Health benefits of consuming millets, the gluten-free superfood

This year 2023 has been proclaimed as the “International Year of Millet” by the United Nations at the initiative of the Indian Government. Here are the health advantages of millets that will convince you to add the gluten-free superfood to your diet

Millets are the traditional grains consumed by half of the population of Asia and Africa and there are about 6,000 varieties of millet throughout the world including Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi or Nachni), Brown top (Sama), Kodu (Arke), Proso (Chena/Barr), Barnyard (Sanwa) and Foxtail Millet (Kora). Millets are the most beneficial for health since they are gluten free and are good for digestive system as well as protects us from heart diseases and compared to the other grains, millets are easy to grow and do not ask much of soil and a rainfed crop, don’t require as much time and pampering as it is required for rice and wheat.

Health benefits of consuming millets, the gluten-free superfood (Image by Alicja from Pixabay )

This year 2023 has been proclaimed as the “International Year of Millet” by the United Nations at the initiative of the Indian Government as the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare aims to promote the cultivation and consumption of millet at a larger scale and bring it to the entire globe. The three millets - Jowar, Bajra and Ragi are known as neutral while Brown top, Kodu, Proso, Barnyard and Foxtail are the positive millets that are becoming more and more popular because of being incredibly beneficial to the digestive system and can heal chronic conditions like diabetes.

Talking about the several health advantages of consuming millets, the gluten-free superfood, Sharmila Oswal, Founder and MD of Gudmom by 1Organic, shared in an interview with HT Lifestyle, “Millets are high in protein, fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. They are renowned as a nutritional powerhouse. It aids with immunity, weight reduction, and overall health. Being high in nutrients such as dietary fiber, carbs, protein, and healthy fat, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, and magnesium.”

She added, “Millets also aid in fitness and energy level maintenance because they offer a low-calorie content. Millets have also been shown to alleviate asthma, lessen migraines and drain out toxins from our bodies, allowing our organs to work optimally. It has always been superior in nutrients and proteins and a balanced life can be achieved if the crop is included in our daily consumption.”