Popped Amaranth Can Improve Blood Vessels and Cholesterol

Amaranth is a tiny grain that is often eaten popped, like popcorn, and is thought to have cholesterol lowering properties. To study this cholesterol lowering process, researchers in New Zealand fed 27 rabbits a high cholesterol diet or standard diet, and then gave some of the rabbits in the high cholesterol group popped amaranth. The scientists found that eating amaranth restored endothelial function (blood vessel health) to “nearly normal” during the 21-day recovery, and also substantially lowered total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.  
Food & Function. 2014 Nov 19;5(12):3281-6. (Caselato-Sousa V M et al.).