Health benefits of millets and their significance as functional food: A review

Abstract

Functional foods are gaining popularity among group of people and millets have been considered as potential candidate for the same, Millets are reported to be a major source of nutrients because of its antioxidant, anti-aging, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogenic properties and some essential vitamins i.e., beta carotene (yellow pearl millets), niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and minerals (Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, and Cu). Millets are found to have numerous health benefits and effective against Celiac Disease, Diabetes mellitus, cardio vascular disease (CVD), alimentary tract disorder, Malnutrition and many more. Millets are still main food for millions of poor population in Africa and Asia. Globally millet is not currently listed as one of the most important foods in North American and European food baskets, but highlights its value as an ingredient in multigrain and gluten-free grain products. In this review significance of millets and their role in disease management has been discussed in detail.