Sacha Inchi in Summary

What is Sacha Inchi?

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), also known as the “Inca Nut” although it is not related to a nut, is a plant native to the Amazon of Peru which produces a unique seed very rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9.

The plant is a hermaphrodite small plant with tiny flowers that produces a small pod, approximately 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 weight of each seed usually goes from 0.8 to 1.4 grams.

Sacha Inchi is originally from the Amazon Rainforest, and what used to be a wild plant is now cultivated widely in the region, becoming a sustainable source of income to many families of the area.

The plant was originally cultivated by the Incas in the Region of Junín, in a district called Pichanaqui, one of the best areas to grow this plant due to its excellent environmental conditions: soil, humidity, sun and other natural factors.

The plant grows at approximately 500 meters / 1,650 feet above sea level, on a mountain hillside at the end of the Andes on the jungle side, in a place protected from excessive rain, floods and high winds. The soil is particularly special, soft and muddy, very rich in mineral content and nutrients.

What is Sacha Inchi good for?

Known benefits are:

• Immunological protection
• Cardiovascular health
• Mental clarity and memory
• Improved vision
• Healthy bones and joints
• Anti-inflammatory support
• And much more…

How does Sacha Inchi work?

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are the main nutrients provided by Sacha Inchi, are called “essential” because our body necessarily needs to receive them through our food. The body cannot make EFAs by itself, nor store them, so we need a regular supply in our food.

EFAs are converted by the body into prostaglandins and other chemicals, all of which are needed constantly by most tissues in the body and for essential body processes.

Unsaturated essential fatty acids include Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9.

In addition to providing energy, essential fatty acids are part of the structure of every cell in our bodies. We need them to achieve and maintain a healthy heart, but they are also essential for a healthy brain, for healthy function of other organs, eyes, skin, joints, hair and immune system.

What does Sacha Inchi contain?

The most important part of Sacha Inchi seeds is their Omega 3 content. There are very few other sources able to provide the same quantity of Omega 3, which is often not available in the necessary quantity in an average diet.

Hence the importance of incorporating Sacha Inchi into the daily food. Certainly, there are many other significant nutrients within Sacha Inchi, including essential fatty acids like Omega 6 and 9, but also proteins.

The Sacha Inchi seeds offer 33% protein content. Not only is this a significant amount, but even more important, it contains all essential amino acids as well. This makes it a very important source of high-quality proteins.

Further, the plant offers a good vitamin E value, which is not only interesting for human consumption but also important because it allows the production of Sacha Inchi products without the need of adding preservatives.

Sacha Inchi is a very complete food, providing many of the most essential nutrients our body needs to receive through our daily diet.

Is Sacha Inchi safe?

Yes, it is simply food. As with other oils rich in essential fatty acids, it is not recommended to excessively use the oil, for example by drinking it, nor should the oil be used for cooking or heated in another way, as it will go rancid very quickly.

Sacha Inchi:

• Is a food
• Has no toxic actions if used appropriately, without excessive use and without heating
• Has no side effects
• Can be consumed as similar oils rich in essential fatty acids
• Omega 3 plays an important role during pregnancy
• Is very important for children, adults and elders

Other things to know

There are records that indicate that this plant was traditionally used by the “Chancas” as a food. The Chancas, an old civilization well known as one of the most rebel and warrior of the region, was conquered by the Incas, passing its knowledge of this amazing plant to the rest of the empire and the Inca itself. This is one of the reasons why the plant is known as the “Inca Nut”.