7 Reasons Why You Should Eat Bajra

Bajra, otherwise known as Jowhar, belongs to the millet family and is often considered as the staple food of people in rural India.

Slowly and steadily, this gluten-free millet is becoming popular because of the high nutritional benefits it holds. Including bajra in your daily diet will make your dishes healthy and tasty.

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Bajra is also known as pearl millet, not because it looks like a pearl but for its quality like that of pearls. In olden days, bajra was just restricted to animal feed. But, rapidly this whole grain gained importance as the people are now becoming more conscious about the immense health benefits of eating bajra.

In order, to get the maximum health benefits of bajra, you can consume and cook it just like rice. You can also use the ground flour to make rotis, as a porridge or can be used in the preparation of malt drinks.

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Although there are many health benefits of eating bajra, people suffering from rheumatic and kidney diseases must refrain themselves from the excessive consumption of this grain. This is because excessive use of bajra can cause the formation of uric acid deposits in your body.

Let us look at the various health benefits of bajra.

Other health benefits of bajra are that it improves bone development, helps in weight loss, beneficial in treating stomach ulcers, reduces the occurrence of asthma in children and acts as a good source of energy. Now, as you know the benefits of bajra, include this grain in your diet and stay healthy.

Reduces Cholesterol

Reduces Cholesterol

Bajra contains phytic acid and niacin, which helps to lower the cholesterol level. The photo chemical called phytic acid increases cholesterol metabolism, thereby stabilising the cholesterol level.

Promotes Heart Health

Promotes Heart Health

The high content of magnesium present in bajra controls blood pressure, whereas niacin lowers the blood cholesterol level. This will help in reducing the chances of heart diseases. Also, the antioxidants present in bajra prevents heart diseases.

Reduces Cancer Risk

Reduces Cancer Risk

Like all other millets, bhajra is also considered as a good food that reduces the risk of cancer. This is because of the huge amount of magnesium and phytate present in this nutritious grain.

Beneficial For Diabetes

Beneficial For Diabetes

Unlike other foods, the high fibre content in bajra allows slow digestion of the food and thus lowers the releasing rate of glucose into the blood stream. In diabetes patients, it keeps the glucose level in a consistent manner.

Beneficial For Celiac Disease

Beneficial For Celiac Disease

Celiac illness is a condition in which an individual becomes intolerant even to a little amount of gluten in his/her diet. Unlike rice and wheat, millets are the only type of grains that are gluten-free. Hence, this is one of the major health benefits of eating bajra.

Prevents Gall Stones

Prevents Gall Stones

The insoluble fibre content in bajra lessens the secretion of high amount of bile in our body. An excessive secretion of bile in our digestive tract increases the risk of stone formations. The high fibre content in pearl millet decreases the danger of gall stones.

Anti-Allergic

Anti-Allergic

This grain has a low chance of causing allergic reactions because of its effortless digestive ability. As it is hypo-allergic, toddlers, lactating mothers and aged people can also include it in their daily diet.

Story first published: Wednesday, May 6, 2015, 13:33 [IST]
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