Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Yes — millets are powerful immune-boosting foods. Their richness in iron, zinc, selenium, B-vitamins, and polyphenols collectively support both innate and adaptive immunity. A 2024 narrative review published in Frontiers in Nutrition (Jacob et al.) highlighted millets' role as immunomodulators, particularly relevant following the COVID-19 pandemic when immune nutrition gained global attention.
How millets enhance immunity:
Iron and zinc: Essential for immune cell proliferation and function; pearl millet provides >11 mg Fe/100g and >3 mg Zn/100g.
Polyphenols as immunomodulators: Flavonoids and tannins in millets regulate cytokine production, reducing excessive inflammatory responses while maintaining immune vigilance.
Vitamin A (beta-carotene): Supports mucosal immunity (first line of defense in gut, lungs, and respiratory tract) and T-cell function.
Selenium: A trace mineral in millets critical for the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, protecting immune cells from oxidative damage.
Dietary fiber: Promotes gut microbiome health, which houses ~70% of the body's immune cells.
Anti-inflammatory action: By reducing chronic low-grade inflammation (a major immune disruptor), millet compounds protect the immune system's responsiveness.
Bone health connection: Calcium and magnesium in millets support the bone marrow environment where immune cells (B and T lymphocytes) are produced.
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