Millets are very small grains in a spherical shape. It actually comes in different colors. It can be deep red, yellow, gray, or white. These small grains are actually packed with so many nutrients, making it beneficial for the overall health. Not only that, the health benefits of millet are so many that it can be a good staple for diet.
Moreover, the health benefits of millet include improving the nerve and muscle health, increase the energy levels, and boost the immunity. Furthermore, it also helps in boosting the respiratory health, detoxifying the body, and lowering the risk of cancer. Plus, it is also good for the improvement of the digestive system, prevention of diabetes, and protecting the heart.
Millet: What is it?
Millets are in fact, one of the most significant cereal grains. More than one-third of our population consumes this cereal. Furthermore, it is also the world’s 6th most-produced cereal crop. Majority of the commercial millet crop of the world is actually produced by the countries of Africa, Egypt, Greece, India, and China.
Millet has a lot of varieties all over the world. Some of it is Sorghum or Jowar, Little millet or Sama, Finger millet or Ragi, Foxtail millet or Korra, and Prose millet or Variga. In these varieties of millet, the Sma and Bajra have the highest fat, while the finger millet or the Ragi has the lowest content of fat.
Even though there are many different varieties of millet all over the world, the pearl millet is still the most common of them all. In history, millets first originate in the country of Africa. However, it spread through the Middle East and Asia for about 10,000 years now. Since it has a high chance of survival in many punitive conditions, it is a preferred crop even up to this day.
Nutrition Facts of Millet
Millet is rich in so many essential nutrients. In fact, there is about 15% of the protein in it and also have an ample amount of fiber. Furthermore, it is also rich in vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B complex. Furthermore, the millet is also rich in many essential amino acids. like lecithin and methionine.
Millets, furthermore, are significant because it has unique rich content of nutrients. This includes high levels of starch, fats, magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, and B vitamins. Moreover, it also has significant levels of dietary fiber and proteins, making it beneficial for the health. It is way better than any other grains.
Health Benefits of Millet
Here are some of the best health benefits of millet:
Helps in having better sleep. The tryptophan in millet is beneficial in increasing the serotonin levels in the body. Hence, it helps in reducing stress and promoting better sleep.
Helps in preventing asthma. Studies show that millet may significantly improve the life’s quality of those who suffer from asthma ever since they are a child. Moreover, it may also help in the development of the illness in the first place.
Helps in detoxifying the body. The antioxidant properties of millet are beneficial in cleaning up the toxins in the body. This is by exerting or promoting the proper neutralization and excretion of the enzymatic activity in the organs.
Helps prevent cancer. This is one of the most amazing health benefits of millet. The fiber content of millet is the ones that counteract with the onset of various types of cancer like breast cancer in women.
Helps in treating digestion. Millet is beneficial in helping the gastrointestinal system move. Furthermore, it also helps in eliminating various problems in the system like cramping, bloating, excess gas, and even constipation.
Helps in controlling the cholesterol levels. The rich dietary fiber content of millet is essential for the lowering of the body’s cholesterol level. the dietary fiber as we know helps in eliminating the bad cholesterols from the system, promoting the positive effect of the HDL cholesterol or the good ones.
Helps in protecting the heart. The millet is a good addition to diet since it can benefit the heart. This is since the cereal is rich in magnesium. We know that magnesium is very important in reducing the blood pressure levels and lowering the risk of stroke or heart attack. Moreover, millet is also rich in potassium, which is beneficial in maintaining the low level of blood pressure.
Precautions on Millet
Millet may contain very few amounts of goitrogenic compounds that may restrict the absorption of iodine in the body. This may lead to thyroid complications like a goiter. Furthermore, since there are modern stresses in our body, specifically in the glandular system, an excessive work that is needed in digesting and processing millet may cause damage. You must consider talking to your doctor first before you shift to this. But regardless of its side effects, millet really is beneficial for the betterment of the health.
