Millet: composition, benefit and harm, application

Grain prosynoy culture for more than three thousand years.Throughout this time, millet groats were used in cooking, medicine, cosmetology, animal husbandry, and plant growing. A wide range of applications due to the favorable set of useful substances and properties of this product.

The homeland of millet is China. This grain crop has been grown in these parts since time immemorial. Through the "Silk Road" millet was transported to Europe, Africa, and then the Americas. From it was prepared millet groats, the famous "millet". The export of millet brought considerable profit to the countries of the East, so it was valued above rice.

Over time, this type of cereal learned to cultivate in the countries of Indochina, India and Africa. High resistance to drought and other adverse environmental conditions has added popularity to this grass in the Middle Ages. Much time has passed since then, and millet is still in great demand all over the world.

The grains of the millet grain are oval, small in size: the length is 2 millimeters, the width is one and a half millimeters, and the thickness is about two millimeters. Ball-like grains are used to make cereals. Outside, they are protected by special films that are easily peeled off from the base when peeling off. These protective films are formed from hollow cells of special strength, which contain essential acids, cellulose, pentozan, and also mineral compounds, among which are all the necessary substances and trace elements.

Under the ovules there is a cereal kernel covered with transparent shells that do not contain pigment cells. Its characteristic light yellow millet color is due to the internal pigment of the endosperm.

Under the colorless shells is the aleurone layer, rich in fat, protein and minerals. On the surface of the grain is an embryo containing the bulk of fat, protein and sugars. The center of the grain is the endosperm, consisting of a polygonal structure of the elements of starch and nutrients. The mealy or vitreous core gives millet a color: from light yellow to orange. Bright croup is most useful.

Millet, as a product, has many useful properties. Nature has endowed him with a balanced set of vitamins, minerals, micro-and macronutrients, as well as plant hormones, plant-stem cells and a complex of polyunsaturated fats.

It contains vitamins:

• phylloquinone, vitamin K - 0.3 mg;
• beta carotene, vitamin A - 0.002 mg;
• thiamine, vitamin B1 - 0,106 mg;
• choline, vitamin B4 - 11.2 mg;
• Riboflavin, vitamin B2 - 0.82 mg;
• Niacin, vitamin B3 - 1.33 mg;
• Pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 - 0.171 mg;
• folic acid or vitamin B9 - 19 µg;
• Bunch: Lutein / Zaaksantin - 70 mcg.

100 grams of cooked millet contains daily essential and non-essential amino acids:

• valine - 0.184 g;
• isoleucine - 0.148 g;
• histidine - 0.075 g;
• leucine - 0.446 g;
• glutamic acid - 0.763 g;
• methionine - 0.07 g;
• phenylalanine - 0.185 g;
• tryptophan - 0.038 g;
• threonine - 0.113 g
• glycine - 0.92 g;
• Proline - 0.279 g;
• serine - 0.206 g;
• tyrosine - 0.108 g;
• cysteine ​​- 0.67 g

Fatty acids: omega-3 - 0.028 g, omega-6 - 0.48 g

The composition of the finished product of wheat includes macronutrients:

• magnesium - 44 mg;
• phosphorus - 100 mg;
• potassium - 195 mg;
• calcium - 8 mg;
• silicon - 75.4 mg;
• sodium - 5 mg;
• sulfur - 0.81 mg;
• chlorine - 24 mg.

As well as trace elements:

• aluminum - 100 µg;
• barium - 12 mcg;
• boron - 228 mcg;
• bromine - 39 mcg;
• vanadium - 170 mcg;
• iodine - 4.5 mcg;
• cobalt - 5.8 mcg;
• lithium - 7.2 mcg;
• iron 0.63 mg;
• copper - 161 mcg;
• Zinc - 0.91 mg;
• selenium - 0.9 mg;
• manganese - 0,272 mg and others.

100 grams of millet in its pure form contains 334 calories. Moreover, the boiled grain in porridge contains only 90 Kcal. The protein content in the finished product - 3.5 grams, fat - 1 gram, carbohydrates - 23.7 grams, and dietary fiber - 1.2 grams and about 72 grams of water. As you can see, the difference in calories is very significant. This is explained by the fact that during cooking, the ligaments of complex sugars with starch are partially destroyed. No one, of course, will eat raw cereal, but it’s still worth knowing.

