Kodo millet is a grain-producing plant like barnyard millet. The scientific name of the kodo millet is Paspalum scrobiculatum, is an annual plant that is grown and cultivated in Indonesia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and West Africa, which is the place of origin of the kodo millet plant. In various parts of the world this plant is grown only partially as a side dish. Unlike India, especially in the Deccan plateau, where it is grown as a staple food source in large quantities.
Kodo millet has many names, maybe this is according to the area of each planting. Among the many names are Creeping paspalum, Water couch, Indian paspalum, Ditch millet, Scrobic paspalum, Mau’u-laiki, Scorbic, rice grass, Veld paspalum, native palspalum and rice grass paspalum. Kodo millet is a food ingredient that is often sold as fast food in several regions of India.
Food from this grain is superior and great than rice. It includes gluten-free foods, rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins. Consuming kodo millet has many health benefits, especially in improving the quality of health.
So, what are the health benefits of kodo millet, let’s see the following discussion.
Amazing Health Benefits of Kodo millet
If you often consume wheat or rice as your daily staple, try consuming kodo millet every now and then. It is a superior food to rice even to wheat. So, if we make it a staple food as some Indians do, it will provide many health benefits. Kodo millet is rich in protein, fiber and minerals compared to the main cereals of most of the world’s population.
The paspalum scrobiculatum can also be used like rice. It can be cooked like rice for staple foods and can also be ground or ground into flour which is used for various cooking purposes. Consuming kodo millet can provide balanced nutrition for our bodies, not the same as consuming white rice. Here we take a look at some of the health benefits of kodo millet.
1. Anti-diabetic food
Consuming kodo millet on a regular basis is good for lowering the level of glucose in the blood and good for promoting an increase in insulin which is needed to convert sugar into energy. Among the substances that act as anti-diabetic in kodo millet are quercetin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, syringic acid and vanillic acid. it is highly recommended for diabetic patients to be able to regularly consume foods from this grain, in addition to kodo millet, diabetic patients can also consume barnyard millet which is also rich in fiber.
2. Rich in anti-oxidants and anti-microbial
The content of antioxidants and polyphenols in kodo millet is very good at preventing the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus bacteria. As antioxidants, these foods are good for preventing cancer and various health problems associated with aging.
3. Anti-obesity food
The benefits of kodo miltet are also known for their ability to prevent obesity. It is a fiber-rich grain that can prevent the accumulation of fat in the intestines and by moving the intestines easily to expel waste.
The benefits of fiber are also influential in preventing the rise of cholesterol and triglycerides. So, kodo milliet is well-known as a food for managing weight gain.
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4. Anti-hypertensive and anti-cholesterol foods
It is a versatile food including for those in post-menopausal age which is often associated with cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. So it is very good to consume kodo every day, even better if it is made as a daily staple food.
5. Manage weight
Kodo grains are rich in fiber and low in fat, this provides a quick feeling of fullness and prevents a person from consuming more food. It can control weight and reduce obesity.
If you are fat, then you should include kodo millet in your daily diet to prevent obesity. This is a form of effort to keep the disease away.
6. Reduce cholesterol
One of the health benefits of kodo millet is also in reducing cholesterol. It can reduce triglycerides, as well as reduce c-reactive protein. Therefore, it can lower bad cholesterol and prevent heart problems. You can say this is one of the healthy foods for the heart and is on the list of heart healthy diets.
Kodo Millet Traditional Uses and Benefits
- Eating kode millet is good for women with postmenopausal symptoms related to high blood pressure, cardiovascular and LDL.
- This food is good for digestion, it can facilitate peristaltic movement so that it is easy to remove waste and prevent constipation.
- Kodo millet helps manage blood sugar and cholesterol in the blood.
- This is a food that is easy to digest, contains large amounts of lecithin, it is good in strengthening the nervous system.
- Kodo millet is rich in photo chemicals and is rich in phytates which are useful for reducing the risk of cancer.
- Helps reduce weight and kodo millet including foods that are recommended for consumption by postmenopausal women.
- These foods are also good for those who have symptoms of heart disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you experience in signs of high cholesterol, then make kodo millet as your important food.
- Kodo is also an anti-diabetic food and is good for diabetics because it is included in foods with a low glycemic index. Kodo contains anti-diabetics such as quercetin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and contains syringic acid.
- The Kodo millet is a gluten-free food, so it’s great for people who are gluten intolerant.
- The use of kodo millet is also good as a traditional food.
- Kodo millet seeds can also be ground to be used as flour in making many types of cakes.
- Kodo is also a substitute for rice for some traditional people.
- Another use of kodo millet or Paspalum scrobiculatum is as food to manage diabetes.
- This grain is also good in the treatment of inflammation and various body weaknesses.
Culinary uses
In the culinary sector, grains with the name Paspalum scrobiculatum also have many benefits, including:
In Africa it is eaten as food when hungry
Milled into flour, and used to make puddings, this is commonly practiced in India.
Africans use kodo millet as an ingredient for cooking such as rice.
Other Facts about Kodo Millet
- This plant is considered a weed in the southern United States and Hawaii.
- This plant is also good for planting as a deterrent to erosion and landslides, its roots will bind to the soil so it does not cause landslides.
- Used as a hunger food, this is a secondary use of this plant.
- It also serves as a great cover crop
- Kodo millet is a nutritious food and is the best substitute for rice and wheat (wheat bread)
- Kodo is also the best food for raising animals such as goats, cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.
Sources:
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=41040#null
http://www.hear.org/pier/species/paspalum_scrobiculatum.htm
https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=26917