Why Millets
Why Millets
What is Millet?
MILLETS
Did you know millets are available in 7 different types.
Pearl Millet | Bajra
Pearl Millet or Bajra like other millets are high in nutrients, and it has a lot of health benefits. India is the largest producer of Bajra in the World. It is very beneficial for diabetic and heart patients. It is good for skin, nails and hair health.
Finger Millet | Nachani | Raagi
Finger millet is an important millet due to its amazing health benefits and grown in many areas of India and Africa. It belongs to a small millet group and is extremely healthy and flexible to climate. Finger millet improves skin health and helps in weight management.
Foxtail Millet | Kangni
Foxtail millet is the highest cultivated millet in Asia and the second highest in the world. They are also known as Kangni, Kang and kakum. It is an excellent source of calcium and iron and helps to strengthen bones and muscles.
Kodo Millet | Kodra
Kudo millet is a high-protein grain and is grown in various states of India. Kudo millet is consumed in India during fasting and is highly adaptive to different soil fertility. It is gluten-free and helps to reduce blood pressure and improve digestion.
Barnyard Millet | Jhangora
Barnyard millet is extremely healthy and contains a lot of nutrition. It is cultivated in hilly regions and widely cultivated in China and India. Barnyard millet improves digestion and is extremely beneficial for people suffering from type two diabetes and heart diseases.
Sorghum | Jowar
Sorghum is a gluten-free grain and is cultivated and consumed worldwide. It has been a part of the human diet for more than 5000 years. It improves bone health and red blood cells. Jowar or sorghum are rich in fiber and help to control blood sugar level.
Little Millet | Kutki
Little millet is one of the small millet and is also known as kutki, samai, and samalu. It has a low glycaemic index, thus helping to control blood sugar levels. It helps to reduce cholesterol and manage body weight.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MILLETS
Millets contain a high amount of soluble fiber which can help to reduce the amount of "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber can easily collect cholesterol by converting it into a gel and taking the bad cholesterol out of your system. It also improves the amount of "good" cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is one of the major factors that affect heart problems, so taking millet regularly in your diet can improve your heart health. Millet contains potassium, which helps to control blood pressure.
Millet is helpful to improve lung conditions like asthma, TB and lung cancer. Wheat is a common grain that is involved in grain-included asthma and wheezing, while none of the millet consumption has such a negative impact on asthma. Studies have found that regular consumption of millet can prevent the condition of asthma and reduce the symptoms of childhood asthma.
Millet has a low glycaemic index (GI) compared to all other grains. This helps to reduce the intensity of increasing and decreasing blood sugar and controls it effectively. Also, it has a high amount of fiber content which reduces your cholesterol level and helps you to properly manage your weight. These are the top things that control diabetes. According to research, regular consumption of millet can reduce diabetes by 12 to 15 per cent.
Millet is high in soluble and insoluble fiber which helps in improving digestion. It helps to improve the appetite and improves synergies between the intestine and stomach. It also prevents indigestion, stomach bloating and ulcers. By properly removing the waste in the form of stool from your body, it helps to prevent serious conditions related to the stomach like ulcers and colon cancer.
Many studies have shown that regular consumption of Jowar and Bajra can help you to heal from cancer. High cholesterol level and inflammation can cause cancer, and including millet in your diet daily can help to reduce cholesterol and inflammation. Various studies have also shown that millet can help to reduce the growth of colon cancer cells and colorectal cancer.
Millet contains soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber in millet can help to reduce the cholesterol level. Soluble fiber can easily get soluble with cholesterol by converting it into a gel and effectively removing it from your body. A study from ICRISAT found that regular consumption of millet can reduce blood pressure by 8% and cholesterol by 5%.
Millets contain many antioxidants that can help to detox your body naturally. Also, it contains a high amount of fiber that helps to improve digestion and clean your stomach properly.
Include Millet in Your Daily Diet
Nutrient Content of Millets (Per 100 Grams)
| Millet | Protein (Grams) | Mineral (Grams) | Fibre (Milligrams) | Calcium (Milligrams) | Iron (Milligrams) |
| Foxtail Millet | 12.3 | 3.3 | 8.0 | 31 | 2.8 |
| Little Millet | 7.7 | 1.5 | 7.6 | 17 | 9.3 |
| Barnyard Millet | 11.2 | 4.4 | 10.1 | 11 | 15.2 |
| Kodo Millet | 6.2 | 4.4 | 9.8 | 20 | 5.0 |
| Pearl Millet | 11.6 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 42 | 8.0 |
| Finger Millet | Nachani | Raagi | 7.3 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 344 | 3.9 |