Barnyard Millet Benefits

The popularity of Barnyard Millet has surged in recent years due to its numerous health benefits.

In the ever-changing scenario of wellness and health, the Barnyard millet has emerged as the ‘It’ grain in recent years.

Barnyard millet is an age-old grain that possesses numerous health advantages. We often overlooked it over some other grains.

You know, as soon as we started exploring and getting deeper into the universe of grains, we found out that barnyard millet is a source of numerous nutrient-rich options that are rich in antioxidants.

Within this blog, you will learn all about Barnyard Millet benefits, nutritional value, uses, and how it impacts our body systems.

Here, we are also uncovering its numerous health benefits, advantages, and side effects. So, are you excited? Without any further delay, let’s start!

Barnyard Millet

Barnyard millet, whose scientific name is Echinochloa Esculenta, is an ancient grain that belongs to the poaceae family. It is a gluten-free grain that is round and small in size and is cultivated primarily in Asian countries like India, Japan, China, etc.

This resilient nutri-cereal crop is a drought-resistant crop that requires minimal water for cultivation. It is a staple ancient diet dating back thousands of years.

Barnyard Millet gained popularity because of the rise of health consciousness amongst people, making it a compelling addition to a health-conscious diet. It is also gaining ground for those suffering from lifestyle diseases, as it possesses power-packed nutrition, which is a must for a healthy lifestyle.

Barnyard Millet is packed with plenty of nutrients, which are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. It boosts important minerals like iron and phosphorus, which are essential for human health, and a range of vitamins too.

As it has a low glycemic index, which helps in managing diabetes, it becomes a perfect choice for those who want to manage their sugar level and are also looking for nutrition-based grains.

Barnyard millet is one of the native grains that supports Sattvik Movement, whose purpose is to popularize grains/food that are/is good for both humans and the environment.

             Barnyard Millet Benefits

Barnyard millet manages diabetes with a diet excluding high-glycemic grains. Optimal choices strengthen immunity, lower cholesterol, improve gut health, and aid weight management. Prioritize a balanced diet for overall well-being and effective diabetes management.

1. Managing Type II Diabetes

The research conducted by NCBI on Barnyard Millet shows or acknowledges that processed Barnyard Millet (after dehulling it and heating it) could be beneficial for managing blood sugar levels in Type II diabetes.

Barnyard millet has a low glycemic index and natural antioxidant (polyphenol) content, and if you take it in a balanced way with an appropriate quantity and not in excess, it will slowly release sugar into the bloodstreams, which will help in keeping blood sugar levels steady by preventing the spikes, making it a good choice or beneficial for individuals managing diabetes.

making it a valuable grain for people with diabetes. (This is a simpler, more general version)
This millet is friendly for people managing diabetes because it slowly releases sugar into the bloodstream and contains compounds that can prevent blood sugar surges. (This emphasizes the slow sugar release)
Thanks to its low glycemic index and polyphenols, barnyard millet helps keep blood sugar levels steady, making it a good choice for diabetics. (This keeps the core concept)

Its low glycemic index and polyphenol content inhibit the breakdown of complex sugars, helping control glucose spikes associated with diabetic conditions. In essence, this millet proves beneficial for individuals managing diabetes.

Only If you take it in balanced way with appropriate quantity not in excess

This acknowledges the potential benefit of barnyard millet on blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, but indicates ongoing research for a stronger claim.
Aids in managing blood sugar levels: This phrasing suggests that barnyard millet can be a helpful addition to a type 2 diabetes management plan.

after dehulling it canand contains low glycemic Index which

2. Maintains Heart Healthy

The diet whch include whole grains like barnyard millets may help in lowering risk of heart disease.

IIMR (Indian Institute of Millets Research) stated that the nutritional and healthy benefits that Barnyard Millet possesses is that it contains high degree of amylase retrogradation, which leads to the accumulation of a higher amount of resistant starch.

As it has increased resistant starch, which helps in the slow digestion process, that can be beneficial for people suffering from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

The magnesium portion contained in barnyard millet helps lower the blood pressure.

It is rich in high-fiber, which reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.

3. Combats Anaemia

Barnyard Millet contain/has  Plenty/Abundance of Iron which can fight anaemia.

