Benefits and Disadvantages of Bajra

Bajra is a crop that is grown for both animal and human consumption. It is mainly cultivated in developing countries. But it is easily grown in drought-prone areas in high temperatures also, so it is cultivated in many countries. There are many varieties of Bajra grown around the world. The most common variety is called Pennisetum glaucum. Bajra was first cultivated in Africa, but it has been cultivated in Asia and the middle east for 10,000 years. In India, it is mainly cultivated in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. More than 8 million tonnes of it is grown in India every year.

Benefits of Bajra

Whole grains are considered to be one of the best and whole foods for us. Bajra is one such nutrient-rich whole grain that has become much-loved for its many health benefits. In addition to being rich in b vitamins and several minerals, Bajra also contains antioxidants such as phytates, phenols and tannins. These phytonutrients further enhance the nutritional properties of Bajra. The main health benefits of consuming Bajra are as follows.

1. Eating Bajra, keep the heart safe

Consume Bajra if you want to protect your heart as Bajra is a rich source of magnesium which is an important mineral for lowering blood pressure and the risk of heart attack especially in the case of atherosclerosis. Bajra is also a good source of potassium which acts as a vasodilator to lower high blood pressure. It lowers blood pressure and improves your circulatory system.

This is one of the best ways to protect your heart health. Apart from this, plant lignans are found in Bajra which is converted into animal lignans by the microflora in our digestive system. These animal lignans help protect against certain chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

2. Bajra for High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is not good for our heart health. Bajra is high in fibre which helps in lowering cholesterol. Fibre actually eliminates the dangerous bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body and enhances the effect of good cholesterol (HDL).

3. Bajra Flour for Diabetics

Diabetes is a common disease found in millions of people worldwide. Magnesium is found in Bajra which helps in reducing type 2 diabetes. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps in increasing the capacity of insulin and glucose receptors in the body. One study found that people who ate a magnesium-rich diet had a 30% reduction in diabetes compared to those who did not consume a magnesium-rich diet.

4. Bajra helps in Digestion

Bajra contains fibre which can help move our gastrointestinal system and helps eliminate problems like constipation, excess gas, flatulence and cramps. Controlling the digestion process also improves the retention of nutrients in the body. Regular digestion and removal of toxins from the body improve the health of the kidneys, liver and immune system as these organs are closely related to the metabolic activities of the body.

5. Good for Cancer Patients

Recent research has revealed that fibre intake is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent breast cancer in women. Women consuming more than 30 grams of fibre per day can reduce their chances of breast cancer by more than 50%. Therefore women should consume Bajra.

Disadvantages of Bajra

Although there are not many harmful effects of Bajra, Bajra takes an excessive amount of time to digest and process properly which can be harmful.

Bajra contains small amounts of a goitrogenic substance that inhibits iodine absorption in the body, leading to goitre and other thyroid problems. The goitrogenic effect in food is generally reduced by cooking but the goitrogenic effect is increased by cooking or heating the Bajra. Therefore people suffering from hypothyroidism should be careful with their consumption of Bajra.

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