A lot of people have this misconception that millet is something which is only meant as bird food. Actually, the history of this grain can be traced back to the time of the Bible when it was mentioned as a ‘treasured crop’, and millet was used in ancient times as a main ingredient for bread and as cereal grain.
Hulled millet is available in white, yellow, red and gray varieties. A cup of cooked millet contains 35% of the manganese that the body needs. It is also rich in trytophan, magnesium and phosphorus. Millet can actually used instead of oats for its benefits to the heart.
The magnesium content of millet helps lower your blood pressure level and reduces migraine and asthma attacks. It also helps in the fight against type 2 diabetes, prevents gallstones and helps prevent the risks of certain cancers.
Millet can be cooked and used to replace rice and potatoes. Ground millet can replace flour in your bread and other baked goods recipes. It is also an alternative to couscous for your Italian dishes.