Millets Benefits: Migraine, Bloating, Inflammation And Other Benefits Of Kong- A Lesser-Known Millet

Millets are a healthy source of fibre. They are also a rich source of nutrients like B vitamins - niacin, folate, thiamine and minerals like magnesium, iron and selenium. Dietary fibre from whole grains can be a part of overall healthy and balanced diet. In one of her recent posts on Instagram, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar talks about Kong, a lesser-known millet which looks and tastes like vari, samo or jhangora. In her post, Rujuta shares how the millet was gifted to her by one of her clients. She informs that the demand of this millet has reduced and only a few families still eat it.

Also read: Quinoa Or Indian Grains: Which One Is Healthier For Weight Loss?

Kong: the lesser-known millet with an array of health benefits

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Quinoa Or Indian Grains: Which One Is Healthier For Weight Loss?

The pseudo grain amaranth, the Indian counterpart of quinoa, is equally nutrient dense. Also known as rajgira or ramdana, amaranth is richer than quinoa in terms of calcium, iron, zinc and fiber.

1. Rujuta continues her post by telling that kong is often eaten as an alternative to rice during Navratri fasts. It can be prepared in the form of khichdi or Khais- a delicacy in Gujarat. Khais is cooked with buttermilk, she writes.
2. Fibre, vitamin and mineral profile of millets make them important for everyone.
3. Not only can millets improve immunity in children, they can also help in improving bone density in older adults.
4. Kong can even work as a cardio-protective agent, informs Rujuta.
5. It is most useful in perimenopausal and menopausal women. It contains phenolics that can protect skin from discolouration and premature ageing.
6. Kong millet contain lignans that can offer protection from hormone-based cancers.
7. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B1 in kong can be helpful in preventing migraines, reducing bloating and inflammation.

Including kong millet in your diet can reduce incidence of migraine
Photo Credit: iStock

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Including millets in your diet can also be beneficial for farmers and the ecology. As compared to rice and wheat, millets need less water and chemicals. Little millet, foxtail millet and barnyard millet are known to assure minimum yield even in case of failure of monsoon.

• Apart from kong, the other millets that are commonly available in India include bajra, ragi and jowar. These millets are rich in fibre, a nutrient that can aid weight loss, promote better digestion and reduce constipation.
• Millets contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. While soluble fibre can help in preventing acidity and reducing cholesterol, insoluble fibre can help in improving bowel movement and reducing constipation.
• Kodo millet, a millet variant with close resemblance to rice is weight loss friendly. It is easy to digest and is rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants that offer protection from damage caused by free radicals in the body. It is also weight loss friendly.

Millets are weight loss friendly
Photo Credit: iStock

Also read: Rich In Fiber, Whole Grains Should Be A Part Of Your Daily Diet! Even Better They Help In Quick Weight Loss

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.