Millet Is a Gluten-free Alkalizing Grain Full of Health Benefits

It has always been a favorite grain of mine since I discovered it in my hippy days in the 70’s!

Below, read about the 10 health benefits, some interesting trivia and history, 10 tips on how to use this gluten-free grain, and delicious recipes made from it.

10 Health Benefits of Millet

1. Millet is alkaline and it digests easily

Learn the10 Tips for Creating Alkaline Balance.

2. This grain is low on the glycemic index.

It will keep your blood sugar level stable. A study with diabetics showed that dehulled millet is beneficial for type-II diabetics.

3. Helpful for Digestion

This gluten-free grain acts as a prebiotic feeding microflora in your inner ecosystem. In a study, they found that there was prebiotic activity when eating millet, there was an increase in the friendly bacteria which helps promote digestion.
Best not eat too much millet at one time as there can be adverse side effects.

4. Useful in Preventing Cardiovascular Disease.

The consumption of this grain decreases triglycerides and C-reactive protein.  Scientists in Seoul, South Korea concluded that millet may be useful in preventing cardiovascular disease. Nutrition Research. April 2010; 30(4):290-6.

5. All Millet Varieties Show High Antioxidant Activity

A team of biochemists analyzed the antioxidant activity; all varieties showed high antioxidant activity. – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 9 June 2010; 58(11):6706-14.

6. Has a High Protein Content

It has more essential amino acids than most other cereals making it a substantial addition to a vegetarian diet.

7. Helps Lower Cholesterol

It contains soluble fiber, which traps fats and helps reduce cholesterol levels.

8. It is a gluten-free grain and non-allergenic

This makes it a great grain for gluten-sensitive individuals.

9. High in Calcium

Calcium is necessary for bone health, blood vessel and muscular contractions.
“It has the highest calcium content among all cereals (344 mg/100 g).” ~ Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India 

10. Helps with Good Sleep

The high levels of tryptophan in millet produces serotonin which is calming to your moods and helpful for sleep.

Nutritional information: 1 cup cooked millet

Calories 286
Carbohydrate (g) 57
Total fat (g) 2.4
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Saturated fat (g) 0.4
Sodium (mg) 5
Monounsaturated fat (g) 0.4
Thiamin (mg) 0.3
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1.2
Niacin (mg) 3.2
Dietary fiber (g) 3.1
Magnesium (mg) 106
Protein (g) 8
Zinc (mg)  2.2

Data from Nutrition Data

There are Many Varieties

The main millets are:

• pearl
• foxtail
• finger (or ragi)
• proso (or white)

Other varieties are: Kodo, barnyard, little
Guinea, browntop, fonio and adlay (or Job’s tears)

Trivia Interesting facts:

• The Hunzas, who live in a remote area of the Himalayan foothills and are known for their excellent health and longevity, enjoy it as a staple in their diet.
• It was the main grain in China before rice.
• In North America and Europe, it has been grown primarily for animal fodder, pasture grass, and birdseed.
• The majority of the world’s commercial millet crop is produced by India, China, and Nigeria.
• It grows in stalks 1 to 10 feet high and ripens in 60 to 90 days.
• It will grow in relatively infertile areas, is drought resistant and matures in such a short time; great for growing in less agriculturally developed areas
• This grain ranks as the sixth most important grain in the world sustains 1/3 of the world’s population and is a significant part of the diet in northern China, Japan, Manchuria and various areas of the former Soviet Union, Africa, India, and Egypt.
• China, India, and Niger are the world’s largest growers of millet today.

History:

• The exact origin is not known but research says it was most likely cultivated simultaneously in Asia and Africa over 7000 years ago.
• It has been a staple in India and Africa for thousands of years.
• In the Old Testament, it is mentioned as a grain for making bread.
• Chinese archeologists found a 4000-year-old bowl containing long noodles made from millet.
• The earliest written record of millet, “Fan Shen Chih Shu” 2800 BC, gives detailed instructions for growing and storing the grain.
• There is even evidence that it was eaten and grown in the Stone Age in Switzerland.
• It first came to the U.S. in 1875, was consumed and grown by early settlers like corn, then fell into obscurity
  

How to Buy and Store:

• When purchasing from bins in the bulk section, make sure the bins are covered and that there is a good product turnover ensuring it is fresh. Also, make sure that there is no moisture.
• Store this gluten-free grain in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place; it will keep for several months.
• Best to buy Organic Hulled Millet.

10 Tips for eating or cooking:

1. Instead of rice or potatoes, serve millet.
2. Add it to your favorite chopped vegetables; make a stir fry.
3. Add it to your salad; I like it warm.
4. Make breakfast porridge with cooked millet; add your favorite nuts and fruits.
5. Add it ground up to bread and muffin recipes.
6. The Hunza’s use it as a cereal, in soups, and for making dense, whole grain bread.
7. In India flat bread called roti are often made from millet flour.
8. In Eastern Europe, millet is used in porridge and kasha or is fermented into a beverage.
9. In Africa, it is used to make baby food, and as breakfast porridge.
10. In some countries, it is used as a stuffing ingredient for cabbage rolls.

What would life be like without gluten-free millet? Fortunately, it is readily available for me as it grows right here in my home province of Alberta.  For those of you who thought that it was just bird food; it is one of the power foods for us.

Learn How to Cook Perfect Millet with my very simple energy-conserving way.

Delicious Gluten-Free Millet Recipes

 Easy to Make Yummy Millet Pecan Pudding (Vegan and Sugar-free) – Once you have cooked it, this pudding is very simple to make.  It is for sure tasty and so healthy without sugar so you can have it for breakfast. And it has no milk which makes it a great vegan dessert.

 Millet Porridge – Vegan & Gluten-Free – This porridge is a great way to start the day. It is tasty, alkaline-forming, vegan and gluten-free!

 Millet Pudding, Sugarless, Gluten-Free – This pudding is simple, very nourishing and is gluten-free and vegan too.

 Millet and Buckwheat with Sunflower Seeds – This recipe is a favorite of mine; it is very yummy and mostly alkaline. The buckwheat with its full flavour enhances the very light flavour of the millet.

 Tasty Millet Coconut Pudding with Brazil Nuts – This creamy coconut pudding is extra delicious with the addition of Brazil nuts. It is gluten-free, vegan and easy to make with all healthy ingredients.