Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease — account for 74% of all global deaths, or approximately 41 million people annually, according to WHO (2023). A 2024 PMC-indexed review on millets as dietary supplements confirmed that millets' multi-modal bioactive profile directly addresses the primary risk factors for all four major NCD categories.
How millets address the NCD burden:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD — 17.9 million deaths/year): Millets reduce blood pressure (magnesium, potassium), lower LDL cholesterol (dietary fiber, phytosterols), reduce platelet aggregation (omega-3 in pearl millet), and decrease arterial inflammation (polyphenols).
Type 2 diabetes (537 million globally — IDF 2021): Mean GI of 52.7 and alpha-amylase-inhibitory polyphenols significantly reduce glucose and insulin spikes; meta-analysis confirmed millets reduce HbA1c levels.
Cancer (10 million deaths/year): Dietary fiber, bioactive peptides, and polyphenols in millets promote apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, and modulate gut microbiota — creating anti-cancer effects across multiple tissue types.
Obesity (2.5 billion overweight globally — WHO 2023): High fiber and protein enhance satiety, reduce caloric intake, improve lipid metabolism, and support weight management.
Chronic respiratory disease: Antioxidants (Vitamin A, quercetin) in millets protect respiratory epithelium and reduce chronic airway inflammation.
Economic impact: As affordable, culturally appropriate whole foods, millets represent a cost-effective public health intervention — with potential to reduce NCD burden without relying solely on pharmaceutical interventions.
Policy recommendation: WHO, FAO, and ICRISAT recommend national dietary guidelines globally should actively include millets in NCD prevention frameworks.
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