Millets Research & Articles
Antidiabetic Principles, Phospholipids And Fixed Oil of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn.)
Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn.), is an extremely drought and salt resistant wild millet attributed with a number of medicinal properties such as antidiabetic, tranquilising, hypolipidaemic, anti-rheumatic and wound-healing. Though the amount of carbohydrates, protein, oil and fiber contents are known, a detailed study on the medicinal principles are lacking. In our work, this millet is found to contain 1.120mg/g. phenolics consisting of a flavonol, quercetin and phenolic acids such as cis- ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid and melilotic acid. The total antioxidant potential was found to be– IC50 = 31.5 ± 0.03 mg/ml in terms of ascorbic acid and gallotannins. .
Potential of Millets: Nutrients Composition and Health Benefits
Millet grains have substantial benefits as a draught resistant crop, yield good productivity in the areas with water scarcity, possesses remarkable edible & nutritive values, and ease of processing & food manufacturing. Agriculture & Food security policymakers of developing countries should give due attention in promoting the research work & projects for studying the processing, food manufacturing, improvement in nutritive values and potential health benefits of the millet grains to promote their utilization as food in respective countries. Most of the developing countries have already started working in the field of improvement of edible potential of millet grains. Millet oil could be a good source of linoleic acid and tocopherols. Millet is an alkaline forming grain that is gluten-free.
MILLETS: The nutrient rich counterparts of wheat and rice
Millets are one of the oldest foods known to humans. These are the small-seeded hardy crops belonging to gramineae family which can grow well in dry zones/rain-fed areas under marginal conditions of soil fertility and moisture. Due to their short growing season, these can develop from seeds to ready to harvest crops in about 65 days. This highly beneficial characteristic of the millets is of vital importance in thickly populated regions of the world. If stored properly, millets can keep well for two years or beyond.
Health Benefits Proso Millet
Proso millet is more commonly known as whit millet or hog millet. Its scientific nomenclature is Panicum miliaceum. In Portugal, it is called Milheto. Its cultivation initially originated in China. Today, Proso millet is cultivated in India, Russia, and Middle East, Turkey etc. Proso millet is a part of the staple diet of many cultures. Prose millet compared to other food grains seeing it has the lowest water requirement for any cereal. This is why it is generally grown in arid conditions and rain shadow regions. It is a cheaper source of manganese as compared to other conventional sources like spices and nuts.
Keep Your Diabetes In Check With Millets
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which a person has high blood sugar levels either because the body produces little insulin or the body cells do not respond to it; or both. Good nutrition and exercise are crucial to prevent and manage diabetes.