Only If you consumed it in balanced way with appropriate quantity not in excess, it will supply important/essential/vital nutrients which are helpful/needed for maintaining healty metabolism.

integrate this Millet for fatique and energy deprive due to anaemia

4. Improve Skin and Hair Health

Barnyard Millet is an excellent source of antioxidants so, consuming it on regular basis can make notable diference in skin and hair health. As it content antioxidants like Phenols and flavonoids which are ideal for maintainig skin vitality. Moreover, it is also a good source of Iron and zinc which is very much helpful in contributing to stronger and healthier hair growth.

5. Ease Digestive disorders

Barnyard millet contains fiber and is packed with lots of nutrients. So, consuming it daily will only enhance your digestive wellness, lowering the risk of gastrointestinal issues arising in the body. By incorporating it, you are not only enhancing your digestive system but also your overall health.

Barnyard millet is anti-acidic in nature, so issues like constipation, bloating, cramping, gastric disorders, excess gas, and bowel-related issues do not have any scope to crop up as they are already eliminated. It also reduces the chances of conditions like colon cancer or gastric ulcers getting to your body.

6. Supports Weight Management/ Aids in Weight Loss

Millet which is naturally low in calories and gluten-free, makes them an ideal superfood for weight loss

Millets are packed with high dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants, and plenty of nutrients. So, incorporating it into your daily diet can aid in weight management because millets regulate appetite and keep you satiated for a longer period of time without increasing your daily calorie intake, which reduces the risk of overeating, which is what makes millets good for weight loss.

7. Source of Probiotic Fibre

Millets are rich in dietary fiber and contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. On the one hand, soluble fiber can lower cholestrol levels in the blood by trapping fat in the gut, which ultimately reduces the chance of heart disease.

On the other hand, an insoluble fiber is prebiotic, which means it supports good bacteria in the gut, which can reduce the chances of colon cancer.

Barnyard Millet nutrition

Barnyard Millet Cultivation

Benefits of Barnyard Millet

Barnyard Millet benefits and side effects

Barnyard Millet Nutritional Value per 100 gm

 

Uses of Barnyard Millet

As we already know, Barnyard Millet has plenty of healthy benefits, but here you will learn how we can use Barnyard Millet to make a range of dishes that are both healthy and nutritious. Whole barnyard millets are commonly used to make dosa, upma, rice dishes, kheer, porridge, etc.

Dosa: Barnyard millet can also be used to make crispy dosas, which are much healthier than the normal rice and lentil dosas we normally have or make. The batter for barnyard millet dosa is also very simple and easy to make, as it includes barnyard millets, urad dal, chana dal, poha, and meethi seeds. For a complete meal, consider stuffing the dosa with masala potato, paneer, or cheese. You can serve dosa with your preferred chutney and sambar.

Upma: With Barnyard Millet, you can make upma easily. It serves well with upma. First, soute mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Now fry the onion, green chili, ginger, and chopped vegetables along with the soute items, then add water and salt and bring the water to a boil. When the water starts boiling, add the soaked barnyard millet, cover the pan, or kadhai, and cook it for 10–12 minutes or until the water vanishes.

Kheer:

Rice: You can consume barnyard millet instead of your staple rice, but with healthier benefits. The taste and texture of barnyard millet are more or less the same as those of rice. You can cook barnyard millet with water just like we cook rice and serve it with dal, sambar, curries, or any other gravy as you like.

Porridge:

Millet Cake

Barnyard Millet Receipes for Good Health

Barnyard Millet Dosa Receipe

Ingredients :

• 1 cup Barnyard Millet
• 1/4 cup Urad Dal
• 1/4 cup poha
• 1/4 cup chana dal
• 1 teaspoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek)
• Himalayan Pink Salt to taste
• Oil or Ghee for frying
• Water as needed
• 1/2 cup Curd

1. Rinse and soak the millet, chana dal, poha, and methi seeds in a bowl of water for 4-5 hours.

2. Remove the soaked millets, chana dal, poha, and methi seeds from the water and grind them into a paste. After that, put the batter into a bowl, cover it with a lid, and leave it for 8 hours or overnight to ferment it. Let the batter double in volume and develop a slightly sour taste.

