the taste of food. Changing this plant is considered a culinary spice, and laboratory tests have shown that the annatto extract inhibits bacterial growth, has antioxidant properties.

In the food industry, annatto is used as a natural alternative to synthetic dyes. The rich red seeds were obtained due to bixine, a coloring agent contained in the seed coat. Because of this, annatto is used to impart a rich yellow or red color to products. Е160b can be contained in butter, margarine, sausage, smoked fish and other foods. In Venezuela, for example, is used to obtain a more intense color of corn flour. By the way, cheddar cheese appeared in the 19 century just thanks to annatto. The producers, wanting to deceive consumers (supposedly offering cheese from better quality milk), added spice to the raw materials, which gave not only a rich hue to the product, but also an original taste.

Also, these seeds can serve as an inexpensive substitute for saffron. Hence another name for the spice – saffron for the poor. In addition to color, annatto gives a characteristic soft aroma of rice, sauces, cheeses, fish, salad oil. Annato as a dietary supplement is most intensively used in Latin American cuisine and in the Caribbean. Its taste is musky, earthy, slightly peppery.

The island of Yucatan (the birthplace of the Mayan tribes) gave the world a paste made from a mixture of spices, which consists of annatto, Mexican oregano, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, black and allspice, garlic and salt. In addition to flavor, this seasoning mix gives the finished food a red hue. In addition, the Mayans, like other tribes, used annatto as a ritual body paint, as well as a component for making drinking chocolate (the plant extract gave the characteristic color and taste to the drink).

Today annatto is also part of the national cuisines of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Mexico.

How to choose the seasoning

Today, annato spice shops can be found in different forms: whole seeds, powder, paste, flavored oil. When buying seasonings it is important to pay attention to its color. The fresh product is usually bright red or orange red. Spice with a brown tint suggests that, most likely, it is made from old seeds that have lost their strength. The storage life of annatto powder in hermetic packages is up to 3 years, in the form of oil – no longer than 3 months (and only in the refrigerator).

Annatto Nutritional Value

100 grams annatto is:

• energy – 108 Kcal;
• Cellulose – 11 g;
• fat – 0 g;
• protein – 4 g;
• carbohydrates – 20 g;
• folic acid – 87,8 mg;
• vitamin C – 21 mg;
• Calcium – 75 mg;
• Sodium – 5 mg.

How to cook spices from annatto

Usually, in cooking, ground annatto seeds are used as a component of a mixture of different spices, or independently fried in oil.

Before mixing with other spices, annatto seeds should first be poured with water and boiled over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let insist for about an hour. Cool and grind.

To prepare flavored oil, pour seeds of orleans tree with vegetable oil (on 1 tsp you will need about 4 tbsp. Of oil), cover and fry for a few minutes. Then remove the annatto, and use the oil as a flavoring or natural food coloring. The finished product can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks, however, when fresh, the taste of annatue oil is better.

Other applications

Studying the beneficial properties of the Orlean tree, the researchers noticed that the chemical composition of its fruit has a positive effect on the structure of the skin (nourishes, soothes, softens, eliminates inflammation, rejuvenates). Since then, Annatto oil began to be used as an ingredient in shampoos, creams and lotions. There is also information on the use of annatto as an insect repellent, a sunscreen, and also a dye for textiles.

A beautiful appearance of the shrub makes it an interesting solution in landscape design. Meanwhile, decorating your plot with these evergreens, it is important to take care of maintaining a comfortable temperature for it – 20-30 degrees.

Today, the Orleans tree is known on different continents. Modern people, like the ancient Aztecs, use the unique properties of plants in various fields. And annatto, like many centuries ago, serves man.