Cereals and cereal products are staple foods in most human diets in both developed and developing countries, providing a major proportion of dietary energy and nutrients. They are composed of approximately 75 percent carbohydrates and starches and about 6-15 percent proteins, contributing to global terms more than 50 percent energy supply. Success of rice and wheat is chiefly as they can be consumed in polished, refined forms without the inconvenience of chewing.
There are another class of forgotten grass varieties grains called millets or trna dhanya varga in ayurveda .A few decades ago a research was conducted by African agency in impoverished village in babies of expectant mothers of Africa .They found that despite the poverty babies born there had high birth weight ,thanks to special diet the expectant mothers had .Poor mothers had nothing much to eat except some wild grains called millets .These grains are rich in calcium ,iron and other necessary nutrients, yielding health babies .Millet refers to number of annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions .India is largest producer of Millet in the world with 20 percent of global production and 80 percent of Asia production. Now India is recognizing the importance of millets as a healthy diet encouraging to cultivate the poor man’s grain. U.N has decided to honour millets by declaring 2023 as International Year of millets .Objectives being awareness of millet contribution to food security and nutrition to improve sustainable production and quality of millets enhance investment in research and development.
So why are millets cultivated more? When we eat, food is converted to glucose in our stomach and enters into the bloodstream, faster the conversion of food into sugar resulting in high blood sugar level. Compared to rice and wheat, millets convert glucose inside us rather slowly. Millets also have a high ratio of carbohydrates; it also has a substance called Fibre. Fibre from our food covers intestinal walls like a well-knit blanket, forming a lattice like. As it has low glycaemic index (measure of how quickly a food can make blood sugar level), it can be considered as an ideal diet in diabetic patients. Ayurveda gives more importance to the diet of Swastha(healthy person)as well as Athura (unhealthy person).There is detailed explanation of millets also called kshudra dhanya ,kudhanya, by different acharyas. In a healthy person millet can be used for preventive and Therapeutic diet. Millets can be made into different pathya kalpana for a diseased person.
Kangu -Fox tail millet, B.N Setaria italica
It is one of the oldest cultivated millets. It has double the quantity of protein content compared to rice. It contains Fibre, protein, calcium, and vitamins. According to bhavaprakasha nighantu it is guru (heavy) and ruksha (dry),so it controls blood cholesterol and blood sugar ,It is bhagna sandhana krt (healing fractured bone) ,brhmana (nourishing rasa, raktha, dathus). It increases disease resisting capacity.
Kodrava-kodo millet
Annual tufted grass that grows up to 90cm high. Grain enclosed within hard persistent husks that are difficult to remove. It has high protein content (11%) low fat (4.2%) and good Fibre content (14.3%). According to bhavaprakasha nighantu it promotes absorption (grahi) and increases vata. It is vrana pathyakaraka (beneficial in wound healing). It contains high amounts of lecithin and is excellent for strengthening the nervous system. It is rich in B vitamins, especially niacin ,B6 and folic acid as well as minerals such as calcium, zinc. It contains no gluten and is good for people with gluten intolerance.
Shyamaka -barnyard millet
B.N- Echinochloea frumentaceae Barnyard millet is a source of protein, highly digestible, and excellent source of dietary fibre, carbohydrate content is low and slowly digestible. According to ayurveda it is shoshaka (absorbing) sangrahi (absorbs excess body fluid) and vishadoshanut (Detoxify).
Hence it can be potentially recommended for the patient with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. It is the most effective in reducing blood glucose and lipid level.
Cheenak – Prosomillet – B.N – Panicum milaceum
Prosomillet is a short, seasoned crop that grows in low rainfall season. It can be cultivated with red grains, maize. It releases energy over a longer period after consumption allowing one to work from morning to evening without getting tired. This has many crude Fibre minerals and calcium. Health benefits of prosomillets come from its unique properties. It is completely gluten free and has a significant amount of carbohydrates and fatty acids. It is the cheapest source of Mn as compared to other conventional sources of spice and nuts. As it contains a high amount of calcium which is essential for bone growth and maintenance. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and reduce risk of heart diseases.
Conclusion
India’s Non-Communicable diseases are growing at an alarming rate ,with an average age for onset falling sharply .Hypertension ,digestive diseases of abdomen, diabetes are among three most prevalent NCD .In Ayurveda, millets called by kshudra dhanya, described elaborately about its properties like ruksha (dry),Lekhana (scrapping the medas)etc. Millets are rich in fibre contents and increased nutrients value like calcium and iron helps in reduction of lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Above all it is beneficial to cultivate millets when compared to wheat and rice. In the coming years due to global warming, the cultivation of wheat and rice will be difficult, an alternative to this is cultivation of millets.