3. As the batter ferments, add pink salt, coriander, and some chopped ginger and mix it well.

4. Medium heat your dosa pan and sprinkle some water on it to check whether the pan is heated properly or not. Take a ladle full of batter and pour it into the pan, then swirl it around in a cirle with a ladle and pour oil or ghee on the edges so that it won’t stick on the pan.

5. Cook it in a medium-heated pan till it becomes crispier and a little bit golden brown in color. After it becomes crispier, flip it and cook the other side briefly.

Now, serve the barnyard millet dosa with chutney, sambhar, or podi.

Notes to enhance the receipe :

Add some green chillies, chopped ginger, and a and a little bit of chopped onion. curry leaves, along with coriander leaves and cumin deeds, into the batter and mix well.

Method :

Rinse millet, chana dal and poha with water , After that soak the millet, chana dal, poha and methi seeds into water for 5-6 hours.

Remove the soaked millets, chana dal, poha and methi seeds from the water and grind it into a paste. after that put the batter into a bowl and cover it with a lid and leave it for 8 hours or overnight to ferment it and let the batter double in volume and develop slightly sour in taste.

after the batter fermented add salt, coriander, and some chopped ginger and mix it well.

Now, heat the dosa pan and sprinkle some water to check whether the pan is heated properly or not. take a ladle full of batter and pour it into pan than swirl it around in a cirle with a ladle and pour oil or ghee on the edges so that it won’t stuck on the pan then cook it till in a medium heated pan till it become crispier and little bit of golden browny in colour. after it become crispier flip it and cook the other side briefly.

Now, serve the barnyard millet dosa with chutney, sambhar or podi.

Notes to enchance the receipe

add some green chillies, chopped ginger, little bit of  chopped onion. curry leaves along with coriander leaves, cumin deeds into the batter and mix well.

Barnyard Millet Pulao Receipe

Barnyard Millet Upma Receipe

Ingredients :

• 1 Cup Barnyard Millet
• 2 Cups water
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1- 2 tablespoon chana dal
• 1 teaspoon urad dal
• 1 big onion
• 3 tablespoon carrot finely chopped
• 5 beans finely chopped
• 2 Green Chilli, slit
• 1 teaspoon ginger very finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon broken cashews
• 1/2 teaspoon raisins
• 1 sprig of curry leaves
• Salt/Himalayan pink salt

To Saute

• 2 Tablespoon Cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 1-2 tablespoon Chana dal
• 1 teaspoon Urad dal
• 1 sprig of Curry leaves
• Pinch of asafoetida

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and soak the barnyard millet for 5-7 minutes in water, then drain the water completely and set it aside.
2. Heat a kadai, or fry pan, and pour oil into it. Now soute the items given under the soute list in order.
3. Now fry the onion, green chili, and ginger along with the soute list items and fry till the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add the chopped vegetables and fry them for 3 minutes on a low flame.
5. Now add water, salt, cashews, and raisin. Bring the water to a boil. Add the soaked Barnyard Millet to the boiling water.
6. Cover the pan or kadhai with a lid or plate and cook it for 10–12 minutes, or until the water dries up.

Barnyard Millet Fried Rice Receipe

Ingredients :

For the Barnyard Millet Rice

• 1 cup Barnyard Millet
• 2 cups water
• Salt/Pink salt to taste

For the Stir Fry

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic, chopped
• 1-2 fresh red chillies, chopped
• ½ cup spring onion bulb, chopped
• ¼ cup carrot, chopped
• ¼ cup french beans, chopped
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

For Garnish : Spring onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions :

1. Wash and soak the barnyard millet for 30 minutes in water, then drain the water and rinse it properly. Then set it aside.

2. In a pan, boil two cups of water, add the soaked millets, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer for 8–10 minutes on medium heat, or until all the water has been absorbed and the millets are cooked.

3. Now rinse the cooked millet, drain it completely, and spread it out on a big plate to cool off.

4. Heat a fry pan and pour oil into it. Now, sauté the chopped ginger and garlic until fragrant and golden brown.

5. Now fry the onion and green chili along with the remaining stir-fry items given under the stir-fry list in order and cook on medium heat until the vegetables are cooked and turn crunchy.

