Millets are extremely nutritious and good for health, Millets are cereal crops and small seed grasses, which are widely used in African and Asian countries. Since ages, these small crops were used for human as well as animal consumption, around 97 percent of world’s overall millet production happens in Africa and Asia.
Millets are one of the oldest grains cultivated in the world. They have been grown in Southeast Asia, and Africa for thousands of years. Millet can be used in making cereal, bread, and other dishes. Millet is still used as a staple diet in parts of India and Africa. Due to their versatility, easy to grow and consume, Millets are regaining popularity worldwide.
Types of Millets
Today millets are widely available in various varieties such as Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Raagi), Barnyard Millet, Foxtail Millet, Sorghum (Jowar), and little Millet, kodo Millet, Barley, Quinoa, Buckwheat and Brown top Millet. While each of these types of millets look different, they all offer the same health benefits.
Health Benefits of Millets
Millets are rich in Niacin, Manganese, Zinc and Beat-carotene. They're important for organ functions and a healthier looking skin. These minerals are so important that they're often added in synthetic format to enrich the processed foods.
Millets also offer the following health benefits.
Control Blood Sugar
Millets are low in Carbohydrates that makes it a low glycemic index (GI) food. Low GI food takes longer to digest than the regular foods so they keep blood sugar from spiking after each meal that allows people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels easily.
Protect Heart
Millets are rich in magnesium, and help reducing blood pressure and risk of heart strokes especially in atherosclerosis. The potassium in millets helps in keeping blood pressure low by acting as a vasodilator and help to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Gastrointestinal Health
Higher fiber contents in millets help reduce the constipation, bloating and gas troubles. Due to their slow digestion process and increased transit time through the small intestine, fiber in millets excerpt their beneficial effects. The increased transit time also reduce the pace of glucose and its absorption by the body.
Obesity:
Obesity is a large problem across the world and it often associated with severe chronic conditions such as diabetes, and heart problems. Rich dietary fiber in millets improve the large bowel function and slows the digestion and absorption process, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Detoxification:
Millets are rich in curcumin, ellagic acid, Quercetin and catechins, which further help in removing foreign agents and free radicals and balance the enzymatic reactions in the body. These can naturally detoxify the blood.