A Review of the Potential Consequences of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) for Diabetes Mellitus and Other Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has become a troublesome and increasingly widespread condition. Treatment strategies for diabetes prevention in high-risk as well as in affected individuals are largely attributed to improvements in lifestyle and dietary control. Therefore, it is important to understand the nutritional factors to be used in dietary intervention. A decreased risk of diabetes is associated with daily intake of millet-based foods. Pearl millet is a highly nutritious grain, nutritionally comparable and even superior in calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to other large cereals, although its intake is confined to lower income segments of society. Pearl millet contains phenolic compounds which possess antidiabetic activity. Thus, it can be used to prepare a variety of food products for diabetes mellitus. Moreover, it also has many health benefits, including combating diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, decreasing tumour occurrence, lowering blood pressure, heart disease risk, cholesterol, and fat absorption rate. Therefore, the current review addresses the role of pearl millet in managing diabetes.

High-protein, low glycemic index snack from optimized blend of three wholegrains exhibit nutraceutical quality and elicit low glycemic response in diabetic human subjects

“…The grains have been individually studied and their positive role in the management of diabetes is worthy of endorsement. Amaranth, acha and millet have received popular attention for their antidiabetic properties [23][24][25]. This property is attributed to the richness in ber and protein as well as the presence of complex carbohydrate and the low glycemic nature [26,27].…”

Nutritional Properties, Nutraceutical Potential of Different Millets, and Their Value-Added Food Products

“…Pearl millet helps in reducing respiratory disease, migraine, and gall stones [57]. It is reported to have anticancerous, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory property [14,55,58]. It helps in increasing hemoglobin, antiallergic, helps in dealing with constipation, antiulcerative properties, helps in weight loss and essential for bone growth and development, prevents cardio-vascular diseases, regulates blood pressure, helpful in celiac disease [57,58].…”

Nourishing the Cognition with Millets: A Comprehensive Review of Their Nutritional Impact and Potential as Cognitive Enhancers

“…Similarly, pearl millet (P. glaucum) has been shown to possess high levels of polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which exhibit strong antioxidant activity. [65] The researchers concluded that pearl millet could act as a potential source of antioxidants and contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress and associated health complications. The estimated number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) was calculated per 100 000 individuals.…”