India is a major producer of Millets, accounting for 80% of Asia’s production. Millets have been a major staple food in India for centuries, but got side-lined in the recent past with the advent of Rice and Wheat.
To bring back millets, Government of India spearheaded the proposal at the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM). India’s Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has stated that India aims to make IYoM 2023 a people’s movement for the overall benefit of the cultivator, consumer and climate. The Global Millets conference objective is to elevate awareness of Shree Anna (Nutri-cereals / millets) for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in R&D and extension, and inspire stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets with the intention of position India as the ‘Global hub for millets’.
Celiac disease:
Millets are gluten free grains hence, used for celiac disease patients.
Anti-diabetic properties
Millets consumption lowers blood glucose response and glycosilated hemoglobin thus, rendering low glycaemic index; helps in reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus
Reduction of oxidative stress:
Free radicals, are removed by the phenolic compounds present in millet grains which reduces oxidative stress.
Anti-cancer properties:
Millet extracts have anti-prolific effects on cancer cell line, inhibit DNA damage and induce the production of phase-2 detoxifying enzymes.
Anti-hypertensive
Millets prevent the oxidation of low density lipoproteins reducing lipase activity which reduces the occurrence of hypertension.
Obesity
Intake of high dietary fibre (present in millets),hunger satisfaction and increases satiety decreases incidence of obesity.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Regular consumption of whole millet grains (40 g/day) reduces the risk of CVD and thus reduces the risk of CHD by 20%
Beneficial in treating stomach ulcers and gall stones:
Millet consumption turns the stomach alkaline and prevents the formation of stomach ulcers or reduces the effect of ulcers.
For Anemia control
Finger millet is a very good source of natural Iron. Its consumption helps in conditions of anemia. It helps in keeping malnutrition, degenerative diseases, liver disorders and asthma at bay.
Beneficial in preventing allergic reactions
Pearl millet especially has a very low probability of causing allergic reactions, due to the hypo-allergic property
