Introduction
Pearl millet (Scientific name Cenchrus
americanus, commonly known as the synonym Pennisetum glaucum) is the most widely grown type of millet. It has been grown in Africa and the Indian subcontinent since prehistoric times. The center of diversity, and suggested area of domestication, for the crop is in the Sahel zone of West Africa. Recent archaeobotanical research has confirmed the presence of domesticated pearl millet on the Sahel zone of northern Mali between 2500 and 2000 BC. Year 2023 is the International Year of Millets, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021.
Also known as 'Bajra' in Hindi, "Bajri" in Gujarati and Marathi 'Sajje' in Kannada, 'Kambu' in Tamil, 'Bajeer' in Kumaoni and 'Maiwa' in Hausa, 'Mexoeira' in Mozambique.
Coming from Africa, the bajra crop was introduced in India around 2000 BC. From the sites of excavation at Hallur in India, it is evident that bajra was cultivated around 1500 BC. Conditions of growth favored its growth in the country.It is 70-90 days duration crop best suitable for sandy, black and loamy soils with good drainage. It is mainly grown in Kharif or rainy season in the States of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Pearl millet is well adapted to growing areas characterized by drought, low soil fertility, low moisture, and high temperature. It performs well in soils with high salinity or low pH. Because of its tolerance to difficult growing conditions, it can be grown in areas where other cereal crops, such as maize or wheat, would not survive. Pearl millet is a summer annual crop well-suited for double cropping and rotations.The grain and forage are valuable as food and feed resources in Africa, Russia, India and China.
Today pearl millet is grown on over 260,000 square kilometres of land worldwide. It accounts for about 50% of the total world production of millets. Pearl millet is the most widely grown millet and is a very important crop in India and parts of Africa.
Recently more productive varieties of pearl millet have been introduced, enabling farmers to increase production considerably.
To combat the problem of micronutrient malnutrition in Africa and Asia, a study of serving iron biofortified pearl millets which is bred conventionally without genetic modification to a control group is proved to have higher level of iron absorbance by the group.
Some of its genes encodes for wax biosynthesis, which is known to be involved in tolerance to abiotic stresses in pearl millet.
Bajra is the Indian word for pearl millet. It is one of the oldest cultivated grains. It is widely consumed in rural India and is available all over the world. It's a rich source of a variety of nutrients and has a lot of health benefits.
Also known as pearl millet, Bajra is an energy-packed grain and can also be called a superfood. Loaded with insoluble fiber that helps you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar levels. If you are trying to lose weight, adding low-calorie density whole foods to your diet can be beneficial.
Pearl millet has the highest yield potential of all millets under drought and heat stress.
Bajra is loaded with phosphorus, which along with calcium, helps build our bones. According to consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta, per 100-gram bajra contains 42 mg calcium and 296-gram phosphorus.
Overall, consuming moderate amounts of bajra is considered safe for most people. Because it's a gluten-free grain, even people with celiac disease can have it as long as they feel confident there was no cross-contamination with other gluten-containing grains.
Each Bajra Roti provides 2.1 mg of iron, which is nearly about 10% of your total daily requirement. 2 of these rotis will keep satiated for long hours and make up for many nutrient requirements.Jowar, and its close relative, bajra, both belong to the millet family. Jowar lowers the risk of heart diseases as well as cholesterol. It also has cancer-fighting properties because of the presence of antioxidants, and brims with protein, calcium and iron.
The mean value in proximate composition of variety Changara of pearl millet are presented in the table below. The proximate composition can be affected by both environment and genetics. Pearl millet usually has higher protein content and fat contents than sorghum or other millets because the kernel is a naked caryopsis.
Pearl Millet, commonly known as bajra is a profoundly nutritious and easy to digest cereal grain. Being non-glutinous makes it a healthy option for people with a gluten allergy and celiac disease. They are power-packed with carbohydrates, essential amino acids, antioxidants, multiple vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, beta carotene, and minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
Also known as pearl millet, Bajra is an energy-packed grain and can also be called a superfood. Loaded with insoluble fiber that helps you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar levels. If you are trying to lose weight, adding low-calorie density whole foods to your diet can be beneficial.
