Annatto

Annatto

Other Names: Achiote, Achiotillo, Annato, Annotta, Arbre Rouge à Lèvre, Arnotta, Bija, Bixa orellana, Latkan, Lipstick Tree, Rocou, Rocouyer, Roucou.
Annatto is a plant. The seed and leaf are used to make medicine.
This food color is made from the red seeds of the Bixa orellana or achiote tree which is native to South America and the Caribbean. It provides yellow and red color and flavor to dairy products, meats, salad dressings, and spices. It is used frequently in native South American and Caribbean cuisine.

Special Precautions of Annatto

• Side effects include anaphylaxis -hives, swelling, shortness of breath, low blood pressure; exaggerated renal problems; diabetes -lowers the blood’s glucose level; hypoglycemia
• Annatto might affect blood sugar levels. This has raised some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using annatto at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Interference with anticoagulants, NSAIDS, blood pressure medication as chlorthalidone, pregnancy, and nursing.
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ANNATTO

Benefits and uses of Annatto are

• People take annatto for diabetes, diarrhea, fevers, fluid retention, heartburn, malaria, hepatitis, epilepsy, sleep disorders, ear infections, coughs, flu, nausea, asthma, hypertension, venereal diseases, vaginal issues and constipation.
• They also use it as an antioxidant and bowel cleanser.
• Cholesterol : Researchers believe annatto is able to lower cholesterol by suppressing the enzyme responsible for the body’s cholesterol production.
• heart disease : Annatto extract also reduces inflammatory cytokines and their gene expression by as much as 64%. Inflammation is the primary precursor of heart disease! The study was published in the British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research.
• Annatto is sometimes put directly on the affected area to treat burns and vaginal infections and to repel insects.
• Treatment for snake bites, burn blisters
• Stomach Issues: To calm an upset stomach, annatto is often consumed, as it functions like a stomachic, treating heartburn and discomfort, which may be associated with everything from viral infections to simply eating too much spicy food.
• Possible Anti-Cancer Role: Norbixin is one of the pigments found in annatto seeds and is known to be a powerful antioxidant. In recent research, it was shown that norbixin has a decidedly anti-mutagenic effect on healthy cells exposed to cancerous cells and free radicals, meaning that annatto may be able to help prevent a variety of different cancers from spreading.
• It is also used to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and as an insect repellent.
• In foods, annatto is used as a coloring agent.