Millets are no modern fad: Bronze Age humans consumed this gluten-free grain, here's why
Scientists dig up how diet changed and transformed society during the Bronze Age.
People these days are swapping wheat with a more nutritious grain - millet. But this isn't just another modern health trend. Millets have been a staple in the diet for centuries. A recent study has found that millet was already revolutionizing diets as far as the Bronze Age.
People from the Tumulus culture, the ones who lived in Central Europe during the Middle Bronze Age, were believed to be mostly pastoralists. However, a recent study has challenged this long-held belief and given insight into the shifts seen around 1500 BC, including lifestyle changes in Central European history. The findings of the bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, led by an international research team, are published in the journal
Scientific Reports
.
Around 1500 BC, there were radical changes in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized.
How diet changed
Nitrogen isotope studies show that during the Middle Bronze Age, people had a more diverse diet, and social differences were clear, especially in who had access to animal protein. By the Late Bronze Age, these differences faded, and diets became more uniform but less nutritious.
Broomcorn millet was introduced
The carbon isotope analyses found that people consumed millet. As the plant can be grown quickly and has a high energy content, it became quite a popular option towards the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. Yes, that's right. Millets are no modern trend; they have been part of our diets for centuries. The data from the Tiszafüred Bronze Age cemetery indicate the earliest known consumption of millet in Europe.
Stay ready with these 7 essential medical gadgets as COVID cases rise
Nutritional value of millets
Millets
have numerous health benefits.
Grown in India, Nigeria, and other Asian and African countries, the small round grains are gluten-free and have high amounts of protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
One cup (174 grams) of cooked millet contains:
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
How diet changed social relations
Social relationships changed during the Late Bronze Age. People stopped living in long-established, tightly organized tell-settlements and instead lived in smaller, more spread-out communities. This shift led to a looser and less structured social system, which also showed up in their diets. The analysis of the teeth and isotope tests revealed that people ate much less animal protein than before. This goes against the earlier belief that the Tumulus culture mainly focused on animal husbandry.
Millets are today opted for their nutritional value and also as a gluten-free option, especially for those with gluten intolerance.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Yoga trainer Saurabh Bothra recommends 5 healthy habits for busy lives - plus 1 pro tip
Too busy to pursue a fitness routine or sticking to diet for your wellness? Yoga trainer Saurabh Bothra says even following a few simple healthy habits every day can be life-changing, rather than making difficult and drastic lifestyle changes. Saurabh Bothra says habit-building can contribute towards healthy living.(Saurabh Bothra) Bothra, who offers habit-building programs and live guided sessions through his platform HaBuild, shared his top 5 tips for healthy living, in a LiveMint interview. Check out his tips: 1. Drink water: According to the yoga coach, staying hydrated with plain glasses of water can be very beneficial for health. Apart from boosting digestion and enhancing skin health, it also offers one more benefit. Bothra says, "Drinking a lot of water will make you go to the washroom more than once, and encourage movement." 2. Move: If you are a busy working professional who spends more time sitting than standing, make sure you get up and move around at least after every hour. "In our office, we have a trend of doing an 3-minute activity after every hour. We do squats, deep breathing or anything that makes us move around," says Bothra, suggesting how to increase movement. 3. Deep breathing: The Nagpur-based trainer highly recommends a session of deep breathing for busy professionals. He says even 5 minutes of conscious breathing practice can feel therapeutic for people who are often caught between work and home-related pressures. "It's a great stress-buster," he says. Bothra recommends box breathing (inhale, hold, exhale, and hold, each for a count of four) and coherent breathing (inhale and exhale for the same duration of around 5 seconds) 4. Sleep on time: It's what our parents told us time and again as kids. Now as adults, it's time to pay attention to your sleep hygiene. "Everyone to sleep before 11:00 pm at least. However busy you may be, after 11:00 p.m., most people are often just doing time-pass. Good sleep quantity and quality are very important healthy habits," he adds. 5. Workout: If your schedule does not allow you to workout every day, try it at least thrice a week for 45 minutes each, suggests Bothra, who helps people adopt yoga through his online platform. Apart from these tips, he has a pro tip to share: "Don't try to do five things together! It doesn't work like that. Do a small thing for seven days or 14 days and then start adding one more thing, and then another. Don't try to do everything at once, otherwise we usually fail and go in that all-or-nothing trap. Either we do everything or we just stop doing, and then wait for 1st of January to come again," he says. Also read: Meet Saurabh Bothra, IITian-turned-yoga coach who has built a 1 crore-strong wellness community — one habit at a time Stress management is also a very important part of maintaining good health. Asked about his strategy to deal with stress, Bothra responds, 'There are days that really get to me. My best practice to deal with stress is to go to sleep. So the days I'm busier, I go to sleep early so that I can make sure that my next day becomes better.'
