Millets: A Nutritious and Sustainable Crop for Improved Human Health and Food Security

Abstract

This book chapter provides a comprehensive overview of millets, including their history, production, nutritional values, and health benefits. Millets have been an important staple food in many regions worldwide for thousands of years. Today, they are gaining attention as a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional cereal crops. The chapter begins by exploring the history of millets, including their domestication, cultivation, and consumption in different parts of the world. It then discusses the production of millets, including their cultivation, processing, and utilization in various food products. Next, the chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the nutritional values of different millets, highlighting their high protein, fiber, and mineral content. Millets are also shown to be rich in antioxidants, which may offer potential health benefits. The health benefits of millets are also discussed in detail, including their potential to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In addition, millets have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and to promote gut health. In conclusion, this book chapter highlights the importance of millet as a nutritious and sustainable crop and its potential to contribute to food security and human health.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Tamil Nadu – 613005

*Corresponding author

Correspondence to baskaran@iifpt.edu.in

Editor Information

Editors and Affiliations

Department of Academics and Human Resource Development

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T)

(An Institute of National Importance)

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Govt. of India

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Pin Code – 613005

Dr. S. Vignesh

Dr. N. Baskaran

Dr. V. Eyarkai Nambi

Dr. M. Loganathan

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