Kodo Millet Benefits: How This Superfood Can Transform Your Health!

Kodra, Kodo, Varagu, Harka, Arika, or Kodo Millet – known by many names but cherished for one purpose: nutrition. It is a story that began some 3,000 ago, got lost in the dripping fat of fast-food culture, and found its place again. 

Soaked with immense nutrition, Kodo has been cherished for thousands of years. Thought to be indigenous to India, these grains are an essential part of the Indian diet. And for all the good reasons. It is rich in protein, antioxidants, and other nutrients. 

But this is not all. 

Its benefits are as many as these grains coming from a single plant – numerous. If you are looking to let these grains infuse your life with health, healing, and happiness, let’s learn everything that there is to be known about them.

On the proposal of the Indian government, the UN declared 2023 to be celebrated as the International Year of Millets.

Kodo Millet: A Stream of Nutrition

When and where the story began is not known, but it was somewhere in the Deccan Plateau region, anywhere in Maharashtra or southern Rajasthan. Maybe a man accidentally ate these grains and felt good, maybe these grains fell in the boiling water and tasted good, or maybe they were well studied and then tried. We do not know how it started. But we know that it is delicious, super nutritious, and fulfilling. How much? Let’s have a look. ^[1]

Kodo Millet – nutritional value – 100 grams

Nutritious, right?

But our ancestors did not know anything about sodium, phosphorous, or B3 at all. What they depended on was their experience. They ate it, cherished it, and felt the good changes happening within. Since then, it has spread throughout the world. And by what names? Let’s look at it.

Outside India, Kodo millet is also known as:

• Cow grass
• Rice grass
• Ditch millet
• Native paspalum
• Indian crown grass

And just as it enters India, it takes the language of the culture it is cooked in. 

Names of Kodo Millet in different Indian Languages

The reasons it is called Kodo have two possible reasons. Some say that it got its name from its Sanskrit form ‘Koradoosh’, which means grains that have awns. Whatever it is, it doesn’t change its nutritional value. ^[2]

Let’s now look at why you must include it in your diet.

Small but Mighty – The surprising benefits of super-nutritious Kodo millets

Let’s start with the beginning when paths used to be forest trails, homes made of mud and thatch, and food freshly cooked. The Vedic period was a ceaseless seeking of knowledge, wisdom, and better living. 

Ayurveda saw medicinal properties in Kodo millet. It was then called ‘langhana’. And of course, langhana had a bright meaning behind it – bringing lightness to life and being. 

Kodo millet, according to Ayurveda, came under Trina Dhanya Varga. It means grains coming from grass-like plants. Traditional Indian medicine found numerous therapeutic properties in them. These grains healed wounds quickly, boosted energy, helped with blood sugar, and whatnot. 

India is among the top 3 millet-producing countries in the world. The other two are Nigeria and China. 

Today, modern science is proving all that was traditionally said. Alongside this, it is also finding many other benefits that come from eating these grains. Let’s have a look at the many benefits of kodo millets:

1. Helps in having healthy digestion and weight 

Earlier, people used to suffer from skinniness; now, people suffer from obesity. That stubborn belly fat just doesn’t go. Upon it, those love handles hanging down, thighs getting excessively puffed up, all these things are a sign of worry. Most often it happens due to improper diet. 

Now, what is an improper diet? Here is what it looks like

• Calorie-dense that does not offer any nutrition at all
• Contains unhealthy fats such as trans and saturated fats
• Too much sugar content 
• Doesn’t contain any fibre 
• And is too much in terms of portion

Examples include fast foods, processed foods, sugary drinks, baked foods, etc. 

Kodo millet is high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, protein, and taste (if you are a good cook). Where its fibre content cleans your gut and improves bowel movements, its protein keeps you feeling fulfilled for longer. As a result, you avoid overeating. This same fibre also reduces the cases of stomach cramps, bloating, flatulence, and all that smells bad. Your stomach feels light and happy.

Also, it has a low glycaemic index, which means your body won’t suffer from blood sugar spikes. Saving money, saving food, and healthy weight. Excellent. 

2. Blesses your heart with health and healing

A healthy heart is a happy heart. A happy heart is a happy mind. And a happy mind is a happy life. And know what? Kodo millets help you get all these joys. 

Our heart is connected to each bit of our bodies, and vice versa. Let the different body parts stay healthy, and your heart will follow. The magnesium content in Kodo millets is a heart healer. It provides you with the right rhythm. Above this, it relaxes the blood vessels and prevents unnecessary blood clots. Once the blood vessels throughout our bodies are free of any obstruction, nutrients reach every corner. This improves overall health. ^[3]

Have it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is excellent at all times. Just don’t cook it in an unhealthy way. This will spoil its overall purpose. Don’t make it too spicy or fried. I know fried seems alluring. But apart from luring your tongue, it also lures several health issues.  