Crumbly porridge from millet on water has a slightly higher caloric content - 135 kilocalories. And in a hundred gram portion of sweet milk porridge contains 123.5 Kcal. The most nutritious porridge is obtained in a multicooker - 135 Kcal.

With relatively low caloric content, millet is very viscous and has high nutritional properties. Therefore, cereals are used in various diets. Millet diet is low-cost and very effective, cereals are often included in the menu of people who are overweight, as a way to lose weight. The body at the same time receives all the necessary elements, and without prejudice to the health of the person loses excess weight. Another good news for those who want to lose weight with the help of millet: pounds lost with the help of this diet, do not return.

The main products of the millet diet: cereals, vegetables and kefir. Using them in boiled quality, without oil, with a minimum salt content, you can lose up to three kilograms per week. Vegetables are preferably cucumbers, tomatoes and asparagus. Greens are welcome in any quantity.

The benefits of millet for the human body is huge. The presence of magnesium and phosphorus stabilizes the cardiovascular, hematopoietic and excretory systems of a person, helps to normalize metabolic processes in the body, has a sedative and nootropic actions. Reduces blood pressure, eliminates insomnia.

Contributes to the cure of diseases:

• atherosclerosis;
• ischemia;
• heart failure;
• hypertension;
• stroke and heart attack;
• pancreatitis;
• cholecystitis;
• gastritis and ulcers;
• constipation;
• pyelonephritis and cystitis;
• prostatitis and prostate adenoma;
• impotence;
• breast cancer.

Dietary fibers that make up the product contribute to the elimination of toxins, normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system, help reduce blood cholesterol levels, improve blood rheology. The vitamin-mineral complex, which acts as a protective barrier, strengthens the immune system, produces natural antioxidants in the natural environment of the body, and improves the regulation of metabolism. The complex with biotin and complex carbohydrates stops the growth of malignant cells, helps reduce the development of inflammatory and oncological processes. Millet is prescribed for regular consumption by people employed in hazardous industries, as well as patients in the process of radiation therapy, as a tonic and restorative remedy.

Millet products must necessarily be included in the diet of diabetics and people suffering from various metabolic disorders. And children just need to eat delicious millet gruel with or without milk, as sweet dishes with jam, nuts and fruits.

Residents of regions with adverse conditions, near power plants, nuclear reactors and in areas with increased radiation, you need to regularly use wheat in any form. It contributes to the removal of radionuclides, free radicals and heavy metals that accumulate in the human body over time. Grain of millet is very useful for the liver, cleanses the blood and lymph.

It has soothing, cleansing and restorative properties. Among other things, dishes from this cereal contribute to the regeneration of cells, tissues and lead the body to self-position. Women are advised to use millet during pregnancy. The mineral composition of the cereal ensures the normal development of the fetus, and a balanced complex of vitamins and amino acids gives strength and energy.

Millet products are useful for both women and men. Due to the properties of enhancing blood circulation, they are able to restore potency, promote healing of prostatitis and prostate adenoma. Regular consumption of dishes from wheat normalizes sexual function, helping to improve the quality of life.

Amino acids leucine and valine help to cope with chronic constipation and hemorrhoids. Lithotropic substances remove excess fluid, helping to cope with the swelling of different etiologies. Vitamin and mineral complex contributes to the removal of inflammatory processes and their consequences. Antioxidants and dietary fibers, which are part of the grain, contribute to the removal of toxic substances after a course of antibiotic therapy, accelerate the healing of wounds, abrasions, postoperative sutures and cuts.

Despite its benefits, millet groats also have a number of contraindications. Thus, it is better to refuse its use to persons suffering from hypothyroidism (diseases of the thyroid gland), diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with low content of acidity, gastritis, hemorrhoids and chronic constipation, as well as in late pregnancy.