6. Season the vegetables with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, and finally, add cooked millet and stir all the items until they are properly mixed.

7. Garnish with chopped spring onions, and serve hot!

Barnyard Millet Tikki/Patty

Barnyard Millet Halwa

As we all know, Barnyar Millet is rich in dietry fiber, which is good for the digestive system. This barnyard millet halwa is an extremely easy and delicious dessert recipe that you can try today. It is an absolutely mouth-watering dessert, which you will enjoy a lot! Halwa is prepared with barnyard millet and sweetened with jaggery to satiate your sweet tooth. It’s time to indulge guilt-free!

Ingredients :

• 1 cup barnyard millet
• 4 tbsps ghee
• 7-8 cashew nuts
• 12-15 raisins
• ¾ cup jaggery
• ½ tsp green cardamom powder

Cooking Method :

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a nonstick pan, add cashew nuts and raisins, and sauté until golden brown in color. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, add barnyard millet and roast until golden brown in color or fragrant. Add 2 cups of water and let it come to a boil. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes, or till done.
3. Add jaggery and cook till the jaggery melts. Add ghee, half of the fried nuts, and green cardamom powder; mix well.
4. Serve hot, garnished with fried nuts.

1. Heat 2 tbsps ghee in a non stick pan, add cashew nuts and raisins, sauté until golden brown in colour. Set aside.
2. In the same pan add barnyard millet and roast until golden brown in colour or fragrant. Add 2 cups water and let it come to boil, cover and cook for 10-15mins or till done.
3. Add jaggery and cook till the jaggery melts. Add ghee, half of the fried nuts and green cardamom powder, mix well.
4. Serve hot garnished with fried nuts.

Roast barnyard millet in ghee until you get a fragrance. Add water and cook till it gets thickens. Mix jaggery and serve with a spoonful of ghee and dry fruits roasted in ghee.

Barnyard Millet Kheer Receipe

Millet Kheer Ingredients :

• ¼ cup Barnyard millet/Samak Rice
• 4 cups milk
• 2 tbsps ghee
• 1 tbsp finely chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp finely chopped almonds
• 1 tbsp finely chopped cashew nuts
• ¼ cup sugar/ Date Puree
• ¼ tsp green cardamom powder
• Blanched, peeled, and slivered pistachios for garnish
• Pinch of Saffron strands.

Cooking Method :

1. Bring milk to a boil in a deep non-stick pan. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a non-stick shallow pan. Add charoli, pistachios, almonds, and cashew nuts and saute for 1-2 minutes. Transfer on a plate.
3. Heat remaining ghee in the same pan, add the Barnyard millet and saute for 2-3 minutes. Transfer this into the boiling milk and mix well. Cook for 10-12 minutes while stirring in between.
4. Add sugar, mix and cook till the sugar melts. Add nutmeg powder, green cardamom powder, and roasted nuts and mix till well combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Transfer the kheer in a serving bowl, garnish with blanched pistachios, and saffron strands.

1. Heat 1 Tablespoon of ghee in a low-medium-heated pan, add barnyard millet, and sauté for 3–4 minutes till aromatic and fragrant. Set aside to cool it down.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a non-stick shallow pan. Now, add the almonds, pistachios, and cashew and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl or plate.

3. Bring the milk to a boil in a low-heated pan. Now, add the roasted barnyard millet to the boiling milk and mix well. Keep cooking and stirring for 15–20 minutes.

4. Add sugar, cook, and mix well till the sugar dissolves. Now add the roasted nuts, saffron strands, and green cardamom powder and keep mixing it till it is well combined. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. Turn off the heat, transfer the kheer to a serving bowl, and garnish with blanched pistachios and saffron strands.

Note: How to make Barnyard Millet Kheer without sugar

First, add dates along with a cup of hot milk in a medium-sized bowl and let them soak for 10–15 minutes, or till the dates turn soft and tender. Add the soaked dates to a blender along with the milk, and blend till smooth and creamy. Keep this aside.

Now, at the time of adding sugar to the kheer, add the date puree instead of sugar, and all the other ingredients remain the same, which was mentioned above in point 4. Mix well, and stir constantly for around 2 more minutes. Date purée is going to thicken it up.

