Welcome to our comprehensive guide on millets! In this article, we will delve into the various types of millets, explore their numerous benefits, and provide you with a detailed nutritional chart. Whether you are a health-conscious individual, a fitness enthusiast, or someone looking to diversify your diet, this article will equip you with all the essential information you need to know about millets.
What is millet?
Basically, Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses which has been cultivated as a staple crop in many regions of the world for hundreds of decades. These ancient grains are incredibly nutritious and provide several health advantages. Millets are gluten-free and abundant in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. these have grown in popularity in recent years due to their excellent nutritional profile and capacity to flourish in challenging climatic circumstances. These grains require very less amount of water during their cultivation time.
Moreover, The United Nations and Food and Agriculture Organisation have declared 2023 to be the International Year of Millets. This could spread awareness about millet.
Different Types of Millets
There are huge millet varieties some of which are listed below: Millet List
- Pearl Millet
- Finger Millet
- Foxtail Millet
- Proso Millet
- Barnyard Millet
- Kodo Millet
- Little Millet
- Browntop Millet
- Japanese Millet
- Italian Millet
- Teff Millet
- Adlay Millet
- African Finger Millet
- Panic Grass
- Guinea Millet
- White Millet
- German Millet
- Sorghum Millet
- Amaranth Millet
- Buckwheat Millet
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1. Pearl Millet:
“Bajra” which is the Indian name for pearl millet, is a drought-resistant millet that is cultivated in Africa and India country. This millet contains a good proportion of protein, iron, fibre and good energy levels. Flatbreads, risottos, and soups frequently contain pearl millet.
2. Finger Millet:
Ragi, commonly referred to as finger millet, Basically, “Ragi ” is an Indian name. It is filled with good nutritional value that is popular in India and Africa. It contains a great source of dietary fibre, calcium and iron. Finger millet is frequently used in baked dishes, rotis, and porridge because of its deep, earthy flavour.
3. Foxtail Millet:
One of the first grow millet kinds is foxtail millet. It has a delicate texture and a subtle nutty taste. This millet offers important elements including iron, magnesium, and phosphorus and is high in antioxidants. There are many different recipes you can make using foxtail millet, such as pilafs, salads, and desserts.
4. Proso Millet:
There are various places where Proso millet is produced, Europe, Asia, and North America are the top places where Proso millet is cultivated in large quantities. Moreover, this millet can be used to manufacture bread, cereal and porridge. Basically, this millet helps animals to fulfil their hungriness.
5. Banyard Millet:
Barnyard Millet, also known as “Samvat ke Chawal”, is popular in India. It is used as a rice substitute and can be cooked as pulao or used in porridge. It is rich in fibre and nutrients.
6. Kodo Millet:
Kodo Millet is mainly grown in India. This is popular for weight loss plans because of its high nutritional value such as a good amount of protein and minerals and is gluten-free. It is used in various traditional dishes.
7. Little Millet:
A little millet type found in India is called Little Millet. It has a moderate, nutty flavour and is high in nutritional fibre. It is used to prepare foods like porridge and flour.
8. Browntop Millet:
Browntop Millet is cultivated for both human consumption and as animal feed. It is majorly grown in Southeast Asian countries. Moreover, it is used in several traditional dishes such as “khichadi, upma, ladoo and pulao”.
9. Japanese Millet:
Japanese Millet is a small-seeded variety commonly grown in Asia. It is used for both human consumption and as bird seed. Usually, this millet can be used for ducks to feed them. Apart from that this could be great for dove fields, deer feed, and erosion control.
10. Italian Millet:
Italian Millet is a subspecies of foxtail millet. Setaria italica is another name for it. It is used as a grain crop and is cultivated in various regions. Some delicious food originated from this millet like Dosa, Rustic Millet Brunch, Lemon Rice and many more.
11. Teff Millet:
Teff is a millet variety native to Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is used to make traditional flatbreads like injera and is gaining popularity for its nutritional benefits. It is full of iron and fibre nutrients. This is the only millet that is much more expensive than other gluten-free flour.
12. Adlay Millet:
Typically, it is referred to as Job’s Tears among individuals. Despite not being a real millet, it is sometimes grouped with millets because of their comparable uses. It is mostly grown in Asia and utilised in traditional medicines, foods, and drinks. It helps to lessen the burning feeling in the eyes in some conventional treatments.
13. African Finger Millet:
A subspecies of finger millet mostly farmed in Africa is called African Finger Millet. In some areas, it is a crucial crop for ensuring food security. Bread, burgers and cakes are produced from this millet.
14. Panic Grass Millet:
Panic Grass is a generic term for several grass species in the Panicum genus that are considered millets. They have various culinary uses and are often used as animal feed.
15. Guinea Millet:
Guinea Millet is a type of millet primarily used for animal feed. It is cultivated in various regions.
16. White Millet:
White Millet is a millet variety used for both human consumption and as bird seed. It is grown for centuries for humans and animals in various parts of the world. This type of millet helps to control blood sugar as well as cholesterol levels. This could be also good to consume in winter.
17. German Millet:
German Millet is a subspecies of foxtail millet and is grown for grain production. It is used in human food products and as animal feed. Similarly, corn and other warm-season crop productions are also cultivated in the summer season.
18. Sorghum Millet:
The native names of sorghum are jowar, jonna or cholam in India. Basically, sorghum can be used in edible oil, starch, sugar and also in alcoholic beverages.
