16 Amazing Ways In Which Foxtail Millets Benefits Our Health

Millets are great source of dietary fiber and several nutrients and minerals that makes them a healthy food source⁽¹³⁾. There are different types of millets and foxtail millets are one of them having some really potential health benefits⁽¹³⁾. In this current post, we will talk about some of the best health benefits of foxtail millets.

Foxtail millets are one of the oldest of all the millets that are being cultivated. It is found from some records that foxtail millets have their origin from China⁽¹⁾. From the country of China, foxtail millet is spread towards the west of Europe.

Foxtail millet is loaded with dietary fiber, rich in protein and is quite low in fat content⁽²⁾. Foxtail millet steadily releases glucose without affecting the body’s metabolism⁽³⁾. Foxtail millets are known to be very beneficial in preventing diabetes and treating several ill health conditions⁽⁹⁾. Foxtail millets are also rich in carbohydrates. These types of millets are strong in their taste and are primarily used in preparing porridges or flatbreads.

Foxtail millet has an impressive nutritional profile. About 100 g of foxtail millet contains 12 g of moisture, 351 calories, 11.2 g of protein, 63.2 g of carbohydrates, 6.7 g of fiber, 1764 g of Leucine, 803 g of Isoleucine, 103 g of Tryptophan, 328 g of Threonine, 233 g of Lysine, 0.6 g of Thiamin, 3.2 g of Niacin, 2.8 g of Iron, 31 mg of calcium, 4 g of Lipid fat, and 0.1 mg of Riboflavin.

One of the finest health benefits of foxtail millets is its benefit for the heart health. Foxtail millets have the ability to regulate as well as lower the levels of blood sugar of the body⁽⁵⁾; and this in turn reduces the chances of blockages in the heart, which causes cardiac arrest. Heart attacks occur because the heart’s arterial walls get blocked. Low content of sugar in the blood lowers such risks of blockages thus improving heart health.

One more health benefit of foxtail millets is that it fights and prevents diabetes. Those who suffer from diabetes and take foxtail millets display lower levels of triglyceride in their blood. This lowers the amount of bad cholesterol or LDL. Foxtail millets have low glycemic index, which means that they can be great substitute for rice and several other grains that might increase the level of sugar in the blood as energy is slowly released. Moreover, foxtail millets contain excellent amounts of vitamins and minerals and are also rich in amino acids; which make it a really healthy diabetic food.

Foxtail millets are loaded with abundant amount of antioxidants, primarily the Tryptophan, and this helps in fighting against the damage caused by free radicals and thus lowering the oxidative stress. Moreover, Foxtail Millets even aid in relieving stress-related ailments, such as hypertension, anxiety, depression as well as headaches. Apart from this, foxtail millets even work great in relieving sleep disorders, such as insomnia and also migraine.

Being a gluten-free diet, foxtail millet is naturally good for your overall health; as it improves digestion, increases the level of energy in the body and also assists in altering the levels of cholesterol. This unique benefit of Foxtail millet helps in eliminating germs and viruses in the body.

Foxtail Millets is rich in calcium content and is thus beneficial for strengthening your bones. Foxtail Millets even contain vitamin D and consuming foxtail millet helps in developing bones in children and helps support and maintain bone health in adults. Sprouted foxtail millets are known to fight diseases like osteoporosis and can also reduce the risk of bone fractures.

There is the presence of an amino acid, known as Tryptophan in foxtail millets, which trims your appetite and also aids in tightening the belly. Foxtail millet is digested slowly and thus keeps you away from consuming extra calories. The fiber content found in foxtail millets keeps you feeling full and this in turn controls excessive consumption of food thus helping with weight loss.

One of the health benefits of foxtail millets could also be its benefit in preventing cancer. Women can reduce the chances of breast cancer easily by consuming more than 30 g of fiber daily. Research has shown that fiber is the best and easiest way to prevent breast cancer in women.

Among all the finest benefits of foxtail millets, is the benefit for brain health. The iron content found in Foxtail Millets helps with the development of brain. Foxtail Millets supplies oxygen to your brain and when adequate amount of oxygenated blood is received by the brain, it promotes cognitive functions and also prevents diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Foxtail millets help in improving concentration and enhancing memory power. The Vitamin B1 present in Foxtail Millets helps in this task. Foxtail Millets aids in managing nervous ailments, like Bell’s palsy and also multiple sclerosis. Vitamin B1 is even called morale vitamin, which offers a positive impact on the nervous system and also supports mental perspective.

Foxtail millets also benefit in treating restless leg syndrome. Iron deficiency in the body results in the occurrence of restless leg syndrome. Taking adequate amount of this iron supplement in the form of Foxtail Millets helps in curing restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is associated with muscle spasms, which is the primary symptom of iron deficiency⁽¹²⁾.

There is another health benefit of foxtail millet; and it is that it helps in curing muscle weakness. Iron is very important for proper maintenance of the muscle health. Iron is present in the muscle tissues and helps in transporting oxygen, which is most important for the contraction of muscle. Iron deficiency results in the loss of elasticity in the muscle and it may also result in anemia.

Foxtail millets are known for having excellent anti-aging properties. You can smoothen your skin by adding this type of millet to your diet; because of the presence of amino acid, like methionine and lysine in foxtail millets, aid in the collagen formation and helps in slowing the appearance of wrinkles.

Foxtail millets trigger the digestive function and helps in better digestion. Foxtail millets also treat digestive disorders and is beneficial for relieving stomachache. The dietary fiber found in foxtail millets is a great way to cure indigestion.

Foxtail millet has one more health benefit, and it is the benefit to the spleen function. Foxtail millets actually enhance the functioning of spleen and keep several types of spleen diseases at bay.

Foxtail millets are also important for hair health. Foxtail millets are helpful in maintaining the hair health as well as preventing the hair from damage. Protein has a crucial role in the hair growth. Because of the beneficial effects of foxtail millets, many hair care products make use of the protein found in foxtail millets.

There are also multiple skin health benefits of foxtail millets, which must not be ignored. Proteins support and also strengthen the tissues in the body, like skin which constantly tears. Collagen is known to be the vital protein that strengthens cells, tissues and organs, which are essential for the revitalization. The rich amount of collage protein present in foxtail millets gives you healthy, wrinkle-free and youthful skin.

Below are couple of precautions that need to be taken care of before using foxtail millets.

1. There may be allergic reactions due to foxtail millets, in case of sensitive people. So, you need to avoid foxtail millets if you experience allergic reactions.
2. You need to consume foxtail millets only in moderate or limited amounts.

Being loaded with so many healthy nutrients with known health benefits, foxtail millets are definitely the food to be added in your daily diet. So why not go for it?

References:  

Also Read:

• 16 Health Benefits Of Bajra Or Millets