While saponins in amaranth are not toxic, what effect are they known to cause when consumed in significant amounts?
Answer
Gastrointestinal upset
Amaranth contains compounds known as saponins. Although these compounds are explicitly noted as not being toxic to humans in general, they possess properties that can irritate the digestive tract if consumed in high concentrations. When significant amounts of amaranth are eaten, the saponins present are known to induce gastrointestinal upset. For people with pre-existing digestive sensitivities, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), this necessitates starting with very small portions of the cooked grain to assess individual tolerance before attempting larger amounts.
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