Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food.
Millets are important crops in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa (especially in India, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger), with 97% of millet production in developing countries. The crop is favored due to its productivity and short growing season under dry, high-temperature conditions.
Millets are indigenous to many parts of the world. The most widely grown millet is pearl millet, which is an important crop in India and parts of Africa. Finger millet, proso millet, and foxtail millet are also important crop species.
Millets may have been consumed by humans for about 7,000 years and potentially had "a pivotal role in the rise of multi-crop agriculture and settled farming societies".
Health Benefits Of Millets:
Millets are anti acidic
Millets are gluten free
Millets detoxify body
Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol
Prevents breast cancer
Helps to prevent type 2 diabetes
Effective in reducing blood pressure
Helps to protect against heart diseases
Aids in treating respiratory conditions such as asthma
Helps to optimize kidney, liver and immune system health
Reduces risk of gastrointestinal conditions like gastric ulcers or colon cancer
Eliminates problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating and cramping
Millet acts as a prebiotic feeding microflora in your inner ecosystem.
Common Name Of Millets In Indian Languages
Nutrient composition of millets compared to fine cereals (per 100 g):
Indian Millets Pdf book in English Dr Khadar Vali
Millets are important crops in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa (especially in India, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger), with 97% of millet production in developing countries. The crop is favored due to its productivity and short growing season under dry, high-temperature conditions.
Millets are indigenous to many parts of the world. The most widely grown millet is pearl millet, which is an important crop in India and parts of Africa. Finger millet, proso millet, and foxtail millet are also important crop species.
Millets may have been consumed by humans for about 7,000 years and potentially had "a pivotal role in the rise of multi-crop agriculture and settled farming societies".
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| Nutritional and Health Benefits Of Indian Millets |
Health Benefits Of Millets:
Millets are anti acidic
Millets are gluten free
Millets detoxify body
Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol
Prevents breast cancer
Helps to prevent type 2 diabetes
Effective in reducing blood pressure
Helps to protect against heart diseases
Aids in treating respiratory conditions such as asthma
Helps to optimize kidney, liver and immune system health
Reduces risk of gastrointestinal conditions like gastric ulcers or colon cancer
Eliminates problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating and cramping
Millet acts as a prebiotic feeding microflora in your inner ecosystem.
Common Name Of Millets In Indian Languages
Foxtail
Millet
|
Sorghum
|
Pearl
Millet
|
Finger Millet
|
| English : Foxtail Millet | English: Sorghum | English :Pearl Millet | English : Finger Millet |
