Millet, also known as foxtail millet, was called Su in ancient times and also known as Liang. It is one of the "Five Grains" of ancient China and one of the most favorite staple foods for people in the northern region. Millet is divided into japonica millet, glutinous millet, and mixed millet.
Millet can be used to make wine and vinegar. The main ingredient for famous liquors like Wuliangye, Fenjiu, and the yellow rice wine that southerners enjoy, as well as the sake that the Japanese love, is millet. The main ingredient of Shanxi aged vinegar is also millet.
【Nutritional Components】
Compared to rice, millet has outstanding nutritional advantages, mainly shown in the following aspects:
――Rich in fat, 7.8 times that of rice, and it is mainly unsaturated fatty acids.
――Contains a large amount of Vitamin E, 4.8 times that of rice.
――Abundant in dietary fiber, 4 times that of rice.
――High in potassium and low in sodium. The potassium-to-sodium ratio is 9:1 for rice, but 66:1 for millet. Regular consumption of millet is beneficial for patients with hypertension.
――High in iron content, 4.8 times that of rice; also rich in phosphorus, 2.3 times that of rice. This is why millet can nourish the blood and strengthen the brain.
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【Medicinal Efficacy】
Millet congee is yellow, fragrant, smooth, and mellow with a long-lasting aftertaste. Drinking it fills the mouth with fragrance. It can nourish yin and supplement deficiency. There is a saying in folk medicine that it "nourishes people," making it the most suitable supplement for the elderly, young children, and pregnant women, helping them to enhance their physical strength. It is also a common folk practice to feed new mothers brown sugar millet congee and to give infants millet congee soup.
(1). Millet contains a large amount of carbohydrates, which is very effective in relieving mental stress, tension, and fatigue.
(2). Because millet is rich in Vitamin B1, B12, etc., it has the effect of preventing indigestion and canker sores.
(3). Sprouted millet, like malt, contains a large amount of enzymes and is a traditional Chinese medicine that aids digestion and promotes appetite. Those with poor appetite might consider eating more of it.
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【Appropriate and Inappropriate Consumption】
(1). The protein nutritional value of millet is not necessarily better than that of rice, because the amino acid composition of millet protein is not ideal—it is too low in lysine and too high in leucine. Therefore, postpartum women should not rely solely on millet as their staple food and should pay attention to dietary pairing to avoid deficiencies in other nutrients.
(2). Millet should not be consumed with soybeans or meat.
(3). Millet congee should not be too thin.
【Recommended Amount】
50 grams per meal.