Many processed food items, including cheeses, dairy The seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), a tropical American native, are used to make the orange-red condiment and culinary colouring known as annatto (/naeto/ or /nto/).

Other Names : - Annatto, Sindoori, Lipstick tree, Annattoo, Latkan Seeds, Jafra Seeds

Health Benefits of Annato Seeds

1. Antioxidant Properties

Carotenoids and other phytochemicals found in annatto have antioxidant effects. Toxic free radicals (free radicals) raise the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, cognitive disorders, and other chronic health conditions. Antioxidants work to combat these free radicals.

2. Promote Vision Health

High levels of carotenoids in annatto may aid to improve eye health. There has been a reduction in the buildup of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E). The retinal cycle's A2E byproduct is what causes vision loss in older people. It was discovered that the annatto carotenoid bicin can both prevent and treat retinal damage. To promote annatto as a viable treatment for eyesight problems, more human research are necessary.

3. Improve Bone Health

Tocotrienol produced from annatto was reported to lower inflammation and enhance bone health in diabetic mouse models of osteoporosis. In a different rat investigation, annatto tocotrienol was discovered to lessen the effects of metabolic syndrome problems or osteoporosis-related bone loss.

4. Can perhaps stop birth defects

An astonishing level of folic acid, or folate, is likely present in annatto. While this vitamin has many vital advantages, avoiding neural tube problems in developing children may be the most crucial one. To prevent these kinds of disorders, pregnant women are urged to increase their folic acid intake.

5. Might Enhance Skin Care

An important factor in annatto's popularity for skin care is the potential presence of tocotrienols, which function as antioxidants. If you've been seeking for a skin care product with anti-aging properties, annatto paste formed from the seeds can be topically applied to the skin to perhaps lessen the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, and other flaws as well as tighten the skin and make it look younger.

  • Annatto is a natural condiment and culinary colour. It is produced from the seeds of the South and Central American native achiote tree (Bixa orellana).

Regarding Natural Food Colorants

The main application of anatto is as a natural food colouring. It is used to impart a brilliant yellow colour to certain cheeses. Typically, the seeds are crushed and steeped in water, where they become a  paste after the water evaporates. This vibrant paste is then used to give colour to a variety of soups, gravies, cheese, butter, margarine, cakes, and boxed popcorn.

All around the world, annatto is substituted for pricey saffron in culinary recipes. Even other 
commercially available packaged food items including smoked salmon, microwave popcorn, beverages, and 
other kinds of packaged food use it as a food colour. Compared to the majority of other artificial food 
additives and colours, annatto is non-toxic and safer.