Millets are small & spherical grains packed with essential vitamins & minerals. They come in a variety of colours like yellow, grey, white or even red. The botanical name of millet is Eleusine Coracana. The popular millets in India are Jowar, Bajra & Ragi.

 

Millets are a powerhouse of nutrients. They contain around 15 % of protein and are rich in fibre. They also are a rich source of Vitamin E, B complex, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin. In addition, millets also contain essential amino acids like methionine and lecithin and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

 

Here are a few Health Benefits of the Superfood of India - Millets:

 

Improves Skin Elasticity

Millets come packed with essential amino acids called L-lysine and L-proline. These help to create something called as 'collagen' in the body, a substance which gives structure to the skin’s tissue. Therefore, consuming millets fortifies the collagen level to improve skin’s elasticity and makes it less prone to wrinkles.

 

Fights Aging

Antioxidants in millets fight stress and neutralize the free radicals in the body. This helps reverse the signs of ageing of the skin. They maintain proper health of the skin by rejuvenating skin cells. Ubiquinone found in millets is also used in the beauty products to reduce wrinkles of the skin.

 

Minimizes Scars

Scar tissues have a different cell structure than that of the healthy skin, making it rigid. Alium, an important antioxidant found in millets, boosts the blood flow to the scar tissues. Thus, blending in the development of new skin, minimizing the scars. Millets also increase the speed of the skin repair system, firms the skin preventing further damage.

 

Protects Against Sun Damage

Selenium, Vitamin C and Vitamin E in millets guard the skin against sun damage and skin cancer. As you know, Sun damage makes the skin dull and lifeless. These nutrients boost the growth of new cells to make the skin appear & feel younger and more radiant. Millets also help to reduce discolouration and wrinkles associated with sun damage.

 

Enhances Complexion

Millets are a powerhouse in Vitamin E, which is an amazing vitamin for the skin. It penetrates through the layers of the skin, helping the body by speeding up the natural wound healing process. It even lubricates the skin and forms a protective layer that serves to keep the free radicals away from the infected wound. The high amount of vitamin E in millets are also found to enhance the complexion.

 

Get Youthful Skin

Consuming millets in large amount protects and preserves cells which give the skin a more youthful look. Millets also help to renew damaged cells making them stronger by reducing stress.

 

Moisturizing Agent

Consuming millets helps to retain the natural moisture content in the skin. It makes dull looking & dry skin - Healthier & Fresher.

 

Reduces Acne

Lipoic, an antioxidant found in few millets, produces valuable anti-inflammatory results by increasing cell metabolism and circulation in the skin. This anti-inflammatory property found in the millets increases blood circulation in the body to reduce acne and fine lines on the skin.

 

Rich in Nutrients

Millets contain several health friendly nutrients that are essential for proper functioning of the body. Iron and copper content found in millets is required for the production of blood cells and to improve blood oxygenation. These minerals, along with the phytonutrients can help build a formidable defence against all types of diseases and cancers. Millets also contain phosphorus which is conducive to control blood pressure.

 

Millets are rich in iron content, which makes them a perfect food for curing anaemia. Millets also contain natural calcium deposit which strengthens the bones on regular usage. Consumption of Ragi Millet helps prevent arthritis and also recover from fractures.

 

Treats Coronary Artery Disorder

Consumption of millets in large amounts helps decrease triglyceride levels in the body. It thins the blood to prevent blood platelet clumping, thereby reducing the risk of sunstroke and coronary artery disorder.

 

Rich in Vitamin B

Vitamin B in millet helps to break down carbohydrates and fat more efficiently. It reduces homocysteine level in the blood to prevent cholesterol from bonding and forming deposits. Niacin prevents cholesterol from getting into the bloodstream and raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. This protects the blood vessels from atherosclerosis and haemorrhage.

 

Low Amount of Gluten

Millets like Jowar, Bajra & Ragi are those food grains which are loved by vegans and vegetarians because of the existence of the high amount of protein in them. They help to meet the daily protein requirement using a complex carbohydrate rather than animal sources. They do not contain extra saturated fats or other unhealthy ingredients that the animal sources contain. The protein structure of millets is similar to wheat; the only exception being millets are non-gluten grain while whole wheat contains a high amount of gluten, making it hard to digest.