Per 100 gm of Pearl Millet contains:
Protein : 10.96 gm
Dietary fibres-:11.49 gm
Fat contents:5.43 gm
Carbohydrates: 61.78 gm
Energy:1456 KJ
Nutritional Health Benefits of Pearl Millet :
•Good for diabetic diet :
Pearl millets contain carbohydrates that are digested slowly and maintain a stable glucose level for a long period. This makes them a healthy food option for diabetics.
•Beneficial for heart health: Rich in dietary fibres and cholesterol-lowering properties of these grains are good for heart patients.
•Perfect for Celiac disease and gluten intolerance: patients with celiac disease and gluten intolerance can opt for a pearl millet-based diet as it is gluten-free and easily tolerated by everyone.
•Therapeutic for people with frequent acidity and stomach ulcers : Pearl millets are one of the few foods which reduce the acidity of the stomach thereby limiting ulcer formation and discomfort due to frequent bouts of acidity.
•Prevents Constipation: Benefits of bajra include promoting good gut health. In simpler terms, consuming the pearl millets will make sure you keep constipation at a distance.The reason behind this is the presence of insoluble fibre in bajra.
A good amount of dietary fibres aid in the bulk formation and provide relief from constipation.
•Provides protein10.96 gm% to vegetarians:
Those who are vegetarians ot get the needed protein from meat and fish products. This is where pearl millets come in. The health benefits of bajra include its ability to provide the required protein to vegetarians as well. Bajra flour becomes complete when it is combined with seeds like rajma, moong dal, chana dal, etc.
•Lowers Blood pressure: Bajra is known for its richness in potassium which is needed for those with high blood pressure. Consuming more foods rich in potassium will help flush out sodium from your body, which in turn will reduce blood pressure.
•Makes bone stronger :
The high phosphorus content of bajra helps in making your bones stronger.
•Lowers cholesterol:
Pearl millets contain an adequate amount of good fat which is the desired quality of food for high cholesterol patients.
•Nutritious baby food :Pearl millets are easily digested and well tolerated by little ones which make them a mandatory ingredient for baby food preparations during the weaning period and even later on.
•Rich in antioxidants:
Lessens free radical damage in the body and prevents early ageing, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, cardiovascular diseases, and aids in wound healing.
• Reduces the risk of colon cancers : It makes the stomach pH alkaline, and thus reduces the risk of colon cancers.
• A healthy choice of food for pregnant women and nursing mothers due to iron and folic acid contents.
•Pearl millet is good for thyroid:
Pearl millet is a type of millet that is rich in C-glycosylflavones, which was shown to have similar activities to methimazole in animal studies. In vitro studies in rats, C-glycosylflavones inhibited 85% of Thyroid Peroxidase enzyme.
Bajra and jowar roti is good for hypothyroidism.
How to consume Pearl Millets:
Pearl millet is commonly used to make bhakri flatbread. It is also boiled to make a Tamil porridge called kamban choru or "kamban koozh".
In Rajasthani cuisine "bajre ki khatti rabdi" is a traditional dish made with pearl millet flour and dahi. It is usually made in summers to be served along with meals.
Flatbreads made of pearl millet flour, known as Bajhar ji maani or Bajre ki roti (बाजरे की रोटी) in Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana, bajrichi bhakri (बाजरीची भाकरी) in Maharashtra & Bajra no rotlo (બાજરા નો રોટલો) in Gujarat, India, are served with various types of Kadhi and Green vegetables Bhaaji in meals. Bajhar ji maani prepared in Tharparkar, Sindh is served with various types of Kadhi and Bhaaji in meal.
Pearl millets or Bajra can be found in various forms for daily consumption. You can use it as flour to make flatbreads or dosa, grains to make porridge, processed grains as poha or upma for breakfast, and ready to eat snacks like millet or multigrain cookies. The enormous health benefits of bajra make it a perfect superfood, optimum for regular consumption by all.
You can combine your favourite millet recipe with protein-rich dishes containing lentils, cottage cheese, soya chunks, and some fresh fruits, and a vegetable smoothie or salsa to make a perfect platter of the recommended balanced diet.
Gujarati Duha on Bajara:
"બલિહારી તુજ બાજરા, જેના લાંબા પાન;
ઘોડે પાંખું આવિયું, બુઢ્ઢા થયા જુવાન."
Meaning:
We applause you Bajara, whose leaves are long.
After consuming thy horses got the wings,old became young.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
