Annatto is a natural food additive that has been linked to various benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved eye and heart health, and anticancer properties.
What is annatto?
Annatto is an orange-red food colouring or condiment made from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), which grows in tropical regions in South and Central America.
It has several other names, including achiote, achiotillo, bija, urucum, and atsuete. It’s most commonly used as a natural food colouring, as it imparts a bright color that ranges from yellow to deep orange-red, similar to saffron and turmeric.
Potential health benefits of annatto
This natural food colouring has been associated with various potential health benefits.
Antioxidant properties
Annatto contains numerous plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties, including carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tocotrienols.
Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralise potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals, which can damage your cells if their levels rise too high.
Research has found that damage caused by high free radical levels is linked to chronic conditions, such as cancers, brain disorders, heart disease, and diabetes.
Antimicrobial properties
Research suggests that this food colouring may have antimicrobial properties.
In test-tube studies, annatto extracts were shown to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
In another test-tube study, annatto killed various fungi, including Aspergillus niger, Neurospora sitophila, and Rhizopus stolonifer. Moreover, adding the dye to bread inhibited the growth of fungi, extending the bread’s shelf life.
Similarly, one study found that pork patties that were treated with annatto powder had less microbe growth than untreated patties after 14 days in storage.
This research indicates that this food coloring may have a promising role in food preservation.
May have anticancer properties
Early research suggests annatto has cancer-fighting potential.
For example, test-tube studies have found that extracts of this food coloring may suppress cancer cell growth and induce cell death in human prostate, pancreas, liver, and skin cancer cells, among other types of cancer.
The potential anticancer properties of annatto have been linked to compounds it contains, including the carotenoids bixin and norbixin, and tocotrienols, a type of vitamin E.
While these findings are promising, human studies are needed to investigate these effects.
May promote eye health
Annatto is high in carotenoids, which may benefit eye health.
In particular, it’s high in the carotenoids bixin and norbixin, which are found in the outer layer of the seed and help give it its vibrant yellow-to-orange colour.
In an animal study, supplementing with norbixin for 3 months reduced the accumulation of the compound N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), which has been linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among older adults.
However, human studies are needed before annatto can be recommended for this purpose.
Other potential benefits
Annatto may offer other benefits, including:
May aid heart health. Annatto is a good source of vitamin E compounds called tocotrienols, which may protect against age-related heart issues.
May reduce inflammation. Several test-tube studies indicate that annatto compounds may reduce numerous markers of inflammation.
Though it’s uncommon, some people may experience an allergic reaction to it, especially if they have known allergies to plants in the Bixaceae family.
Safety and side effects
In general, annatto appears to be safe for most people.
Though it’s uncommon, some people may experience an allergic reaction to it, especially if they have known allergies to plants in the Bixaceae family.
Symptoms include itchiness, swelling, low blood pressure, hives, and stomach pain.
In some situations, annatto may trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not consume it in amounts higher than those normally found in foods, as there aren’t enough studies on its safety in these populations.
If you experience any uncomfortable side effects while consuming this food coloring or products that contain it, stop using them immediately and speak to your healthcare provider.
By Ryan Raman, MS, RD (Healthline.com)