Kodo millets have a chewy texture with a nutty flavour. 

3. Enhances immunity

What shield is for a warrior, immunity is for our body functioning. It helps our bodies deal with injuries, pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc. You surely must have come face to face with this during the peak covid times. Yes?

There is not one but several ways to boost immunity. One of those several ways is diet. Diet provides us with almost all the essential things that are needed for herculean immunity – energy, protein, good fat, carbs, vitamins, minerals, taste, and of course, fulfilment. And Kodo millet is rich in all these. 

4. Rich in antioxidants and other nutrients

First of all, it is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants protect cells from the villain molecules in our bodies. Once our cells are saved from unnecessary damage, they can do their work in peace, which is to fight off diseases. ^[4]

Apart from antioxidants, Kodo millet is rich in nutrients that support immunity. It has vitamins such as vitamin B, K, choline, and minerals such as zinc, selenium, etc. These are well known to support the immunity function. How they do is not necessary. What is necessary is to have them. And Kodo grains simply let you have these all.

5. Rich in Fibre

Now, if you thought that was all, then know about its fibre. The fibre present in Kodo millet is also an excellent source of probiotics. It means it enhances the quality of good gut bacteria. The better and higher they are, the better they help in digestion. And once the digestion is excellent, the health rocks. 

It belongs to the grass family called ‘Poaceae’ and is closely related to its siblings foxtail millet and proso millet.

6. Alleviates pain like a good old friend

When something wrong happens to the human body, such as infection, it fights it off through inflammation. It is its confidence and is a natural response. But sometimes its confidence turns into overconfidence. And it starts hurting itself. This is what chronic inflammation is all about. It leads to disorders, health issues, and unnecessary pain. 

When you eat Kodo millet often, you save yourself from chronic inflammation. As a result, ageing doesn’t come as painful as it usually does. Your knees stay healthy as you age. Also, women going through menstrual pain can get a ray of relief through them. But what about those who do not menstruate regularly? Again, a diet rich in millet. It will do its work in bringing back the regular menstruation cycle. ^[5]

And because these grains do a wonderful job at controlling inflammation, blood vessels do not suffer from unnecessary obstruction. Blood flows freely and you live healthily, with a smile.

7. Helps one age gracefully

If we are given a chance to stay young forever, we’d surely say yes to it. No doubt about it. But at least for now, immortality is a dream. However, we surely can slow down our ageing process. More to it, we can even beautify the way we age. One of the easiest ways is to change our diet. Kodo millets can help you do just that. 

Firstly, antioxidants save the skin and other human cells from the damage of free radicals. And as they are saved, they work excellently for long enough. It is like you just saved the roses from withering too soon. And then, the phenolics present in them are excellent at improving health, ageing, and metabolism. With this improved metabolism, you get a good shape and good life. ^[6]

Millet holds an upper hand over wheat and rice in terms of nutritional value.

8. Great for gluten intolerance 

We all know one such person whose presence we cannot tolerate. A mere sight and the blood starts to boil, a word from their mouth and ears start to pain, and the moment they laugh, we burst. What if you could get a company, a healthy one, free of that person? Harmony and happiness. Wow. 

When it comes to food, gluten takes the character of that annoying person. Although it is a protein, some people just cannot digest it. Its presence in their bodies gives ceaseless discomfort. Gradually, eating, which is a joyful experience, starts becoming trouble. Well, not with Kodo.

Kodo millet is a crop that is naturally gluten-free. It means that you no more need to compromise on your food. Cook anything delicious, without worrying about the consequence. Because, after all, these grains are super nutritious.

Millet is a sustainable crop that requires less water, can grow on poor soil, and have a low carbon footprint. This is good for our planet and millets have amazing health benefits too.

Conclusion

Thousands of years back, when our ancestors started cultivating and nourishing nutrition on the soil, they never thought that their hard work will face ignorance one day. But it did. We forgot all the healthy foods in the past few decades. Burgers and burritos became our favorites. It is time to make the change again, a good one.

Kodo millets are an excellent source of all the vital nutrients. You get protein, you get fibre, and all those vitamins and minerals necessary for a good life. Where its antioxidants save cells from damage, the minerals present in them provide good heart health, sleep, and immunity. Not to mention the many vitamins like B, K, and choline. Overall, it is a win-win. 

Bid farewell to fast food. Embrace this nutritious ancient grain. Cook, eat, and greet with a smile. Embark on a journey towards vibrant well-being and culinary delight. Who knows, maybe apart from becoming healthier, you also become a great chef. 

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