The Indian millets are considered to be extremely nutritious and good for health by the medical experts. Millets can make for delicious healthy meals, and can be consumed in the form of idlis, dosas or even as porridge, a good meal option for growing kids and aging adults. According to most health experts, millets are loaded with high amount of proteins, hence immensely beneficial, if added to daily diet. The various forms of Indian millets available in the market are: sorghum (jowar), foxtail, finger (ragi), pearl (bajra), barnyard, kodo, little and the proso millet. We bring to you seven health benefits one can derive by consuming millets.
Numerous nutritional benefits
Millets contain great nutritional benefits. They are very important to the body since they contain vitamin B, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and fats which can provide great health benefits. Also, millets contain significant levels of protein, dietary fiber, magnesium; which helps in reducing blood pressure and the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Prevents diabetes
Diabetes has become an increasingly prevalent disease world-wide not only among the adults but also among the children. Magnesium is considered as one of the important minerals for increasing the efficiency of insulin and glucose receptors in the body, thereby preventing this disease. According to the medical experts there is at least 30 percent reduction in diabetes in the population that consumed a magnesium-rich diet. Eating millet has shown to keep the sugar levels in the body in check.
Helps improve digestion
According to the research, millets eliminate problems such as constipation, excess gas, bloating, and cramping. In fact the millets help in regulating the digestive processes, and improves the nutrient retention and also reduces the chance of serious gastrointestinal conditions like gastric ulcers. Regular digestion and elimination of waste helps optimize the kidney, liver, and immune system health, and those organ systems that are closely related to the body’s metabolic activities. Regularly making millet a part of the diet can help maintain a healthy gut and prevent peptic ulcers and colon cancer.
Detoxifies the body
According to the research, many of the antioxidants in millet can clean up the toxins from the body. The various chemicals such as curcumin, ellagic acid, can help in getting rid of the body of all the toxins by aiding in proper excretion and neutralizing enzymatic activity in certain organs. Millets are also said to contain catechins and quercetin that can help keep the kidney and liver functioning properly by excreting the toxins from the body.
Cancer prevention
According to the medical experts, millet is an antioxidant-rich grain containing quercetin, selenium and pantothenic acid which protect the body from producing cancerous cells. According to some studies adequate consumption of fiber can prevent breast cancer in women. Women who consume more than 30 percent fiber per day are often safe from the effects of breast cancer.
Prevents anaemia
Anaemia is a condition experienced in most women who don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. People suffering from anaemia may feel tired and weak. Consuming millets can be beneficial. The folic acid, folate, and iron present in the millets are the key components in the formation of red blood cells and helps keep the haemoglobin to an adequate level. Millets are also a good source of copper which aids in making red blood cells.
Helps repair body-tissue
Phosphorus the mineral present in the millets helps in forming the structure of the cells in the body, and also helps form the mineral matrix of the bone and aids the molecules that are the source of energy for our body. Millet is a good source to get the phosphorus intake required for the body to perform these functions.
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