Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Millets are uniquely mineral-dense cereals that provide a cardiovascular-protective mineral profile largely absent from refined grains. Four key minerals in millets directly regulate blood pressure: potassium (most abundant in finger millet at 408 mg/100g) — counteracts sodium's vasopressive effects; magnesium (highest in sorghum at 165 mg/100g) — relaxes vascular smooth muscle and reduces peripheral resistance; calcium (finger millet: 344 mg/100g) — modulates vascular tone and reduces resting arterial pressure; and phosphorus — works synergistically with calcium to maintain endothelial function. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet principles align directly with the mineral composition of millets, as documented in a WHO nutritional guidelines review (2023).
Key Points
Potassium (finger millet: 408 mg/100g) — counters sodium, reduces fluid retention, and relaxes blood vessel walls
Magnesium (sorghum: 165 mg/100g) — essential cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), producing vasodilatory nitric oxide
Calcium (finger millet: 344 mg/100g) — regulates arterial muscle contraction and reduces sympathetic nervous system activity
Zinc in pearl millet supports endothelial repair and reduces arterial stiffness associated with long-term hypertension
Iron maintains hemoglobin function, ensuring optimal oxygen delivery and reducing compensatory cardiac overload
Evidence Base
ICRISAT nutritional databases and WHO dietary guidelines (2023) confirm that millets deliver a DASH diet-aligned mineral profile that supports blood pressure reduction, particularly effective when millets replace refined grains in the daily diet.
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