19. Amaranth Millet:
Amarnath, often referred to as Rajgira, is a fantastic food source of fibre and protein. It is great for a diet that is well-rounded. Additionally, this millet helps stop greying and hair loss. Additionally, amaranth lowers cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
20. Buckwheat Millet:
Last but not least buckwheat is one of the most popular varieties of millet, it is also known as kuttu in India and is frequently consumed during the Navratra fasting period. It lowers the blood pressure and is diabetic-friendly. Moreover, buckwheat safeguards against gallstones, asthma in children and breast cancer.
Nutrional Information
| Millet Type | Calories | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fibre (g) | Calcium (mg) | Iron (mg) |
| Finger Millet | 336 | 72 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 344 | 3.9 |
| Pearl Millet | 378 | 67 | 11 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 16 | 2.2 |
| Foxtail Millet | 329 | 60 | 12.3 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 31 | 2.8 |
| Barnyard Millet | 360 | 72 | 11.2 | 2.5 | 6.7 | 11 | 1.5 |
| Proso Millet | 354 | 71 | 11.5 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 18 | 1.9 |
Top Health Benefits of Millets
- Weight Loss
- Supports bone health
- Heart health
- Antioxidant properties
- Low glycemic index
- High in dietary fibre
- Gluten-free
- Rich in nutrients
- Support eye health
- Improve skin & hair health
Among the various types of millets, one that is commonly known to aid in weight reduction is foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Foxtail millet is a gluten-free grain that is low in calories and rich in dietary fibre. The glycemic index of Foxtail millet is very low which slow down and steadier rise in blood sugar levels comparatively other refined grains. The high fibre content of foxtail millet encourages satiety and controls appetite, which can aid in weight reduction. Additionally, millets’ complex carbs are slowly absorbed, giving you enduring energy and minimising blood sugar spikes.
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Finger millet, also known as ragi (Eleusine coracana), is one type of millet that is particularly beneficial for supporting bone health. The calcium quantity is so high, calcium is the necessary mineral to maintain healthy & strong bones. This millet has also important nutrients which are good for bones such as magnesium & potassium. Including finger millet in your diet can help provide these essential nutrients and support overall bone health. Moreover, this millet has amino acids, which are important for collagen production. Basically, Collagen is a key component of bone tissue, contributing to its strength and integrity.
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Several types of millets can contribute to a healthy heart due to their nutritional composition. But here we talk about Kodo millet benefits. Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum): Kodo millet contains antioxidants, dietary fibre, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. These properties contribute to maintaining heart health by managing blood pressure levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is recognized for its high antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins are in good quantity which act as antioxidants and help to detox the body. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) also exhibits antioxidant activity. It has anti-free radical properties because of the phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and other antioxidants it contains.
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica)
Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea)
Little millet (Panicum sumatrense)
Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)
These millets are known to cause a slower and steadier rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined grains. Add these millets to a diet, balanced stable blood sugar levels and individuals with diabetes or those aiming to manage their blood sugar levels.
There are many good dietary fibre millets named Foxtail millet, Pearl millet, Finger millet, Kodo millet, Barnyard millet, Little millet and Proso millet. Including these millets in your diet can increase your daily fibre intake and support overall digestive well-being.
Italian foxtail millet, pearl millet, finger millet, Kodo millet, barnyard millet, little millet and proso millet.
These millets are acceptable for people who follow a gluten-free diet or have gluten intolerance or sensitivity because they don’t contain gluten. In the end, millets are a suitable option for persons who are allergic to gluten.
Millets are considered helpful due to their richness in nutrients. Millets are packed with various essential vitamins and minerals. Basically, millets are filled with rich vitamins. Niacin, thiamine, riboflavin & folate are the organic vitamins which receive from millets.
Apart from that, millets are also a good source of minerals that provide us with iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to our body. These all micronutrients play a very important role in the human body which maintains energy production, immune function, and bone health.
Millets can support eye health through various mechanisms and nutrient content. Millets, such as finger millet and pearl millet, contain antioxidants like phenolic compounds and flavonoids. This kind of antioxidant helps us to protect the eyes from oxidative stress which caused by free radicals, which can forward us to possibly age-related eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Millets can be beneficial for skin and hair health due to their nutrient composition and various properties. Niacin, riboflavin & thiamine vitamins are present in millets which are essential for maintaining our healthy skin and hair. They support the growth, repair, and nourishment of skin cells and hair follicles, promoting overall skin and hair health. Some millets, like finger millet and pearl millet, contain antioxidants.
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| Millet Type | Tamil | Telugu | Kannada | Malayalam | Hindi | Bengali |
| Foxtail Millet | Thinai | Korra | Navane | Thina | Kangni/Kakum | Kaon |
| Pearl Millet | Kambu | Sajjalu/Gantilu | Sajje | Kambam | Bajra | Bajra |
| Finger Millet | Kezhvaragu | Ragi/Ragulu | Ragi | Panji Pullu | Mandua/Nachni | Mandua/Marua |
| Kodo Millet | Varagu | Arikelu/Arikalu | Harka | Koovaragu | Kodra/Koden | Kodon/Kodua |
| Barnyard Millet | Kuthiraivali | Odalu | Oodhalu | Kavadapullu | Jhangora/Kuthiravaali | Jhangora/Kuthiraiwala |
| Little Millet | Samai | Samalu | Same/Samai | Chama | Kutki/Sama | Sama |
| Proso Millet | Panivaragu | Varigalu | Baragu/Baragu Hoo | Barri | Barri/Chena | Barri |
To conclude the whole article we can say millets are so beneficial for human-beings as well as to feed animals & birds. We personally advised that people should aware about millet benefits which cure many diseases. Share this article with you friend circle to spread the awareness.