Millets - To Eat or Not to Eat?
In our previous blogs, we saw a plethora of advantages of eating millet. And without a shadow of a doubt, millets are healthy for our hearts, are rich in antioxidants, control our blood sugar, are gluten-free, help us lose weight, give us glowing skin, and shiny healthy hair – it is indeed a superfood. What is not to like, right? Yes and No.
Yes, because these are all these facts backed by studies conducted by reputed organizations such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and from real-life experiences of people who have benefitted immensely through regular consumption of millets as part of their diets. What's more, this coming year 2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations General Assembly after a resolution proposed by India and supported by more than 70 countries.
As many benefits as there are in consuming millets, one needs to exercise caution and prudence in deciding if and how much to have of the millets. One size may not fit all, and this is true with millets and especially with their consumption on a large scale. Firstly, even when consumed in small quantities, millets need to be cooked appropriately and in the right way to get all its benefits.
Secondly, millets are not a replacement for Rice or Wheat. Each type of grain has its own set of benefits and therefore, needs to be consumed in small portions over some time. A good rule of thumb could be to include millets every alternate day in our meals.
Studies have shown that excessive consumption of millets, especially Pearl Millet, may affect Thyroid function. And hypothyroidism causes fatigue, and weight gain and brings with it a host of issues. Therefore, those with Thyroid problems may want to exercise caution and consume millets in moderate quantities.
Additionally, the downside of Millets having high fiber content is that they can cause delayed digestion due to their slow digestibility and may cause constipation at times. It can further aggravate health problems like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Excessive consumption of millets could lead to heat generation in the body.
And as the saying goes, too much of anything is bad and far from ideal. Overconsumption of millets may cause small intestine damage. Those already with intestinal damage may want to watch how much of the millets they can incorporate into their diet. High oxalate concentration in millets may lead to kidney stones. Millets contain goitrogen, a substance that inhibits iodine uptake and utilization by the thyroid gland. The deficiency of iodine leads to the development of an enlarged thyroid gland, known as Goitre. Goiter causes dry skin, anxiety, depression, and slow thinking.
The month of September is being celebrated as national Nutrition month in 2022 to raise awareness of the importance of Nutrition. According to the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, one should consume about 270 gm of Cereals including millets, if you are consuming millets then you can consume about 90-100gm of millets per day of the recommended quantity.
Through our series of blogs on millets, we hope to educate you on the benefits of consuming millets, how it positively impacts our heart health, and lastly, the problem areas to avoid when consuming millets.
Make millets an integral part of your diet but let millets not be the only item on your plate. A well-rounded diet is always the way to go!
LetsLive a hearty, healthy, and happy life!
Let’sLive Millets
Our millet grains are 100% all natural, hardy & resistant varieties that are cultivated using traditional methods! Used for both Human and Livestock consumption, Millets are magical superfoods that are yet to receive their due. Rich in protiens, carbs, fibre, vitamins and minerals, these are small grains that pack in a punch! Try them out today and check out for yourself!
Order your millets today here!
About Let’sLive
Let’sLive is a social empowerment enterprise committed to enhancing and improving the livelihoods of tribal and farming communities. We work directly with small-scale farmers so that our customers can get access to products that are natural, pristine, and picked from the lap of nature. We encourage and provide advice for practicing ethical farming and eco-friendly methods to all those who partner with us.
At Let'sLive we are passionate about bringing in 100% all-natural and healthy products directly from the farming and tribal communities to your doorstep like Pure Raw Honey, Traditional varieties of rice, etc. We want our consumers to enjoy and have direct access to the products that are pristine and picked directly from the lap of nature. The mandates by which we operate are:
* Value every life around us by encouraging ethical farming
* Leverage local knowledge and promote legacy harvesting practices with high hygienic standards
* No preservatives or artificial processing on any of our products
* Each product can be traced to its origins and the people involved in its making
* Educate consumers on the importance of consuming rich and natural local produce
To know more about us read here