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Millets a superfood

The staple foods of the Indian diet are cereal grains like rice and wheat. Wheat and rice
alone can't give you a healthy diet because they don't have enough nutrients, fiber, and
antioxidants. Diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are just some of the chronic diseases
that are becoming more common in India. Even though many people are trying to solve
the problem, the number of women and children with iron-deficiency anemia, a type of
undernutrition, is rising. According to the World Health Organization, 820 million people
are affected by chronic hunger. With a score of 27.5, India is ranked 101st out of 116
countries on the 2021 Global Hunger Index. This means that there is a lot of hunger in
the country.

So, if we want to get out of this terrible situation, the agricultural production system
needs to make important decisions about how to make crops that are only minimally
farmed in places with few resources part of the system. Small millets, which are also
called "minor millets," can give the country food and nutrition security and save the lives
of the poor and other people who are left out.

The importance of millet

● In 2016–17, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reported a 60% drop
in millet cultivation area (14.72 million hectares) owing to changes in
consumption patterns, the conversion of irrigated land to wheat and rice
production, the unavailability of millets, poor yields, dietary preferences, and
demand. This causes malnutrition in mothers and children by lowering vitamin A,
protein, iron, and iodine levels.
 ● Millets are abundant in minerals, including calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus,
magnesium, and potassium. Other nutrients are also present, including folic acid,
vitamin B6, beta-carotenniacin, and niacin. The presence of abundant lecithin is
beneficial for boosting the neurological system. As a result, malnutrition may be
overcome by regularly consuming millet.
● Millets have a high concentration of phytochemicals such as tannins,
phytosterols, polyphenols, and antioxidants, but they also have certain anti-
nutritional effects.
● Millets are very adaptable since they can thrive in a variety of environments. This
includes the lowlands of Andhra Pradesh's coast, the relatively high elevations of
the Northeastern states, and the hills of Uttarakhand. Millets can thrive in many
climates and soil types, including rich and barren environments.

Millet is one of the oldest cereals people know about and may have been the first grain
used in the home. It is sometimes called a "super-grain," "wonder-grain," and other
similar names. An initiative to designate 2023 as the Worldwide YMilletMillets was
proposed by India and endorsed by more than 70 countries; the resolution was
unanimously passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), demonstrating
international support for recognizing the relevance and advantages of these grains for
the global food chain. Ambassador TS Tirumurti, India's permanent representative to
the UN, stated, "There is an urgent need to promote the nutritional and ecological
advantage of millets to consumers, producers, and decision-makers, to increase
production efficiency, research and development investments, and food sector
linkages."

Benefits of Millet Production:

● Once known as coarse grains, millets are now more often known as "nutria-
millets or nutria-cereals" due to their nutritional benefits. Millet is termed the
"wonder grain" or "crop of the future" since it can thrive in tough conditions and
requires less effort.
 ● Millets give millions of families a stable source of food and income and help
make farming more profitable because they can be used for human and animal
feed.
● Millets help lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which is a factor in
slowing global warming. On the other hand, wheat is a crop that suffers greatly
from heat, and paddy is the main contributor to climate change due to methane
emissions.
● It is not necessary to use synthetic fertilizers while growing millets. The millet
harvest is pest-free and will hold up well in storage.
● All around, the nutritional content of millet is extraordinary. Its nutritional value is
around three to five times that of wheat or rice. Polyphenols, antioxidants, and
cholesterol-lowering waxes may all be found in significant amounts in sorghum
(Jowar).
● Millets' high dietary fiber and low glycemic index aid in reducing constipation,
obesity, hypertension, and cancer.

How can you incorporate millet into your daily routine?

● Bajara is a great source of protein and long-lasting energy. To make a pre-

workout drink, combine 1 tablespoon of bajara with 500 milliliters of water and 1
teaspoon of jaggery.
● Millet may be substituted for refined grains like rice and wheat because it acts as
an internal cleanser, removing toxic substances from the body.
● Buttermilk made from ragi is a tasty beverage. High in calcium, it's also a great
choice for young children. For a spicy kick, adults may add some chili powder.
● Instead of gluten-based snacks, make millet khakhra, millet cookies, energy bars,
chakli, and different Namkeen.
Millets are environmentally-friendly:

● Millets grow like weeds, so most of them are naturally non-GMO and pesticide
free, which is good for the environment and the crop. As a result, they are
organic in nature.
● Growing millets does not need a lot of water and does not deplete the soil of its
nutrients. Millets are a great alternative to rice since they are both easy to
prepare and non-GMO. They also keep a person full for a longer time.
● The states of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra
are the most prolific millet producers in India. Millets are a hardy crop that can
withstand extreme weather conditions. Farmers favor millets because they need
less time and money to cultivate.

Conclusion:

Millets are an indigenous superfood loaded with beneficial nutrients, including protein,
fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Using these grains instead of white rice and refined wheat,
you can flush out toxic waste and scrub your digestive tract. Millets can help you lose
weight because they slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream and are good for
the health of your digestive system and immune system.

Millets are also safer for the environment. Not only do they not require as much water to
cultivate as rice or wheat, but they also leave the soil in better condition after harvest.
Millets haven't been genetically changed like the quick-yielding hybrid, and GMO
varieties of rice and wheat brought to India during the Green Revolution in the 1970s.
FAQs

1. What are millet's primary nutrients?

Millets are a great source of

● Vitamin A.
● B - complex vitamins, to be precise.
● Phosphorus.
● Potassium.
● Antioxidants.
● Niacin.
● Calcium.
● Iron.

2. How does millet impact the body?

Millet is nutrient-dense and contains protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Millet can help safeguard cardiovascular health, prevent the development of diabetes,
aid in weight management, and reduce gastrointestinal inflammation. The millet grain
may be used in many different ways.

3. Is millet safe for everyone to eat?

Intake of millet should be kept moderate since the grains contain chemicals that
interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to negative consequences
with high consumption. Millets are abundant in fiber but are slowly digested, which
might induce bloating and gas.