Composition and beneficial properties of millet (millet)

Millet contains a number of vitamins and minerals, thanks to which the product is actively used in alternative medicine and cosmetology. Despite its high calorie content, millet promotes weight loss. At the same time, it is not recommended to abuse it, so as not to develop digestive problems.

Read the article about the benefits and harms millet brings and what medicinal properties it has.

Calorie content and chemical composition of millet, vitamins

Millet has a high energy value - up to 342 kcal per 100 g of product. It contains 11.5 g of protein, 66.5 g of carbohydrates and 3.3 g of fat.

The cereal contains nutritional components:

• 9% vegetable fiber;
• essential amino acids - leucine, aspartic acid, threonine;
• vegetable proteins prolamins and glutelins;
• minerals - magnesium, copper, fluorine, iron and manganese;
• 2% sugars;
• vitamin group B - thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic and nicotinic acids.

Does it contain gluten

Does not contain millet gluten - storage proteins found in some cereals. Therefore, cereals can be easily consumed by people with individual intolerance to this compound and following a gluten-free diet.

Does it contain starch?

Cereals contain about 66.5% carbohydrates, most of which are starch. Only 2% comes from easily digestible structures.Starch consists of amylose and amylopectin, which are partially broken down by saliva and hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Reference. Due to the high starch content, millet increases in size during cooking, absorbing liquid. Due to this effect, when it enters the stomach, the swollen cereal presses on the walls of the organ, causing a feeling of fullness.

From what grain is millet obtained?

Millet is the seeds of millet, so it is a mistake to assume that these are different plants.

There are about 400 varieties of millet and they are grown on a large scale for obtaining millet cereals.

There are 3 types of grains:

• millet-dranets are whole grains freed from the flower film;
• crushed cereal is a by-product of the food industry;
• polished millet - grain kernels freed from the outer shell, due to which they cook faster and are much easier to absorb by the body.

Beneficial features

Why it's useful millet and what effect it has on the body:

1. The product is rich in vitamins and minerals. Due to the high content of nutritional compounds, millet has a general strengthening effect on the body, accelerates metabolism, improves blood circulation and tissue regeneration.
2. Minerals strengthen the bone structure of the musculoskeletal system, improve the contractility of skeletal muscles and myocardium. Plant proteins are used to build new muscle tissue. As a result, the body's endurance increases.
3. Thanks to the high content of coarse and soluble fiber, the functioning of the digestive tract improves. Dietary fiber removes waste, excess fluid and toxic substances from the intestines.Due to its coarse structure, fiber causes increased peristalsis of the smooth muscles of the digestive organs, which has a positive effect on the process of defecation.
4. When consumed regularly, cereal reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood serum, preventing the development of atherosclerosis. Organic acids as part of the product improve the rheological properties of blood (viscosity and fluidity). Millet stabilizes the plasma concentration of glucose in the body.
5. Millet has a diuretic effect, so when it is used, heavy metal salts, uric acid, and excess minerals leave the body. The risk of urolithiasis is reduced.
6. Millet contains lipotropic compounds involved in the destruction of adipose tissue. Therefore, it is recommended to eat cereals while losing weight. If you follow a low-calorie diet, a nutritious product will not only give you vigor and strength, but will also help in the fight against excess weight.

Cereals contain a number of polyphenols. Chemical compounds inhibit the activity of enzymes that can cause clouding of the transparent media of the eye. Thanks to this effect, the risk of developing cataracts is reduced.

Use in folk medicine

Millet is used in folk medicine to improve the general condition of the body. Cereals help with the following diseases and conditions:

• frequent constipation;
• dropsy;
• prevention of kidney and bladder stones;
• increased regeneration of tissues, broken bones, damaged ligaments;
• atherosclerosis;
• diabetes;
• prevention of cancerous degeneration of cells with subsequent development of malignant neoplasms;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• pancreatitis.

However, when using folk remedies, one cannot refuse the main treatment with medications, since millet does not have pharmacological properties.

Recommendations for consuming millet for various diseases are presented in the table.

Application in cosmetology

The characteristics of millet allow it to be used as an effective cosmetic product that can be easily prepared at home.

