Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Rhythm Kalsil

Abstract:
Millets are among the world's largest grain produce in African and Asian countries. Being the most primitive first cereal crop for domestication, it serves a major role in maintaining food security of millions of people throughout the world. Millets are gaining huge popularity as a major substitute to rice and wheat in many developing countries of the world due to their surprising health benefits in terms of nutritional (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre) and phytochemical composition (phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins). This review focuses on major health prospects as well as quality characteristics of popular millet varieties namely; finger, foxtail, kodo, little, barnyard, proso, pearl and sorghum millets for effective utilization in human diets to overcome food security as well as deficiency disorders.