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Rice for weight loss or weight gain? Here's the real answer and how to use it right
Rice is one of the most loved staples in Indian kitchens. From fluffy basmati to comforting curd rice, it shows up in our plates in more ways than we can count. But when it comes to weight, rice often gets mixed reviews. Some say it makes you gain weight, others believe it's fine if eaten the right way. The truth is not as simple as cutting it out or eating lots of it, it depends on how you eat it, when you eat it, and the type of rice you choose. Scroll down to read how to make rice work for your goals. Why rice gets blamed Rice digests quickly, especially the polished white kind. It can raise blood sugar fast if you eat too much or skip fibre and protein in the meal. That's why people often think rice causes weight gain. But it's not just the rice, it's what you eat with it, how much you eat, and how active you are that matter more. How rice helps with weight loss When eaten in the right portions and paired with vegetables, dal, or protein like paneer or eggs, rice can actually support weight loss. Steamed rice with sabzi and a bowl of dal is light, easy to digest, and not heavy on fat. Since rice digests faster than rotis, it may reduce bloating for some people. Short grain or hand-pounded rice options also have more fibre and keep you full longer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo How rice supports weight gain On the flip side, rice can be a helpful food if you're looking to gain healthy weight. It's easy on the stomach, gives quick energy, and pairs well with ghee, curd, or rich dals. Eating it with flavour-packed, calorie-dense sides like rajma, chole, or meat gravies helps increase intake without making meals feel too heavy. It's also less filling than wheat in some cases, which makes it easier to eat more calories overall. Best way to use rice smartly If weight loss is your goal, keep the portion small, skip frying, and eat rice with fibre-rich veggies and some protein. Have just one helping and try desi ways like pairing rice with buttermilk, light dals, or simple tempered veggies. For weight gain, use rice in khichdi with ghee, mix it with curd, or enjoy it with rich, creamy gravies. Choosing red rice, brown rice, or hand-pounded rice also adds more nutrients to your meals. It's not the rice, it's the routine Rice alone won't decide your health goals. What matters is how much you eat, when you eat it, and what you pair it with. Whether you want to lose or gain weight, rice can still be part of your meals if used wisely. Keep the plate balanced, focus on home-cooked food, and stay consistent. That's what brings real results with flavour and comfort. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
7 cooking oils and their best Indian food pairings
1 2 The oil used in cooking does more than just keep things from sticking to the pan. It adds flavour, depth, aroma, and often a nutritional boost to the meal. In Indian kitchens, there's long-standing wisdom in choosing different oils for different regions, seasons, and dishes. One oil doesn't fit all. But when the right oil is paired with the right dish, everyday food suddenly tastes restaurant-level good. Here's how to get it right. Mustard oil This one's bold, punchy, and perfect for North and East Indian dishes. Think Bengali shorshe ilish or spicy achari aloo. It brings a sharp kick that makes your masalas shine. It's also said to improve circulation and is packed with healthy fats when used raw or lightly cooked. Just make sure to heat it till it smokes before using. Coconut oil Coconut oil is light, fragrant, and instantly reminds you of Kerala-style thoran or Tamil podi idlis. It works beautifully in dry veggie stir-fries and tempered dals. Its subtle sweetness goes well with curry leaves and mustard seeds. Plus, it's great for digestion and has antimicrobial properties too. Groundnut oil Also known as peanut oil, this one is smooth and has a mild nuttiness that complements Maharashtrian, Gujarati, and even Rajasthani cooking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Use it in dishes like bharli vangi or dhokla tempering. It has a high smoke point and adds a lovely roasted depth to masala-based dishes. Sesame oil Cold-pressed sesame oil, or gingelly oil, is a staple in Tamil and Andhra kitchens. It brings warmth and a deep, earthy aroma. Drizzle it over puliyodarai or use it in your dosai batter seasoning. It's rich in antioxidants and said to calm the body, making it ideal for cooler months. Ghee Ghee is a kitchen essential that makes everything better. Khichdi, tadka dal, parathas and even halwa benefit from its unmistakable desi richness. It is packed with fat-soluble vitamins, gentle on the stomach and helps balance vata, according to Ayurveda. Sunflower oil If you're stir-frying veggies or making a quick curry, sunflower oil is a safe go-to. It has a neutral taste, so it won't overpower your dish. It keeps your sabzis light and digestible, and works well for people who want a heart-friendly cooking oil. Rice bran oil This one's been gaining popularity in urban kitchens. It works well for deep frying and has a mild, clean flavour. Use it for things like poha cutlets, paneer tikka or even pakoras. It's said to help lower cholesterol and suits those looking to make small health tweaks without losing taste. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
