FOXTAIL MILLET: HEALTH BENEFITS OF A CLIMATE RESILIENT CROP

 

The world is celebrating 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023). Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has recognized 2023 as IYM2023 for creating awareness about the health and nutritional benefits of millets on the proposal of India. Millets are a diverse group of small-grained (seeded) dryland cereals from the grass family (Poaceae, earlier known as Graminae). They include pearl, proso, foxtail, barnyard, little, kodo, brown top, finger, fonio, sorghum, and guinea millets. Foxtail millet (named due to bushy, tail-like appearance of its immature panicles), botanically known as Setaria italica, is one of the world’s oldest crops. It was domesticated in Northern China approximately 8700 years ago and spread to India and other countries of the world later. Now, it is cultivated in drier parts of the world as it is a climate resilient crop.

Dried Panicles

Indian Names
Hindi: Kangni, Kankun, Tangun
Sanskrit: Kangni, Priyangu, Kanguk, Sukumar, Asthisbandhan
Marathi: Kangu, Kaun, Raal
Gujrati: Kaang
Tamil: Tinni
Bengali: Kaun, Kaakni, Kaanidhan, Kangni daana




PLANT MORPHOLOGY

An Inflorescence

Foxtail millet is an annual grass cultivated for its edible grains and as fodder. Stem, known as culm, are erect, robust, up to 150 cm tall and have 5–7-nodes. Leaves are strap-shaped and divided into leaf blade and leaf sheath. The outer margin of leaf-sheath is hairy. Leaf-blades are flat, 8-45 cm long and 5-20 mm wide. Margins of leaf-blade are cartilaginous and scaberulous. Inflorescence is a panicle. Panicle is spiciform, linear or oblong, 5-30 cm long and 0.8–2.4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches are accrescent and villous. Spikelets are subtended by involucre. Fertile spikelets are mostly 2-flowered, comprising of 1 upper fertile floret and sterile lower floret. Fruit is a grain with adherent pericarp. It is ellipsoid or orbicular, dorsally compressed and 1.5–2 mm long.

Discussion on Millets with Millet man of India Padma Shree Nek Ram Sharma Ji in his village in District Mandi (H.P.)

Harvesting of Foxtail Millet

USES

1. EDIBLE USES

Foxtail millet is a part of the diet in the Asian countries since antiquity. It can be cooked similar to rice or ground into flour and made into porridge, kheer, cakes, puddings etc. The sprouted grains become somewhat sweeter in taste. Foxtail millet is considered a nutritious food (Nutrient composition given below).

 

Nutrient Composition of Foxtail Millet (Kangni)  (Per 100 grams of grains)

Energy: 331-384 Calories  Protein: 10.7-12.3 g; Fat: 3.3-4.3 g; Carbohydrate: 60.9-84.2 g; Fibre: 1.4-8 g  Minerals - Calcium: 37mg; Phosphorus: 275mg; Iron: 6.2mg; Sodium: 8mg; Potassium: 281mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.48mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.14mg; Niacin: 2.48mg

 

Foxtail Grains

2. HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Management of Diabetes:

Foxtail millet has a low glycemic index (50) as compared to wheat, rice, and maize. It also has high fibre content which is considered good for the digestive system. Due to these reasons, it is considered beneficial for managing diabetes.

2. Lowers Bad Cholesterol:

Foxtail millet contains a good amount of threonine, a lipotropic amino acid. It promotes the export of fat from the liver and its catabolism to produce energy. Another amino acid found in abundance in foxtail millet is methionine which protects the livers from oxidizing substances. Lecithin, mixtures of glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid), present in foxtail milk also helps in lowering the cholesterol.

3. Makes Bones Stronger:

Foxtail millet is a good source of iron and calcium required for maintaining the health of bones and muscles.

4. Strengthens Nervous System:

The presence of vitamin B1 and phosphatidylcholines present in high quantity in foxtail millets is good for the maintenance of cognitive power.

5. Helpful in Weight Loss:

Tryptophan, an amino acid present in foxtail millet in ample amounts, plays a crucial role in preventing hunger pangs and thus managing healthy weight.

6. Good for Coeliacs

Foxtail millet is non-glutinous and thus beneficial for people with coeliac disease.

CAUTION

Foxtail millet contains anti-nutritional phytochemicals such as phytic acid and tannins. It is advisable to soak the grains in water for 5-6 hours and then boil before use.