| Bengali : Kaon | Bengali : Jowar | Bengali : Bajra | Bengali : Marwa |
| Gujarati : Kang | Gujarati : Jowari, Juar | Gujarati : Bajri | Gujarati : Nagli, Bavto |
| Hindi : Kakum | Hindi : Jowari, Juar | Hindi : Bajra | Hindi : Ragi, Mandika, |
| Kannada : Navane | Kannada : Jola | Kannada : Sajje | Kannada : Ragi |
| Marathi : Kang, Rala | Marathi : Jwari | Marathi : Bajri | Marathi : Nagli, Nachni |
| Oriya : Kanghu, Kangam,Kora | Oriya : Juara | Oriya : Bajra | Oriya : Mandia |
| Punjabi : Kangni | Punjabi : Jowar | Punjabi : Bajra | Punjabi : Mandhuka, Mandhal |
| Tamil : Tenai | Tamil : Cholam | Tamil : Kambu | Tamil : Keppai, Ragi, Kelvaragu |
| Telugu : Korra | Telugu : Jonna | Telugu : Sajja | Telugu : Ragi Chodi |
Proso Millet
|
Little Millet
|
Kodo Millet
|
Barnyard Millet
|
| English : Proso Millet | English : Little Millet | English : Kodo Millet | English : Barnyard Millet |
| Bengali : Cheena | Bengali : Sama | Bengali : Kodo | Bengali : Shyama |
| Gujarati : Cheno | Gujarati : Gajro; Kuri | Gujarati : Kodra | Gujarati : .... |
| Hindi : Chena; Barri | Hindi : Kutki, Shavan | Hindi : Kodon | Hindi : Sanwa |
| Kannada : Baragu | Kannada : Same, Save | Kannada : Harka | Kannada : Oodalu |
| Marathi : Vari | Marathi : Sava, Halvi, vari | Marathi : Kodra | Marathi : ... |
| Oriya : China Bachari bagmu | Oriya : Suan | Oriya : Kodua | Oriya : Khira |
| Punjabi : Cheena | Punjabi : Swank | Punjabi : Kodra | Punjabi : Swank |
| Tamil : Pani varagu | Tamil : Samai | Tamil : Varagu | Tamil : Kuthiraivolly |
| Telugu : Variga | Telugu : Samalu | Telugu : Arikelu, Arika | Telugu : Udalu, Kodisama |
Nutritional Benefits Of Millets (For 100g Of Each Millet)
| Protein (g) | Fiber (g) | Minerals (g) | Iron (mg) | Calcium (mg) | |
Sorghum
|
10
|
4
|
1.6
|
2.6
|
54
|
Pearl
millet
|
10.6
|
1.3
|
2.3
|
16.9
|
38
|
Finger
millet
|
7.3
|
3.6
|
2.7
|
3.9
|
344
|
Foxtail
millet
|
12.3
|
8
|
3.3
|
2.8
|
31
|
Proso
millet
|
12.5
|
2.2
|
1.9
|
0.8
|
14
|
Kodo
millet
|
8.3
|
9
|
2.6
|
0.5
|
27
|
Little
millet
|
7.7
|
7.6
|
1.5
|
9.3
|
17
|
Barnyard
millet
|
11.2
|
10.1
|
4.4
|
15.2
|
11
|
Teff
|
13
|
8
|
0.85
|
7.6
|
180
|
Fonio
|
11
|
11.3
|
5.31
|
84.8
|
18
|
Brown top
millet
|
11.5
|
12.5
|
4.2
|
0.65
|
0.01
|
Nutrient composition of millets compared to fine cereals (per 100 g):
| Food gain |
Carbo-hydrates
(g)
|
Protein (g)
|
Fat (g)
|
Energy (KCal)
|
Crude fibre (g)
|
Mineral matter
(g)
|
Ca (mg)
|
P (mg)
|
Fe (mg)
|
Finger millet
|
72
|
7.3
|
1.3
|
328
|
3.6
|
2.7
|
344
|
283
|
3.9
|
Kodo millet
|
65.9
|
8.3
|
1.4
|
309
|
9
|
2.6
|
27
|
188
|
0.5
|
Proso millet
|
70.4
|
12.5
|
1.1
|
341
|
2.2
|
1.9
|
14
|
206
|
0.8
|
Foxtail millet
|
60.9
|
12.3
|
4.3
|
331
|
8
|
3.3
|
31
|
290
|
2.8
|
Little millet
|
67
|
7.7
|
4.7
|
341
|
7.6
|
1.5
|
17
|
220
|
9.3
|
Barnyard
millet
|
65.5
|
6.2
|
2.2
|
307
|
9.8
|
4.4
|
20
|
280
|
5
|
Sorghum
|
72.6
|
10.4
|
1.9
|
349
|
1.6
|
1.6
|
25
|
222
|
4.1
|
Bajra
|
67.5
|
11.6
|
5
|
361
|
1.2
|
2.3
|
42
|
296
|
8
|
Wheat (whole)
|
71.2
|
11.8
|
1.5
|
346
|
1.2
|
1.5
|
41
|
306
|
5.3
|
Rice (raw,
milled)
|
78.2
|
6.8
|
0.5
|
345
|
0.2
|
0.6
|
10
|
160
|
0.7
|
Indian Millets Pdf book in English Dr Khadar Vali