Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) and finger millet are jointly considered the best millets for children due to their complementary nutritional profiles that support growth, bone development, cognitive function, and immunity. A 2024 Frontiers in Nutrition review identified 'dehulled small millets' as the most promising nutricereals for improving child nutrition.
Nutritional support from millets for children's growth:
Little millet: Gluten-free, rich in essential nutrients, easily digestible — ideal as a first complementary food for infants transitioning to solids.
Finger millet (Ragi): 30x more calcium than rice; supports skeletal development, peak bone mass accrual, and dental health during critical growth years.
Pearl millet: Highest iron and zinc; combats iron-deficiency anemia (affecting ~40% of children under 5 globally, per WHO) and supports immune function.
Foxtail millet: Provides Vitamin B12 for brain and nervous system development; high protein supports muscular and tissue growth.
Weight and growth monitoring: A study by Durairaj et al. (2024) found that dehulled small millets significantly improved nutritional parameters in children.
Brain health: B-vitamins (B6, B9, B12) in millets support neurotransmitter synthesis, memory, and cognitive development.
Anti-malnutrition: Millets address multiple dimensions of malnutrition (protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin deficiencies) simultaneously — a more economical intervention than fortified supplements.
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