Red resembles blood, and eating the red plant amaranth can increase blood. 

The plant is a common summer vegetable originates in China, India and Southeast Asia. In China, it is widely cultivated in the Yangtze river basin, such as Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Wuhan provinces. 

Cooking amaranth in water will draw the red color out, and it contains high concentration of iron, hence the vegetable is commonly known for increasing hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that is present in the red blood cells.

China's Flora Tour

From the wetlands along the coast to the dense rainforests hidden in the southwest of China, all boast an array of plant species. In this series, CGTN will go on a tour to learn about some of the most iconic flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local climate and topography. 

(Cover photo via VCG, designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun)

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