Abstract

HYPOGLYCEMIC PROPERTIES OF THE OLDEST KNOWN “NUTRICEREAL”: BARNYARD MILLET

Dr. Shruti Agrawal*

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Abstract

Millets are the oldest crop known to mankind and are often referred to as „poor man‟s food‟ in rural India. Millets are versatile grains that grow in very less time in comparison to wheat and use 70% less water than rice, so it can be acknowledged as significant replacements for main cereals in order to deal with global food shortages and for satisfying the demand of the growing population and can help overcome micronutrient deficiencies. United Nations declared the year 2023 as the “International Year of Millets” to raise awareness about its health benefits and to promote understanding that how millets can prove instrumental in eradicating food inequality and nutritional deficiency globally. Millets are better known as “Nutri-cereals” due to their high nutrient quotient. Millets can sustain drought condition and have long storage period without insect damage. So it can aid in food security during emergency conditions. Traditionally, millets have been used as animal feed and remain unavailable for consumers due to scarcity for the development of functional or ready-to-use food. This review article aims to draw attention on the oldest, the hardest and self-pollinated known millet- Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) popularly known as Sama or Samwa in hindi. The nutritional potential of Barnyard millet in terms of protein, fat and fiber is superior to the commonly used cereals like wheat and rice.

Keywords: Nutri-cereals, Food Security, Nutraceuticals, Barnyard.