The name may make it sound so expensive, but pearl millet is just as easy on the pocket just like any other grain that you can think of. That’s wonderful news because it only means that you are not going to have a hard time getting it included in your diet on a regular basis. Read on to know some of the health benefits that pearl millet offers.

Pearl millet is a staple food in India and West Africa. It thrives even in the least amount of water, and it’s one of the grains that pack the most protein for muscle building and energy.

Completely devoid of gluten, pearl millet also supplies the body with impressive amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals. You can make those nutrients more accessible to the body by having pearl millet soaked in water prior to cooking. As a bonus, soaking can help reduce your risk of having excess gas after mealtimes!

It’s also a wonderful idea to have pearl millet sprouted, which you can eat raw by sprinkling some on your soups, stews or salads. But you may also get sprouted pearl millet stir-fried with other vegetables.

Without further ado, let’s check out some of the incredible health perks offered by pearl millet:

It Lowers Heart Disease Risk

The regular intake of pearl millet is known to help lower a person’s risk of having heart disease because of the loads of fiber in this grain. You see, fiber helps in controlling high blood pressure and high bad cholesterol, both of which are regarded as risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

It Keeps Constipation From Happening

Consuming pearl millet as regularly as you can is a wonderful idea most especially if you are prone to being constipated. Rich in fiber, pearl millet helps create bulk that facilitates the expulsion of the contents of the bowels. Just ensure that the intake of pearl millet is paired with plenty of water and regular exercise for best results.

It Reduces Cancer Risk

Doctors say that consuming pearl millet and other excellent sources of fiber is great for warding off colon cancer. But it’s not just cancer of the colon that this particular grain is capable of preventing, but also many others. That’s because it is loaded with phytochemicals that have the ability to fight off cancer cells.

It Controls Blood Sugar Levels

Fiber is what makes pearl millet perfect for people with diabetes as well as those who are at risk of developing the said disease. It’s for the fact that fiber found abundantly in pearl millet is very good at regulating the release of sugar in the bloodstream, thus preventing spikes in sugar levels and the many complications they come with.

It Facilitates Reduction in Weight

Are you trying to get rid of a few extra pounds? Then it’s a wonderful idea for you to include pearl millet in your diet as regularly as you can. Being rich in fiber, pearl millet can help drive away hunger pangs. Pearl millet is also a phenomenal source of protein that helps in speeding up a person’s metabolic rate.

It Builds Muscles

Everybody knows that protein is a muscle-building nutrient, and you can obtain lots of it from pearl millet. No matter if you are trying to bulk up or slim down, building muscles can be of tremendous help in the attainment of your goal. By the way, protein in pearl millet is also good for keeping your nails, hair and skin healthy and beautiful.

It Helps Strengthen Your Bones

There are a couple of reasons why the regular consumption of pearl millet can help ward off osteoporosis. First, it packs decent amounts of calcium which, as everybody knows, strengthens the bones. Second, pearl millet contains phosphorus that maximizes the bone-strengthening properties of calcium.

Before you go, kindly repost this article on social media to let your family and friends know some of the reasons why they should include pearl millet in their diet!