Abstract
Mexican amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus and A. cruentus) presents strong potential as a nutraceutical ingredient for the Hispanic market in the United States, particularly targeting women’s and gastrointestinal health. This study proposes an export model grounded in scientific evidence, post-harvest technology (freeze-drying), and market analysis. The 1:1 leaf-seed formulation preserves key compounds—such as folates, lunasin, and phylloquinone—useful for addressing nutritional deficiencies and hemorrhagic disorders prevalent among Hispanic women. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluates agronomic viability, FDA regulatory barriers, and culturally relevant marketing strategies. The findings suggest that amaranth is a functional, economically promising, and culturally aligned alternative to strengthen Mexico’s value-added agro-export portfolio.