English
With the aim of creating awareness and increasing the production and consumption of millets, the United Nations, on the proposal of the Government of India, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. It's a way to create more demand for millet, both in India and around the world, to improve people's nutrition. In addition, India recently hosted the G20 presidency in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023, and the guests were served delicious millet-based dishes. This is to promote millet as a nutritious food and increase its popularity worldwide.
Millets are nutrient-rich superfoods like sorghum, pearl millet (bajra), and finger millet (ragi). The best thing about these foods is that they can feed the increasing population without causing any harm to the environment. Whether you're in the mood for a healthy grain bowl, a snack, or a crunchy and healthy dosa, millets offer various delicious options for you to try. Millets have become popular not only for their health benefits but also for their environmental impact.
Millets are cereal crops and small seed grasses widely used in African and Asian countries. For a long time, these small crops were used for human consumption and fodder for animals. Some of the most common types of millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet). Millets are good for you because they are healthy and contain vitamins and minerals.
Millets are gaining popularity due to a diverse range of health benefits. It is low in calories and has lots of fiber, which helps to lose weight. Millets are rich in antioxidants that protect your cells, and they don't make your blood sugar spike, which is good for people with diabetes. More or less, millet can help a balanced and healthy diet. Here are some more health benefits of millets:
Millets are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion by adding bulk to stool and facilitating regular bowel movements. The thread in millet serves as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.
Millets are nutrient-rich, gluten-free, and have low glycemic index, which helps to maintain your blood sugar levels for diabetic patients. In addition, millets are a good source of dietary fiber, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Millets are heart-healthy as they contain nutrients that support cardiovascular health, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and help to maintain a healthy weight.
Millets are rich in dietary fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol levels. It is naturally low in saturated fat and is known to raise "bad" LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. The antioxidants in millets help prevent oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol.
It is rich in antioxidants, like ferulic and catechins, that prevent the body from harmful oxidative stress. It is suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Millets are packed with antioxidants that protect cells from damage and support overall health.
Millets are high in complex carbs and low in calories, which keeps you full for a longer time. This helps you manage healthy body weight and reduce unnecessary snacking and overeating. Millets are nutrient-rich, providing essential vitamins and minerals that improve overall health.