Benefits of Kodo (varagu) Millet:
Kodo millet or Varagu is one of the ancient grains of the world that originated from Africa and domesticated in India a few thousand years ago. It is a nutritious grain that is widely distributed in damp habitats across the tropics and subtropics of the world. In India, Kodo millet is grown mostly in UP, Gujarat, Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu, parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and foothills of Himalayas.
The Kodo millet is also known as cow grass, rice grass, ditch millet, or Indian Crown Grass. It is called Kodo in Bengali, Kodra in Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi, Kodri in Hindi, Harka in Kannada, Kodua in Oriya, Varagu in Tamil, Arikelu, Arika in Telugu and Koovaragu in Malayalam.
Kodo millet is a good substitute to rice or wheat. Protein, fiber, and mineral content are much higher than the major cereals like rice. It can be cooked just like rice or ground into flour. It provides balanced nutrition, unlike polished white rice. Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of Kodo Millet
1. Anti-diabetic
Kodo millet intake is found to reduce fasting blood glucose level and promotes significant increase in serum insulin level. Anti-diabetic compounds in Kodo are quercetin, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid and syringic acid. Thus regular use is recommended for diabetic patients.
2. Antioxidant and anti-microbial activity
Kodo millet grains consist of polyphenols and antioxidants. The polyphenols possess antimicrobial action against certain bacterias (Staphylococcus aureus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis).
3. Anti-obesity
Kodo is high in fiber and prevents gain in weight. It also helps to prevent rise in cholesterol and triglyceride levels and is a functional food to manage weight and promotes weight loss.
4. Anti-cholesterol and anti-hypertension
Kodo is very beneficial for post-menopausal women suffering from signs of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Hence, regular consumption of Kodo millets is recommended for all.
5. Helps in weight management
Kodo millet consists of low fat content and fiber content is higher and makes to feel fuller after consuming less quantity itself, therefore it avoids over eating and lessens the weight, thereby controls obesity. An obese person should include this cereal in their diet and see the difference on their weight.
6. Cholesterol reduction
Regular consumption of Kodo millet helps to lower the triglycerides and C-reactive protein, thus it lowers the bad cholesterol and ideal for your heart. Thus heart protective food too.