For hair

Millet cereal prevents flaking of the skin on the scalp, so cereals are considered an effective product in the fight against dandruff. To prepare the mask you will need:

• 2 tbsp. l. millet flour;
• 1 tsp. olive oil;
• egg yolk;
• green tea extract.

All ingredients are mixed until smooth.The composition is evenly applied to the scalp, covered with cling film and wait 30 minutes. After this, the hair is washed with shampoo.

Millet extract for hair is made using:

• 40 ml of any vegetable oil;
• 30 g of warmed honey;
• 2 tbsp. l. ground millet.

The ingredients are mixed and applied to the hair roots and skin with light massage movements, covered with cling film. Wash off the product only after 60 minutes. The same mixture is used against split ends - apply it to a comb or simply lubricate the ends before going to bed.

To strengthen the hair roots, you need the following ingredients to prepare the mask:

• 1 tbsp. l. ground millet;
• 3 drops each of eucalyptus and cedar oil;
• 20 g liquid honey.

The mixture is rubbed into the scalp, a film is applied on top and left for 15 minutes. The product is washed off with shampoo.

For skin

Millet sprouts make a nourishing facial mask. To do this you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 tsp. avocado pulp;
• 1 tsp. crushed cereal crop.

The components are mixed until smooth, the finished product is applied to the skin of the face and neck. Wait 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Vegetable oils contained in products will protect the skin from peeling.

A mixture of:

• 4 tbsp. l. grape wine;
• 3 tbsp. l. boiled cereal.

The puree mass is applied to the face and left for 15 minutes, then the mixture is removed with a damp cloth. Face masks are done 2 times a week. To obtain results, apply the product for a month.

Other

Millet grains have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect, so you can use them to prepare a scrub against acne and blackheads. For this you will need:

• egg yolk;
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 100 g boiled millet.

The cereal is ground in a blender with the addition of a small amount of boiling water to obtain a semi-liquid homogeneous mass. After cooling, add yolk and vegetable oil to the mixture. The resulting scrub is used to treat the facial skin, avoiding the area around the eyes, 2-3 times a week in the morning and evening. Apply the product for 20 minutes, then wash off with soapy water.

In addition to the anti-acne effect, millet slows down the aging process. The active plant components contained in cereals enhance the production of collagen and elastin, which makes it possible to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles in the forehead, mouth and eyes.

To prepare an anti-aging product you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. l. ground cereal;
• 50 ml strong black tea;
• 0.5 tbsp. l. sunflower oil.

All components are thoroughly mixed, applied to problem areas and wait 25 minutes. Then the mask is washed off, and the facial skin is additionally moisturized with a nourishing cream.

Harm and contraindications

Despite its many beneficial properties, if used incorrectly, millet can cause harm to the body.

Abuse of the product leads to digestive problems:

• increased gas formation in the intestines;
• pain in the epigastric region;
• heaviness in the stomach;
• constipation

The negative effect is due to the high content of coarse fiber in millet. Dietary fiber is practically not digested in the stomach, absorbs excess liquid and swells. As a result, the passage of semi-digested food and feces through the intestines slows down, and smooth muscle peristalsis increases.

Attention! Due to its high carbohydrate content, consuming large amounts of millet can lead to excess weight.This is a high-calorie product: cereals are not recommended for people with obesity.

Millet is contraindicated in the following cases:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, ulcerative lesions, gastroenteritis, increased acidity of gastric juice, frequent heartburn, stool disorders;
• individual intolerance to the product;
• thyroid diseases;
• period of treatment with antibacterial drugs - millet accelerates the elimination of active substances, reducing the therapeutic effect of medications.

It is not recommended to consume millet cereals together with products containing iodine. Cereals interfere with the absorption of this element in the intestines.

Conclusion

To get maximum benefits, you should not consume more than 150 g of millet per day and eat it more than three times a week. To improve the digestion process, the product is eaten in the morning, because an evening meal can lead to heaviness in the stomach.

Proper intake of the product will provide the body with energy, slow down the development of chronic diseases and improve metabolism.