INSTRUCTIONS
1- In a medium sized bowl, add dates along with a cup of hot milk and let them soak for 10-15 minutes or till the dates turn soft and tender. Add the dates in a blender along with the milk, and blend till smooth and creamy. Keep this aside.
2- Heat up ghee in a low-medium heated pan. Add millet, stir and roast for around 3-4 minutes till aromatic. Allow to cool for sometime.
3- Now heat up milk on low heated pan. Add in the roasted millet followed by almonds, cashews, pistachios, and saffron and cook till the milk thickens and the millet is completely cooked ( it takes about 15-20 minutes ). Stir at intervals so that the millet doesn’t get burned and stick to the bottom.
4- Once the kheer thickens and seems like almost done, add cardamom, raisins and the dates purée. Mix well and Stir constantly for around 2 more minutes. Date purée is going to thicken it up further more. Turn off the heat, transfer the kheer in a serving bowl, garnish with more nuts and enjoy!!

Side Effects of Barnyard Millets

There are numeous health benefits of barnyard millet only If you take it in balanced way with appropriate quantity not in excess, there are some side effects of barnyard millet too which you have to keep in your mind while consuming it.

Here, we will see the probable side effects of barnyard millet which can arise and ways to reduce them/reduce the risk of it occurance/mitigate them/alleviate them.

Thyroid Function

Just like other millets, Barnyard Millet also contains a substance called goitrogen! that interferes with the functioning of the thyroid gland. Goitrogen disrupts the production of thyroid hormones and also obstructs iodine intake, incorporation, and assimilation.

As the thyroid gland cannot properly utilize iodine, a deficiency of iodine arises in the body, which is a significant health problem that leads to the development of an enlarged thyroid gland. It is advised to take millet in moderate amounts because excessive consumption can lead to adverse effects.

Digestion Discomfort

Just like most of the millets, barnyard millet is super rich in fiber too, as it is high in fibre. which led to delayed digestion due to their slow digestibility, which is very helpful in weight management, but not for people who are suffering from intestinal disorders because they can have difficulty digesting it.

Or

Just like most of the millets, barnyard millet is super rich in fibre too, as it is high in fibre. So, it led to delayed digestion due to their slow digestibility, which is very helpful in weight management, but not for people who are suffering from intestinal disorders because they can have difficulty digesting it.

Allergies

Although consuming barnyard millet is safe for most individuals, some may experience an allergic reaction after consuming it. If you experience any symptoms such as skin rashes, swelling, itching, or breathing difficulties, then immediately discontinue taking/using it and seek medical advice.

Oxalate content

Barnyard millet contains Oxalates compound. This type of compound naturally form Kidney stones in individuals who have a history of kidney stones or prone to developing one. it is advisable to moderate your food intake which are oxalate in nature.

As an oxalates compound is present in barnyard millet, individuals who have a history of kidney stones or are prone to developing one. It is advisable to moderate your food intake or completely avoid eating foods that are oxalate in nature.

Nutrition Absorbtion

In general phytic acid interrupt absorption of minerals in the body. As barnyard Millet contain phytic acid which is going to hinder the absorption of minerals like zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium into the body.

This obstruction lead to many mineral deficiencies in the body, To counter this, you have to pair it with vitamin C enrich vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppers etc

Alternatively, soaking, sprouting and fermenting barnyard millet can reduce the phytic acid present in it. 

Barnyard millet in Hindi

Barnyard millet in Marathi

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Barnyard Millet in Telugu

barnyard millet in telugu

Barnyard Millet in Kannada

Barnyard Millet in Gujarati

FAOs : Barnyard Millet

What is barnyard millet called in India ?

What is barnyard millet good for ?

Is barnyard millet samak rice?

Is barnyard millet and foxtail millet same ?

Who should not eat barnyard Millet ?

Although barnyard millet is good for health but people who have thyroid issue,intestinal disorders, history of kidney stones or any kind of allergies relating to grains should avoid consuming it or take it in moderate quantity.

Can we replace rice with barnyard millet ?

Should barnyard millet be soaked ?

Does barnyard millet causes gas ?

How do you eat barnyard Millet ?

What is the local name of Barnyard Millet ?