Millets are whole grains and are a storehouse of nutrition. They are from Poaceae or the grass family. Since ancient times, they have been part of our kitchens as an essential component for maintaining healthy lifestyles. This is because they are rich in zinc, potassium, magnesium, fibre, protein, folate, gluten-free, antioxidants, and vitamins B, C, and E. Consumption of millets benefits your overall well-being, which also means they help reduce your health insurance expenses.
Among its small and large variants, a notable one is barnyard millet, also known as kuthiraivali rice. Here, let’s discuss in detail the benefits of millet rice or kuthiraivali rice benefits.
What are the different benefits of millet rice?
The benefits of millet rice include the following:
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Weight loss
- Promotes good heart health
- Regulates blood sugar level
- Prevents celiac disease
- Promotes digestion
- Helps boost immune power
1. Reduces the risk of cancer
Millets are rich in fibre and phytonutrients, which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Phytonutrients reduce the risk of colon cancer. It also repairs the damage caused to DNA when exposed to various toxins. Moreover, lignan is rich in phytonutrients, and it offers many health benefits, like reducing the chances of experiencing menopausal symptoms, developing osteoporosis, and reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. Nutritionists advise adding millet to your diet because of its numerous health benefits.
2. Weight loss
Maintaining a healthy weight is among the major benefits of millet rice. Those who want to lose weight should regularly consume rice millet as it aids in weight loss. Millets are rich in fibre, which keeps us full for longer and helps us avoid overeating; this helps in weight loss. According to various studies, regularly consuming millet not only helps in stabilising body weight but also helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Moreover, millet is low in calories, helping those who want to lose weight to attain their goals. It is also gluten-free.
3. Promotes good heart health
Millet rice promotes good heart health because it is rich in potassium and magnesium. It is rich in antioxidants and has beta-glucans, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, tannins, lignans, and policosanols, which help regulate blood pressure and promote good cardiovascular health. These properties of millets help the blood vessels to remain free from clots. Along with increasing good cholesterol levels, it helps reduce heart ailments and other diseases. If you are someone who has cholesterol issues, adding millet rice to your diet will be a smart move.
4. Helps in regulating blood sugar levels
Millets are a powerhouse of nutrients and help promote good health in various ways. They not only help in stabilising weight and cholesterol levels but also control blood sugar levels. Being a rich source of fibre and having a low glycaemic index, it helps directly regulate blood sugar levels. The low glycaemic index in the millet rice helps in the steady release of glucose in the bloodstream, preventing the sudden spikes of glucose, thus maintaining a balanced sugar level in the body.
5. Prevents Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder triggered by gluten consumption. Foods having gluten content are wheat, barley, and rye. Millet rice is a good alternative for those with celiac disease as it is gluten-free. Eliminating gluten helps prevent its adverse impact on the immune system and the intestines. It benefits those who have Celiac disease as it is nutritious and provides a healthy option to enjoy a versatile range of foods in the form of millet.
6. Promotes digestion
Rice millet is a rich source of fibre that helps in aiding digestion. Fibre aids digestion, prevents constipation, bloating, cramping, and flatulence, and promotes good gut bacteria. Promoting good and healthy digestion is another significant benefit of millet rice. The soluble fibre in millet rice helps put one’s digestive system on the right track and regulates blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. Several essential nutrients and vitamins in millet make it easy to digest and an excellent dietary choice.
7. Helps boost immune power
Millet rice is known to boost the immune system. The essential minerals and vitamins present in millet rice are known to improve the working of the immune system. Moreover, vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties that support the immune system by improving the production of white blood cells in the body; this defends the human body against infections and other viruses. So, including millet rice in your diet is a smart choice.