Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Millets are small-seeded, climate-resilient cereal grains belonging to the family Poaceae. Classified as 'Nutri-cereals' by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), they are ranked among the most nutritionally dense staple crops available globally. A 2024 narrative review published in Frontiers in Nutrition highlighted that millets are excellent sources of proteins (7–12%), dietary fiber (15–20%), essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants — collectively contributing to a wide spectrum of health-promoting properties.
Key health roles of millets include:
Cardiovascular protection: Magnesium and potassium in pearl and foxtail millets help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of ischemic strokes (Springer Nature, 2024).
Diabetes management: With a mean Glycaemic Index (GI) of 52.7 — approximately 36% lower than milled rice (71.7) — millets help stabilize postprandial blood glucose (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021).
Gut health: Insoluble dietary fiber acts as a prebiotic, stimulating beneficial microbiota and reducing the risk of colorectal disease.
Anti-inflammatory action: Bioactive compounds such as quercetin, ferulic acid, and protocatechuic acid reduce systemic inflammation.
Weight management: High fiber and protein content promote satiety, supporting caloric control.
Immune modulation: Phytonutrients such as flavonoids and polyphenols support immune surveillance and antioxidant defense.
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