Healthy Directions – Sacha Inchi
A short article by Jorge L. Urena introducing Sacha Inchi as a powerful source of omegas, its Amazonian origin, cold-pressed oil process and fatty acid profile.
Sacha Inchi Omegas Amazonian origin Cold pressed oil Omega profile Functional oil
Sacha Inchi, a Powerful Source of Omegas
The Amazon continues to surprise us. Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), also known as the Inca Nut, is a plant native to the Amazon of Peru which produces a unique seed very rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9.
Sacha Inchi is a small hermaphrodite plant with tiny flowers that produces a small pod, 3 to 5 cm in diameter, bright green when young and dark brown when mature. The pod usually has 4 lobes, each one containing a seed of 15 to 20 mm wide and 7 to 8 mm thick.
The plant was originally cultivated by the Incas in the Region of Junín, in the district of Pichanaqui, one of the best areas to grow this plant due to its environmental conditions: soil, humidity, sun and protection from excessive rain and winds.
Sacha Inchi oil is made from selected raw seeds and obtained by cold press extraction. A filtration process thereafter eliminates impurities and achieves the final product.
The oil is light in colour and has a pleasant nutty flavour. It is rich in essential nutrients and essential fatty acids, with an average of 50% Omega-3, 34% Omega-6 and 9% Omega-9, a total of 93% unsaturated fatty acids with a ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 of 1:1.4.
Furthermore, Sacha Inchi oil could be one of the best oils ever known as the essential fatty acids contained in the product are considered precursor fatty acids, which allow the body to convert them to DHA and EPA fatty acids commonly found in fish.
From a nutritional perspective, as we lack Omega-3 fats in our diet, Sacha Inchi oil represents one of the best alternatives known.
Written by Jorge L. Urena, President & CEO, Peru Naturals Corporation
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