 

Aids in Weight Loss

Millets contain tryptophan, an amino acid which lessens appetite and helps in managing weight. They digest at a slower rate keeping the stomach full for a longer period of time. Millets are rich in fibre that satiate hunger quickly, preventing from overeating. People who wish to lose weight should incorporate millets in at least one of their main meals every day.

 

Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer

Millets like Jowar, Bajra & Ragi contain both fibre and phytonutrients, the combination of which is believed to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Lignan, a phytonutrient found in various millets, is converted into mammalian lignan in the human intestine that protects from breast cancer. In fact, consumption of millets can help lower the risk of developing breast cancer by 50%.

 

Helps Decrease High Blood Pressure

The Magnesium found in various millets relaxes the muscles that line the inside of the arterial wall, which in turn helps to reduce blood pressure. Millets also reduce the severity of asthma and frequency of migraines.

 

Helps Prevent Celiac Disease

Celiac is a disease which damages the small intestine in the human body and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. People who suffer from this particular disease cannot tolerate gluten. Thus, making millets a perfect food for them since they are completely gluten-free superfood.

 

Helps to Manage Diabetes

The low glycemic index found in millets slows down the digestion process and keeps the blood sugar level at a constant ratio. Millets improve insulin sensitivity for people suffering from diabetes and also help to control the sugar levels for diabetics - especially type 2 diabetes. Thus, regular consumption of Ragi Millet can decrease fasting glucose by 32 percent and can eliminate insulin resistance by 43 percent. Hence, Ragi is advantageous for diabetic patients.

 

High in Fiber

Millets are rich in fibre, which help in easy digestion of the food consumed. Millets are considered as one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains. The laxative properties of millets make them an excellent remedy for constipation. Lecithin and Methionine present in millets helps to flush out the harmful fats from the liver. Consuming these grains which are high in fibre also prevent the formation of gallstones, especially in women. The Fiber present in millets also speeds up intestinal transit time and reduces the secretion of bile acids that contribute to the gallstone formation. Several researchers have found that people who consume high amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre present in millets such as Jowar, Bajra & Ragi have 13% lower risk of developing gallstones when compared to those who don’t.

 

Good Source of Antioxidants

The high amount of antioxidants present in millets fights free radicals present in the body which in turn slows down the ageing process.

 

Slows Down Muscle Degradation

Millets are a high protein grain and contain lysine, an amino acid which slows down muscle degradation and helps to build leaner muscles.

 

Aids in Sleep

Tryptophan in millet raises the serotonin level in the body which reduces stress levels. A cup of millet porridge using Jowar, Bajra or Ragi every night can help you to get sound and peaceful sleep.

 

Breast Milk Production

Women are advised to consume Ragi in high amounts during pregnancy to increase the production of breast milk in the body. This enables the mother to feed the child for a longer period of time.

 

Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Because of the high level of magnesium present, millets are a great food for women who suffer from unbearable pain and cramps during their menstrual cycle days.

 

High in Phosphorus

Phosphorus content in millets helps to structure the cells in the body. It is an essential component of numerous compounds including adenosine triphosphate or ATP, which enhances energy in the body. Phosphorus is also an important component of lipid-containing structures, such as cell membranes and nervous system structure. A cup of millets will provide you with 17% of your daily phosphorus intake requirement.

 

Strengthens Hair Follicles

Millets are a rich source of protein, a nutrient highly recommended for people suffering from hair loss. Healthy hair requires sufficient intake of protein. The protein found in hair cells is known as keratin, which is directly responsible for the composition of each strand of hair. A lack of protein can lead to severe hair loss. Therefore, an adequate intake of millets strengthens hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage.

 

Treats Scalp Conditions

Magnesium found in millets reduces inflammation in the scalp to treat scalp conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff. Millets are also beneficial for treating premature balding. Consumption of millets helps alleviate metabolic syndrome, a health condition which causes premature balding.

 

Stimulates Hair Growth

Millets promote the circulation of blood circulation in the scalp, therefore, promote hair growth.

 

Controls Hair Fall

Stress increases cortisol level in the body leading to massive hair shedding. Magnesium present in millets helps control hair loss by reducing cortisol level in the body.

 

Helps Prevent Premature Graying

Premature greying of hair is caused mainly due to oxidation of the hair tissues. The potent antioxidants found in millets effectively prevent the corrosion of tissues, thereby reducing the possibility of premature greying of the hair.