Review on classification, nutritional and anti-nutritional profile of a sustainable crop-millet

Millets are sustainable, economical and nutritional rich food crops. Contemporary climatic issues have realized the indispensable role of millets in global food security. The major, minor and pseudo millets are an excellent alternate for traditional crops such as wheat, maize and rice due to rich nutritional profile. Millets are rich in macro and micro nutrients along with antioxidants, phytochemicals and sulphur containing amino acids. Slow digestible carbohydrates are beneficial for diabetic population. Millets consists of good quality and quantity of essential amino acids requires for protein synthesis. Millets are rich in fiber and have low GI that play an excellent role in weight management and treatment of diabetes, constipation, and cardiovascular diseases. Calcium content of finger millet is three times greater than milk. Millets help to meet the nutritional need of population, particularly the vulnerable category. Polyphenols are good source of antioxidant in diet helping body to improve its immune defense system. The phenolic compounds present in millets have antioxidant, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-nutrient compounds decrease the acceptability of millets especially due to mineral mal-absorption and micronutrients deficiency when present in excessive amount in the diet. Improvement in milling and processing treatments has decrease the antinutritional compounds and increase the nutritive value of millets which improved its acceptability and consumption.