What are the Benefits of Millet?
There are many benefits to the millet. It is highly nutritious, plus it cooks quickly (in 15 minutes or less), even when you make pilafs with it. As I wrote in my blog: “It’s one of the healthiest grains around, containing significant levels of protein and fiber—two nutrients that keep you feeling full for hours after a meal. It’s also rich in magnesium, potassium, B-vitamins, iron, and calcium.”
Millet can be cooked like any other grain (and is delicious when cooked like brown rice), but unlike some other gluten-free grains (such as amaranth) it is quick to cook—perfect for weekday meals.
Millet is available in white, red, and black varieties. It’s wonderful simply boiled (it takes about 15 minutes) or steamed like rice, but it also does well when made into a salad with some vegetables added in.
An excellent resource on millet is the book Whole Grain Mornings by Emily des Jardins. Millet is one of her favorite grains not just because it’s nutritious and healthy, but also because it cooks quickly.
Who can benefit from eating more millet?
Millet is a popular grain in African countries, India, China, and parts of Europe. It’s not as well known in the US, but it should be. Millet is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet.
Due to its nutritional content, millet is a great choice for people with diabetes, as it has a low glycemic index. It’s also rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect cells from free-radical damage.
Millet can be used as a substitute for other grains that contain gluten (such as wheat) or that have a high glycemic index (such as rice).
Millet is a family of several very different cereal crops grown because of their small-seeded grasses. Millets are usually found in colder climates, although they grow well in cool temperate zones around the world.
They have been used for thousands of years to make pieces of bread and porridge for people in India, Africa, Russia, and China. Millets can be found in many sizes; some are tiny like the finger millet (most commonly used to make bird feed) while others are more familiar like the pearl millet (commonly milled into flour).
Millets are increasingly popular with health-conscious consumers because they’re gluten-free and boast a nutritional profile that is easy to digest, as well as being rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants. Millet nutrition isn’t just good for you—it’s great.
Millets side effects on health:
Do you know what is millet? Millets are also known as “simple grains”. It basically includes all vegetables that belong to the cereal family. In the western states, the millets include crops such as fonio, Kodo millet, little millet, and foxtail, etc. However, in India, it mainly includes the crops of finger millet, barnyard millet, and certain other varieties.
It is an extremely nutritious food grain that provides the non-vegetarian population with proteins. Millets are rich in many minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, etc. The seeds of these grains are also called “pseudo-cereal”.
The millets are directly consumed in the form of gruel, porridge in their green or ripe state. These seeds can also be eaten when it is milled into flour and used to make slices of bread, rotis, cakes, etc.
The millet plant grows up to a height of one foot on average and bears 4-10 flowered panicles. The millets are very popular in the Asian countries like China, Japan, and Thailand because it is ideally suited to their tropical climate.
millet benefits hair:
Millets are basically used as a baby’s staple food because of their mild flavor and high nutrient content. These “pseudocereals” have a low glycemic index and is rich in proteins, potassium, calcium, etc. The most important benefits of consuming millets are listed below:
Prevents hair loss:
Millets don’t lead to hair fall like the other cereal grains like wheat, rice, etc. The nutrients present in millets nourish the hair follicles well and prevents them from falling off.
Controls diabetes:
Millets are highly rich in dietary fiber, magnesium, etc. As these types of compounds contain a low glycemic index it helps in controlling diabetes up to a great extent. The millets are also known to delay the gastric emptying time which in turn inhibits sugar absorption.
Prevents anemia:
The millets like finger millet, proso millet, little millet, etc. are rich sources of iron and zinc. These types of compounds present in these seeds help in obtaining better blood circulation towards our body and prevent anemia.
Helps in weight loss:
The millets like fonio, little millet contains high fiber content that promotes weight loss since we tend to eat less after having this meal. The fiber also restricts the fermentation of undigested food particles which further minimizes our calorie intake.
Source of proteins:
Millets are rich in proteins and amino acids which are vital for the human body. It helps to improve our immunity power by strengthening our muscles, bones etc.
Anti-aging properties:
The millets are known to contain high antioxidant properties due to their complex nature. The consumption of this seed regularly keeps free radicals at bay thus delays the aging process considerably.
Healthy heart:
The millets are rich in Vitamin B1, magnesium, etc. Magnesium prevents the formation of blood clots which restricts cardiovascular diseases to a great extent. Soak these seeds overnight and have them on an empty stomach every day helps to maintain good heart health.
Prevents cancer:
Millets are known to contain phenolic compounds that have great cancer-fighting power. It inhibits the growth of different types of cancer cells and prevents cancer.
Treats respiratory disorders: Millets are known to contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help in the treatment of respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, etc. It is even effective in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Prevents arthritis:
The millets are rich in phytochemicals and dietary fiber which helps in preventing arthritis. These compounds present in this seed enhance bone health and prevents joint inflammation as well which ultimately helps in reducing arthritis problems.
Controls blood pressure:
The millets like Kodo millet, fonio contain potassium which is an important mineral for our body. As this compound controls the sodium levels of our body it also regulates the blood pressure by controlling the high blood pressure.
Source of B complex vitamins:
The millets are rich in various types of vitamin-like thiamine, niacin, etc. that help to improve our metabolic rate and maintain strong muscles. It also provides nourishment to the nerves and brain cells that enhance our memory power as well.
Prevents constipation:
The millets like fonio, little millet, etc. are rich in dietary fibers that promote a healthy digestive system and prevent chronic diseases like constipation as well.
Alleviates menstrual cramps: Millets help to regulate the blood sugar levels and also helps in the weight loss process which controls the problems related to the menstrual cycle. It is also said that the millets are rich in iron which helps to reduce menstrual cramps.
Reduces hypertension:
The millets like fonio, little millet, etc. are known to contain potassium and magnesium that lowers down the blood pressure level by controlling the sodium content of our body cells.