Shravani is a class 12 student who was diagnosed with PCOD when she was just in class 7. She sits in the Biology class but often times her mind wavers around finding effective and innovative ways to treat her condition. The teacher teaches something about Millets and the importance of Millets in the diet of Indians. That is what grabs her attention. To begin with the teacher stresses on the fact that India is one of the biggest producers of Millets each year. From here on, she grabs her notebook and writes every detail she hears. Her book is titled,” The Wonderful World of Millets- What to eat and how?”.
Health benefits of Millets
Health benefits of Millets
I am 17 and I suffer from PCOD. I have tried all types of medication from Ayurveda to Allopathy but the condition just crops up back again. After reading up a little did I understand the importance of diet in regulating PCOD. It is imperative to take in foods which are rich in Minerals, Vitamins and anti-oxidants. This helps overcome any imbalance in your health which results from PCOD. Other than that, they help in reducing weight as well. One of them is Millets. There are a variety of Millets, but the ones which help this condition are Foxtail millet, Finger millet and Pearl millet. PCOD meals will generally recommend that you avoid processed food such as white flour, pasta, bread etc and instead substitute that with whole gluten-free grains such as millets.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with proper nutrition. Millets are a rich source of magnesium which aids the control. Magnesium helps in starch digestion by producing the carbohydrate digesting enzyme. Just as nothing in isolation can be useful, millets with calcium are the most effective in controlling Type 2 diabetes.
If you suffer from Cholesterol levels and heart conditions, then millets is one of the best grains to include in your diet. The magnesium in millets helps reduce blood pressure. The Lignans are another substance found in millets which are fermented in our body by bacteria. The product they produce after fermentation help protect us against heart diseases.
It is important to include Millets in your diet since childhood, especially if you suffer from asthama as a child. Other than that, they help in preventing gallstones, especially because they are a rich source of fibre. Lastly, millets are very important in preventing breast cancer. Ladies, you can reduce the chances of breast cancer by 50 per cent if you just consume more than 30 grams of fibre every day.
Nutritional Value of Millets
Millets are a good source of the minerals copper, Phosphorus, manganese and magnesium.
Another very important nutritional value is that, Millets have a low GI-index. GI is the Glycemic Index. Carbohydrates with high GI-values can worsen PCOD as it leads to production of large amount of insulin which leads to obesity. Thus it is better to choose grains with a low GI, Millets being one of them.
Types of Millets and Millets Names in Indian Languages
Millets In English
Pearl Millet
Finger Millet
Foxtail Millet
Millets In Hindi
Bajra
Nachani, Mundua, Mandika, Marwah
Kangni,
Kakum,
Rala
Millets In Tamil
Kambu
Kezhvaragu,
Kelvaragu,
Keppai,
Ragi
Thinai
Millets In Telugu
Sajjalu
Ragula,
Ragi Chodi
Korra
Millets In Kannada
Sajje
Ragi
Navane
Millets In Malayalam
Kambam
Panji Pullu
Thina
Millets In Marathi
Bajri
Nagli,
Nachni
Kang,
Rala
Millets In Punjabi
Bajra
Mandhuka,
Mandhal
Kangni
Millets In Gujarati
Bajri
Nagli,
Bavto
Kang
Millets In Bengali
Bajra
Marwa
Kaon
Millets In Oriya
Bajra
Mandia
Kanghu,
Kangam,
Kora
Millets In English
Kodo Millet
Little Millet
Barnyard Millet
Sorghum
Millets In Hindi
Koden,
Kodra
Kutki,
Shavan
Jhangora,
Sanwa
Jowar
Millets In Tamil
Varagu
Saamai
Kuthiravali (Kuthiraivolly)
Cholam
Millets In Telugu
Arikelu,
Arika
Sama,
Samalu
Udalu, Kodisama
Jonna
Millets In Kannada
Harka
Saame,
Save
Oodalu
Jola
Millets In Malayalam
Koovaragu
Chama
Kavadapullu
Cholam
Millets In Marathi
Kodra
Sava,
Halvi,
Vari
–
Jowari,
Jondhala
Millets In Punjabi
Kodra
Swank
Swank
Jowar
Millets In Gujarati
Kodra
Gajro,
Kuri
–
Jowari,
Juar
Millets In Bengali
Kodo
Sama
Shyama
Jowar
Millets In Oriya
Kodua
Suan
Khira
Juara
Varieties of Millets Available
Varieties of Millets Available
Lets look at the different varieties of Millets and their nutrient values. It is important to remember that some Millets generate heat, hence it is a good idea to consume them with ghee or butter milk. Ghee also helps in the absorption of nutrients.
There are a variety of Millets and here we will be discussing a few of the most abundant in India.
Jowar
The most famous millet for weight loss, it has a higher level of calcium compared to rice and wheat. Alongside calcium, it is a rich source of iron, protein and fibre. To top it all, it is a gluten free grain.
Foxtail Millet
You can buy it in the form of rice, rava or flour. It is a rich source of fibre, iron and copper. It controls the blood sugar level and cholesterol.
Finger Millet or Ragi
It is a source of calcium, protein and amino acid. You can kick off your day by having a bowl of porridge with Ragi in it. Like Jowar, you can skip rice and wheat and instead hog on Ragi.
Pearl Millet or Bajra
An important fact is that this millet has iron content which is about 8 times higher than that contained in rice. Why would you not include Bajra in your diet? Other than that it is rich in protein, magnesium, fibre and calcium.
These are the most important Millets found in an average household in India. If you don’t have them, make sure you make it your staple food.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Okay, so as always, we need to eat in a proper quantity. Overeating of anything is harmful. It’s the same case with Millets. Millets contain goitrogens. These impair the thyroid and iodine metabolism which could lead to Goitre. Thus if you already have thyroid issues, it is best to get the dosage of millets approved by a nutritionist.