Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) stands out as one of the richest millet sources of folic acid (vitamin B9), along with a complete spectrum of B-complex vitamins including niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and pyridoxine. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and amino acid metabolism. A study published in PMC (2022) confirmed that proso millet contains notable quantities of folate, making it particularly valuable during periods of rapid cell growth such as pregnancy, adolescence, and recovery from illness.
Key Points
Proso millet provides folate alongside other B vitamins (niacin, B6, B12 metabolic cofactors) in a synergistic nutritional profile
Finger millet contains folate (B9) essential for red blood cell production and preventing megaloblastic anemia
Pearl millet provides folic acid that supports fetal neural tube development, reducing risk of spina bifida
Sorghum provides folate and niacin, supporting cell repair and reducing homocysteine levels linked to cardiovascular disease
Fermentation of millets enhances bioavailability of folate by reducing anti-nutritional factors like phytates that bind B vitamins
Citation / Evidence Base
Frontiers in Nutrition (2021) and ICRISAT nutritional databases confirm that proso and finger millets are among the best whole-grain sources of naturally occurring folate, with processing methods such as soaking and fermentation further enhancing B vitamin bioavailability.
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