Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Small millets — including little millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, proso millet, and foxtail millet — are collectively recognized as underutilized nutritional treasures. Despite their relatively small global production compared to sorghum and pearl millet, they harbor exceptional micronutrient densities and phytochemical profiles that rival and often exceed major cereals. A 2024 Frontiers in Nutrition review by Durairaj et al. described 'dehulled small millets' as the most promising nutricereals for improving child and community nutrition.
What makes small millets nutritionally significant:
Micronutrient density: Small millets are rich in essential amino acids, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and B-complex vitamins often scarce in typical modern diets.
Elevated antioxidant levels: Phytochemical studies consistently report higher ORAC values and total phenolic content in small millets versus major cereals.
Lower glycaemic index: Small millets (kodo, barnyard, foxtail) consistently score below 55 on the GI scale — making them superior for diabetes management.
Prebiotic fiber diversity: Each small millet variety provides a distinct fiber composition, supporting broader gut microbiome diversity.
Climate resilience: Small millets grow in marginal soils with minimal water and inputs, representing sustainable food security crops under climate stress.
Food biodiversity: Preserving small millet cultivation maintains agricultural biodiversity against the risks of monoculture food systems.
Traditional medicine alignment: Ayurvedic texts prescribe specific small millets for distinct health conditions — a system now being validated by modern phytochemical research.
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