There is one feature due to which the grain is poorly stored. The fact is that vegetable fat contained in the embryo has a high acidity, therefore it deteriorates quickly. During processing it goes as an additional ingredient in vegetable oil. In the food industry all parts of the grain crop are used: husks, polished grain, squeezes of vegetable fat. Oyster mushrooms are grown on the husk, used as a fertilizer; cereal is used to prepare various dishes and as a food base in animal husbandry; oils, esters and their compounds are used in perfumery, cosmetology and other industries.

You can cook various culinary dishes from millet groats, as well as medicines, tinctures and decoctions, and even interesting hand-made crafts.

Millet porridge is simply brewed: a glass of cereal is taken two glasses of milk and the same amount of water. First, pick the croup, rinse and soak in warm water, then put the water in a saucepan on the fire. After boiling, put the cereal into the pan, salt it, reduce the heat and close the lid. In this form, porridge is cooked for 10 minutes, until the water is evaporated. Then open the lid, add milk and let on a slow fire for another 7 minutes. In the finished porridge add butter to taste.

You can cook the cereal as a side dish in this way: put a pot of water and cereal on the fire, cook for 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly and removing excess foam. Then add salt, cover and reduce heat, cook for another 10 minutes.The finished grits need to be washed and dried, then the garnish will be crumbly and without bitterness in the taste. You can fill with any sauces and spices to taste.

You can also cook jelly from millet cereals. It is based on cereal broth, which is prepared in the usual way: a glass of cereal is cooked in three glasses of water. Then the croup is filtered, and half a glass of dissolved potato starch and a glass of sugar are added to the broth. In the pot you need to pour a little water and put fresh wild berries: cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, currants or gooseberries. Stirring gently, stir over low heat to medium density. Leave under the lid for a while. This jelly can eat with a spoon.

Few people know that coffee brewed on millet broth loses some caffeine. Such a drink can, without harm to health, even drink hypertensive patients and people with cardiovascular diseases.

In addition to cooking, millet is used for medicinal purposes. Know the use of decoction for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema. For this, a plaster is prepared from grains steamed in hot water: a glass of boiling water - one tablespoon of cereal, stew for 30 minutes. And taken only whitish suspension from the bottom of the glass. This thick slurry is impregnated with gauze or a sterile bandage, which is then applied to the affected area, fixed with adhesive tape and covered with cellophane and a towel on top. The composition is kept until dry. Then everything is removed, and the skin is treated with serum with a few drops of propolis tincture.

For the treatment of lichen use foam, taken when boiling cereal, which you need to treat the affected areas daily.

From colored cereals, you can create real works of art. In groups of children's creativity, this method of creating plasticine-based paintings is practiced. Groats are bought in a regular store. In addition to her need paints, brushes, clay and colored paper. Sprigs, bumps, shells, buttons can also be useful, in short, everything that will be at hand.

First, a thick layer of clay is applied to the cardboard. Separately prepare a colorful decor, painting with watercolors or gouache millet seeds, give them to dry. Having defined a pattern or ornament, you can get to work. Like radiant rainbow beads, croup transforms the surface of a leaf into a magical picture or any natural landscape. Now it is no longer just a piece of cardboard, but a real masterpiece that can decorate any interior.

Wheat is especially good in some dishes.

Try to cook a lean soup with fresh vegetables and herbs. This healthy and tasty dish can be served hot or cold. It is quickly prepared and will be appreciated by your household.

To prepare four servings of soup you will need: four medium peeled potatoes, onions, cut into half rings, fresh carrots with tops, vegetable oil, half a cup of millet groats, salt, spices (turmeric, nutmeg on the tip of a knife) Separately prepared sauce: a glass of sour cream mixed with soy sauce.

The croup is soaked, washed thoroughly and set to cook over medium heat. When boils, remove the foam and continue to cook until done. Then the cereal is taken out and put in a separate dish, vegetables are added to the cereal broth. Potatoes and carrots should be put entirely. So the dish will preserve the whole bouquet of flavors and its special taste. If the carrots and potatoes are too large, they can be cut into large pieces.

Green tops shred and sent to the vegetables the second approach, after about 10 minutes.Onions with spices and salt are fried separately in butter until golden brown and then added to the saucepan with the soup. Everything is ready and insisted. Delicious and healthy dish is ready. Served with sour cream sauce and croutons.

