Bajra Benefits / Pearl Millet Benefits: Bajra commonly known as pearl millet is a widely grown a variety of millets all over the world. Bajra offers various health benefits and is a good grain to have in your everyday meal. It has high amounts of fiber that aids digestion. It also lowers your bad cholesterol while increasing the good cholesterol in your system and is therefore very good for your cardiovascular health. It is rich in antioxidants and can prevent the occurrence of cancer, particularly breast cancer. It can help prevent asthma. It is very good for your muscular system and is known for its high vitamin B content, which allows it to break down the carbohydrates and fat in your body.
Bajra can be used as a whole or as bajra flour. When processed into flour it is used to prepare bajra rotlies, bhakri, stuffed parathas, dhoklas etc. combined with wheat flour or jowar flour it can be used to make bhakris, thepla and other Indian flatbreads.
Let’s have a detailed look at bajra benefits:-
- Bajra helps in Weight Management: Bajra Consists of complex carbs, which is absorbed slowly from our digestive tract, leading to greater satiety while ensuring a continuous flow of energy. This helps prevent overeating and in-between meal bingeing.
- Bajra is Gluten Free: The protein content in bajra is gluten-free, making it a good change from the gluten-heavy daily meals we consume. Gluten-free foods are generally beneficial for us .
- Bajra maintains Gut Health: Bajra is a rich source of insoluble fiber, which works as a pre-biotic in our gut, helping keep our digestive health in top form. Insoluble fiber also helps prevent overeating by adding bulk to the meals, leading to early satiety. Insoluble fiber is also vital for proper bowel cleansing and preventing constipation.
- Bajra helps to Manage Diabetes: Diabetes control and prevention both are affected by fiber intake in our daily diet. The positive effects are well documented in a number of studies worldwide. Bajra has a positive effect on diabetes because of its fiber content and the presence of slowly digestible starch, which takes longer to convert to glucose. This helps in managing diabetes and providing a sustained energy release for diabetics. Moreover, bajra is a good source of magnesium, which is associated with a lowered risk of diabetes.
- It protects Heart: Since bajra is a good source of magnesium, it is good for heart patients to add bajra to their diet. Magnesium is capable of preventing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases like BP and diabetes. Studies have also pointed towards a beneficial effect of magnesium on lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and it also protects against stroke. Bajra is a good source of magnesium, it is good for heart patients to add bajra to their diet.
- Phytochemicals are present in abundance in Bajra: The most abundant polyphenols present in bajra include flavonoids – tricin, luteolin, and acacetin. These have been shown to be anti-carcinogenic and antitumor, and may even help arrest the growth of breast cancer cells. Flavonoids act as anti-oxidants in our body and also help with boosting the immune system. Anti-oxidants are also associated with a positive effect on overall health, aging and are a protection against metabolic syndrome.
- It is packed with Omega-3 Fats: Bajra is a better source of healthy omega-3 fats as compared to other cereals. Omega-3 oils have been associated with lowering BP, triglycerides, slowing plaque development in arteries, maintaining regular heart rhythm and are known to be cardioprotective.
- Bajra is full Of Iron and Phosphorus: Bajra provides modest amounts of iron and phosphorus. Iron is a very important nutrient for cognitive thinking, memory and also for energy. If you suffer from anemia (iron deficiency) you know that low iron levels can leave you feeling exhausted and weak due to lack of oxygen being delivered to tissues and a buildup of carbon dioxide. Iron-rich foods are therefore important for your health.
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