Therapeutic Role of Millets: An Overview

Abstract

Urbanization has significantly changed the food consumption pattern of India declining the consumption of some cereals like millets in comparison to wheat-based processed food, dairy products, and refined oils and sugars. This change in traditional eating patterns has led to several non-communicable diseases among the population, as well as it is a great reason for prevalent malnutrition among people. Millets can provide nutritional security to us as they are highly nutritious; hence there is a strong need to optimize the use of millets, especially in the daily diet. Usually, millets are a good source of fiber, phenolic compounds, lignans, phytosterols, phytocyanins and acts as an antioxidant. Sorghum and millets are gluten-free cereals, thus good for celiac patients. Because of these eminent components that are present in millet, protect us from cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL, reducing constipation, minimizing the risk of colon and breast cancer, and lowering the glycemic index. In comparison to wheat and rice; millets are having a high nutritional profile and also possess good therapeutic benefits.