Millet porridge can be cooked in the oven in the old way, as it was baked in the oven. For the process, you will need a set of ceramic cocottes (pots) - 4 pieces, a kilogram of millet grains, vegetable oil - 3 tablespoons, water, salt, pepper, a big onion and hard cheese - 300 grams.

First, the cereal is boiled, as usual, on the stove in a saucepan. Then decomposed in pots. Separately caramelized onion with spices and grated cheese on a large grater. Vegetable dressing with cheese placed on top of cereal. When baking, a golden crust with a unique aroma will be created. All cocottes are placed in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.

You can make a casserole of millet in the microwave. This dish is good to meet "sudden" guests. It is cooked easily and quickly. For this you need: 500 grams of cereals, low-fat cottage cheese - 250 grams, three eggs, a pinch of salt, half a cup of sugar, raisins - 50 grams, vanilla, cinnamon and apple syrup - to taste.

First you need to boil the cereal, as usual, then add the cottage cheese, eggs, pounded with sugar and vanilla, steamed raisins and cinnamon on the tip of a knife. Everything is baked in a special dish in the microwave on the appropriate mode. The finished dish is served on a portion of plates with apple syrup, as a dessert for tea.

Try to make from millet cheese balls that children really like. It is necessary to take a kilogram of boiled wheat, a head of garlic, grated on a fine grater, salt and pepper to taste. All ingredients are mixed in a special dish until smooth. Balls are formed from the resulting mass, rolling them in grated cheese. The dish does not require additional heat treatment. Its shape and quality depends on the consistency of the original product: it must be sticky and viscous. But you can also fry the balls.

Millet groats has long been famous for its healing properties. In folk medicine, its use is very wide.

The use of millet as a mattress base in beds of bed patients rescues from bedsores, draining the patient's tissues and exerting a light massage effect.

Millet grain was used in ancient times as a dressing material. Millet in bags was wrapped around the patient’s wounds for speedy healing.

With a strong cold and cold, it is recommended to warm up the sinuses of the nose with heated millet in turn: left and right. The procedure should not be carried out in the acute phases of inflammatory processes for sinus, frontal and otitis.

When cracking heels and feet, it is recommended to do a peeling with millet, for which you need to put it in cloth socks and walk around the house for a while. The procedure should be repeated daily and after a few days there will be a noticeable improvement. In addition, there will be an additional massage effect of the reflexogenic zones of the feet, which will have a beneficial effect on overall well-being.

Millet grasses are able to cope with the fungus, herpes and papillomas. The infusions are prepared as follows: in half a liter of water, unslaced millet in a shell is drawn for two weeks. The resulting infusion process the affected parts of the body, causing papillomas and warts with an ear stick. A medical film is formed on the sore points, which disappears together with dead tissue and the virus after 30 days.

For the treatment of cystitis brewed millet is used. In a small container with a lid pour a glass of cereal with very hot water (not boiling water!).It is necessary to calculate the amount of water so that you can beat the foam. Within a few minutes, you need to shake the bottle vigorously, without having forgotten to screw the cap back. The finished suspension is divided into three parts and drunk in small sips half an hour before meals. On the day you need to drink the entire solution, and the next day to prepare fresh.

With increased pressure, you need to place a tablespoon of millet in a glass of water and drink immediately.

For the treatment of pyelonephritis take half a cup of cereal broth three times a day, before meals.

A decoction also cures conjunctivitis, washing the eyes from the outer corner to the inner corner every three hours.

When pancreatitis is prepared well boiled millet porridge, adding pumpkin or linseed oil to it.

Tachycardia is treated with grain calcined in a frying pan, from which porridge is boiled without salt in proportions: two-thirds of the water for a third cup of cereal.

Antihelminthic properties of millet husk are known. Her brew and drink like tea. The drink removes parasites, gently enveloping the stomach and intestines.

Collected recipes do not end there. Millet is still not just a useful dish, but also an inexhaustible well of health and longevity among many nations. Throughout the entire period of history, starting with the sign of the appearance of this grass, more and more new ways of using it appear.

How to use a decoction of millet for medicinal purposes, see the following video.