Bajra (Pearl millet) is the most widely grown type of millet in India. Millets are seeded grasses and are a healthy substitute for rice and wheat in almost all the recipes.They have high resistance against harsh climates so, they can be grown easily.
Bajra flour is made by grinding the Bajra (pearl millet) grains. It is grayish in color and has nutty flavor. Bajra flour is an excellent source of iron, protein, folic acid and fibre that keeps complex ailments like anemia, constipation,obesity in check and flushes out all toxins. Bajra grains are gluten free hence, bajra flour doesn't stick together well. Also, they release energy slowly because of the complex carbohydrates.They are an ideal food for weight-loss diet because, they take time to digest and make one feel fuller.
18 Amazing Health Benefits of Bajra Flour
1. High in Protein:
One cup of Bajra Flour makes around 4 rotis. So each Bajra Roti yields about 1.8 grams of protein which is a very good source for Vegetarian protein. This key nutrient is required to build muscle mass and noursih each and every cell of the body.
Bajra Roti
2. High in Fiber :
Fiber is a key nutritent which is a best friend of your digestive system. It helps cleanse the gut and prevent constipation. It also keeps you full for long time and thus avoids binge eating and weight gain. Try this fiber rich flour for a satiating breakfast in the form of Bajra Onion Muthia.
Bajra Onion Muthia, Bajra Onion Kadhai Muthia
3. Complete Protein for Vegetarians :
Bajra Flour forms a complete protein when combined with legumes like rajma, moong dal, urad dal, toovar dal, chana dal. This is because bajra being a cereal pairs with legumes and pulses to make up for all the 9 essential amino acids humans need.
4. Gluten Free :
Great healthy option for those who are intolerant to Gluten. Choose Bajra Aloo Roti over Whole Wheat Roti.
Bajra Aloo Roti ( Iron Rich Recipe)
5. Good for Diabetics :
Bajra is rich in Magnesium which improves insulin response by lowering insulin resistance which is good for Diabetics. Having very low magnesium will result in the pancreas not secrete enough insulin to control our blood sugar. Check the recipe of Bajra Methi Khakhra which will provide enough magnesium and also the fenugreek leaves are known to control blood sugar levels. So it's of dual benefit to diabetics.
Bajra Methi Khakhra ( Gluten Free Recipe)
6. Good for Heart :
Bajra is rich in Magnesium. 100 grams of Bajra have 131 milligrams of Magnesium which is 37% of your recommend daily allowance (RDA). Magnesium helps maintain nerve function and normal heartbeat. Try Bajra Chakli, which will give you magnesium while avoiding that unncessary fat as these chaklis are not deep-fried.
Bajra Chakli
7. Lowers Cholesterol :
Being high in Fibre, Bajra reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the effects of good cholesterol (HDL). Jowar Bajra Spring Onion Roti, is a true fiber rich recipe which will please your taste buds and keep cholesterol levels under check as well.
Jowar, Bajra Spring Onion Roti
8. Lowers Blood Pressure :
Bajra and jowar are rich in Potassium. Potassium is critical for those with High Blood Pressure as it lessens the impact of sodium. Eating more Potassium Rich Foods will remove more sodium from your body through urine. So if you are suffering from High Blood Pressure and taking medication, then the medicine works by taking out the sodium and potassium from the kidneys. So you need to up your Potassium intake in this case.
9. Relieves Constipation :
Bajra being rich in insoluble fibre helps easy digestion and hence relieves constipation when consumed in the form of Bajra Gajar Palak Paratha. Insoluble Fibre does not dissolve in water and goes through your stomach without being processed helping other foods move through your system and out. Insoluble Fibre keeps you healthier with a better digestive system.
Bajra Gajar Palak Paratha, Gluten Free Recipe
10. Alkaline :
Bajra is alkaline in nature and combats acidity. Acidity is a form of indigestion in which there is accumulation of acid leading to a burning sensation in the stomach and the digestive tract. The stomach periodically produces acid to aid digestion. It is when we don't eat at regular intervals or are excessively stressed the stomach produces more acids which harms our body. Try Bajra Khichdi to Control Acidity to please your stomach.
Bajra Khichdi To Control Acidity
11. Good for Endurance :
Being high in fibre, protein, alkaline, lowering blood pressure means more RBC (red blood cells) to give energy. All these factors enhance performance of endurance athletes like runners, swimmers and bikers.
12. Antioxidant Rich :
Bajra has many antioxidants which help fight the body against infections. Combine them with mixed sprouts to make Mixed Sprouts and Bajra Roti to gather a handful of antioxidants.
Mixed Sprouts and Bajra Roti
13. Helps prevents Anaemia :
Bajra flour contains a fair source of Iron which helps prevent Anaemia. Here is our food sources of Iron. Combine it with other iron rich flours like jowar flour and besan and make Jowar Bajra Besan Thalipeeth. You can make this for breakfast or even main meals - lunch or dinner.
Jowar Bajra Besan Thalipeeth
14. Rich in Folic Acid :
Vitamin B9 helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially red blood cells. It also helps prevents DNA changes that might cause cancer. Bajra Khichu with Masala Dahi is truly wirth a try!
Bajra Khichu with Masala Dahi
15 Good for bones :
Bajra flour is rich in Phosphorus which is a major mineral which works closely with calcium to build our bones. Try the famous Gujarati Rotla with a dollop of ghee and strengthen your bones.
Rotla ( Gujarati Recipe), Bajra Na Rotla Recipe
16. Good for Skin :
Being rich in Zinc which helps repair skin and slows the ageing process. Try Bajra Nimki which is devoid of the process of deep-frying. Excess fat can lead to pimple or acne.
Bajra Nimki ( Bengali Snack)
17. Good for Eyes :
Zinc helps in the activity of an enzyme in our body that helps produce Vitamin A, which is useful in treating night blindness.Be a little creative, when kand is in season try Bajra Kand Rotis.
Bajra Kand Rotis
18. Carbohydrate Metabolism :
Bajra flour is rich in Vitamin B1 which is essential for glucose metabolism. It extracts energy from our food and converts it into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Try Stuffed Bajra Roti, which has a stuffing of paneer and fenugreek leaves.
Stuffed Bajra Roti ( Gluten Free Recipe )
Nutritional Information of Bajra Flour
One cup of Bajra Flour is 130 g (which is obtained from 96 g of whole bajra), which makes 6 rotis.
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.
Nutritional Information for 1 cup Bajra Flour
346 Calories
11.1 grams of Protein
64.8 grams of Carbs
4.8 grams of Fat
284 mg of Phosphorus : 47.3% of RDA (about 600 mg for adult)
Full details of Bajra Flour Nutritional information here.
We have a collection of 130 recipes using Bajra Flour.
10 Healthy Bajra Flour recipes.
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