Millet is a small, round whole grain grown in India, Nigeria, and other Asian and African countries. Considered an ancient grain, it’s used both for human consumption and livestock and bird feed (4, 5Trusted Source).

It has multiple advantages over other crops, including drought and pest resistance. It’s also able to survive in harsh environments and less fertile soil. These benefits stem from its genetic composition and physical structure — for example, its small size and hardness (4, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Although all millet varieties belong to the Poaceae family, they differ in color, appearance, and species.

This crop is also divided into two categories — major and minor millets, with major millets being the most popular or commonly cultivated varieties (4).

Major millets include:

• pearl
• foxtail
• proso (or white)
• finger (or ragi)

Minor millets include:

• Kodo
• barnyard
• little
• Guinea
• browntop
• fonio
• adlay (or Job’s tears)

Pearl millet is the most widely produced variety intended for human consumption. Still, all types are renowned for their high nutritional value and health benefits.

SUMMARYMillet is a small cereal grain that belongs to the grass family. Resilient in harsh environments, it’s commonly cultivated in Asian and African countries.

Like most cereals, millet is a starchy grain — meaning that it’s rich in carbs. Notably, it also packs several vitamins and minerals (4).

One cup (174 grams) of cooked millet packs (7Trusted Source):

• Calories: 207
• Carbs: 41 grams
• Fiber: 2.2 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 1.7 grams
• Phosphorus: 25% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Magnesium: 19% of the DV
• Folate: 8% of the DV
• Iron: 6% of the DV

Millet provides more essential amino acids than most other cereals. These compounds are the building blocks of protein (4, 8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

What’s more, finger millet boasts the highest calcium content of all cereal grains, providing 13% of the DV per 1 cooked cup (100 grams) (4, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

Calcium is necessary to ensure bone health, blood vessel and muscular contractions, and proper nerve function (12Trusted Source).

SUMMARYMillet is a starchy, protein-rich grain. It provides plenty of phosphorus and magnesium — and finger millet packs more calcium than any other cereal.

Millet is rich in nutrients and plant compounds. Therefore, it may offer multiple health benefits.

Rich in antioxidants

Millet is rich in phenolic compounds, especially ferulic acid and catechins. These molecules act as antioxidants to protect your body from harmful oxidative stress (10Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

Studies in mice link ferulic acid to rapid wound healing, skin protection, and anti-inflammatory properties (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).

Meanwhile, catechins bind to heavy metals in your bloodstream to prevent metal poisoning (16Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

While all millet varieties contain antioxidants, those with a darker color — such as finger, proso, and foxtail millet — have more than their white or yellow counterparts (13Trusted Source).

May help control blood sugar levels

Millet is rich in fiber and non-starchy polysaccharides, two types of undigestible carbs that help control blood sugar levels (10Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

This cereal also has a low glycemic index (GI), meaning that it’s unlikely to spike your blood sugar levels (8Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

Thus, millets are considered an ideal grain for people with diabetes.

For instance, a study in 105 people with type 2 diabetes determined that replacing a rice-based breakfast with a millet-based one lowered blood sugar levels after the meal (21Trusted Source).

A 12-week study in 64 people with prediabetes gave similar results. After eating 1/3 cup (50 grams) of foxtail millet per day, they experienced a slight reduction in fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels, as well as a decrease in insulin resistance (22Trusted Source).

Insulin resistance is a marker for type 2 diabetes. It occurs when your body stops responding to the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar (23Trusted Source).

What’s more, in a 6-week study in rats with diabetes, a diet containing 20% finger millet led to lower fasting blood sugar levels and a drop in triglyceride and cholesterol levels (24Trusted Source).

May help lower cholesterol

Millet contains soluble fiber, which produces a viscous substance in your gut. In turn, this traps fats and helps reduce cholesterol levels (10Trusted Source).

One study in 24 rats found that those fed foxtail and proso millet had significantly reduced triglyceride levels, compared with the control group (25Trusted Source).

Additionally, millet protein may help lower cholesterol.

A study in mice with type 2 diabetes fed them a high fat diet with millet protein concentrate. This led to a decrease in triglyceride levels and significant increase in adiponectin and HDL (good) cholesterol levels, compared with the control group (26Trusted Source).

Adiponectin is a hormone with an anti-inflammatory effect that supports heart health and stimulates fatty acid oxidation. Its levels are usually lower in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes (27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

Fits a gluten-free diet

Millet is a gluten-free grain, making it a viable choice for people with celiac disease or those following a gluten-free diet (8Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance must avoid it because it triggers harmful digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea and nutrient malabsorption (29Trusted Source).

When shopping for millet, you should still look for a label that certifies it gluten-free to ensure it hasn’t been contaminated with any gluten-containing ingredients.

SUMMARYMillet is a gluten-free grain that’s rich in antioxidants, soluble fiber, and protein. In particular, it may lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Despite millet’s multiple health benefits, it also contains antinutrients — compounds that block or reduce your body’s absorption of other nutrients and may lead to deficiencies (31Trusted Source).

One of these compounds — phytic acid — interferes with potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium uptake. However, a person with a balanced diet isn’t likely to experience adverse effects.

Other antinutrients called goitrogenic polyphenols may impair thyroid function, causing goiter — an enlargement of your thyroid gland that results in neck swelling.

Nevertheless, this effect is associated only with excess polyphenol intake.

For example, one study determined that goiter was significantly more prevalent when millet provided 74% of a person’s daily calories, compared with only 37% of their daily calories (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).

Furthermore, you can lower millet’s antinutrient content significantly by soaking it overnight at room temperature, then draining and rinsing it before cooking (4).

Plus, sprouting reduces antinutrient content. Certain health food stores sell sprouted millet, though you can also germinate it on your own. To do so, place soaked millet in a glass jar and cover it with a cloth that’s secured with a rubber band.

Turn the jar upside down, rinsing and draining the millet every 8–12 hours. You’ll notice small sprouts beginning to form after 2–3 days. Drain the sprouts and enjoy them right away.

SUMMARYAntinutrients in millet block your body’s absorption of certain minerals, though this is unlikely to affect you if you consume a balanced diet. Soaking and sprouting may reduce this grain’s antinutrient levels.

Millet is a versatile ingredient that makes a good rice replacement when cooked whole.

To prepare it, just add 2 cups (480 mL) of water or broth per 1 cup (174 grams) of raw millet. Bring it to a boil, then simmer it for 20 minutes.

Remember to soak it overnight before cooking to lower its antinutrient content. You may also toast it in a pan before cooking to enhance its nutty taste.

Millet is also sold as a flour.

In fact, research suggests that making baked goods with millet flour significantly enhances their nutritional profile by increasing their antioxidant content (33Trusted Source).

Additionally, this grain is processed to make snacks, pasta, and nondairy probiotic beverages. In fact, fermented millet acts as a natural probiotic by providing live microorganisms that benefit your health (4, 8Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

You can enjoy millet as a breakfast porridge, side dish, salad add-in, or cookie or cake ingredient.

Shop for millet or millet flour online.

SUMMARYMillet is not only available as a whole grain but also a flour. You can use it in a variety of dishes, including porridge, salad, and cookies.

Millet is a whole grain that’s packed with protein, antioxidants, and nutrients.

It may have numerous health benefits, such as helping lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Plus, it’s gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for people who have celiac disease or follow a gluten-free diet.

Its nutty taste and versatility make it well worth trying.