Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Millet
May 07, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Zhengxin
Introduction
Millet helps protect the gastric mucosa and prevents damage caused by certain irritating foods. It contains tryptophan, which promotes melatonin secretion, thereby prolonging sleep duration and improving sleep quality. Additionally, millet is rich in dietary fiber and B vitamins, both of which enhance gastrointestinal motility.
Proso millet, also known as “gu zi” (grain seed) in northern China, enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. It boasts exceptionally high nutritional value, containing abundant vitamin B1, vitamin B12, vitamin E, amino acids, dietary fiber, and various minerals—including zinc, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. It functions to tonify the Spleen and Stomach, nourish the blood, calm the mind, and promote skin health and beauty. Its specific benefits are summarized below:
First, it tonifies and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. As proso millet enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians, it helps protect the gastric mucosa from damage caused by irritating foods. For patients with gastritis or peptic ulcers, cooking proso millet into a very soft, thoroughly broken-down congee supports recovery.
Second, it calms the mind and nourishes the Heart. Clinically, proso millet is found to contain tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes melatonin secretion. Melatonin plays a key role in regulating sleep—prolonging sleep duration and improving sleep quality—and thereby helps reduce anxiety.
Third, it aids digestion. Proso millet is rich in both dietary fiber and B-complex vitamins. Dietary fiber absorbs water in the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates gastric acid secretion, enhances gastrointestinal motility, facilitates digestion, shortens intestinal transit time, and helps alleviate constipation.
