Millets for Health and Environment

By Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka

"Millets for Health and Environment: Unlocking the Potential of an Ancient Grain" is an insightful and comprehensive guide that explores the world of millets and their benefits for both health and the environment. The ebook delves into the history and geographical significance of millets, and the various types of millets and their nutritional profiles. It provides a detailed understanding of the benefits of consuming millets for health and nutrition, especially for women and children, athletes, and people with special dietary needs. The ebook also highlights the environmental benefits of millets, including their low water and input requirement, making them a sustainable crop for farmers and the environment. The ebook concludes with a focus on the importance of supporting millet farmers, the benefits of millets for global community and rural communities, and the role of millets in promoting a healthier and sustainable lifestyle. This is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the many benefits of millets and how they can help promote a healthier and sustainable world. In an effort to promote awareness and boost the production and consumption of millets, the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka
• Release date: Feb 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215183960

Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka

I am involved in Environment and Development work for the past 25 years. Contributing to Climate Resilience, Environmental Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction, Rural Energy - good stoves, biochar, Water Resources, and Agriculture. An innovator, writer, podcaster, lecturer, presenter, and development professional.

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Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka

Millets

for Health and Environment

Copyright © 2023 by Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

First edition

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Contents

Introduction to Millets

The Different Types of Millets

The Nutritional Profile of Millets

Understanding the Benefits of Millets for Health and Nutrition

Enhancing the Popularity of Millets

The Agricultural Side of Millets

Overcoming the Challenges of Millet Cultivation for Farmers

The Nutritional Benefits of Millets for Women and Children

The Nutritional Benefits of Millets for Athletes and Sportsmen

The Benefits of Millets for People with Special Dietary Needs

The Nutritional Benefits of Millets for Aged People

Cooking with Millets: Understanding the Benefits of Cooking with Millets

The Benefits of Millets for the Environment and Climate Change

Understanding the Production and Supply of Millets

The Benefits of Millets for the Global Community

Millets and the history

Epitome

References

Introduction to Millets

Millets have been a staple food source for civilizations around the world for thousands of years, providing essential nutrients and sustenance to those who consumed them. Archaeological evidence supports the widespread consumption of millets, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Chinese, Egyptian, and Indian.

In India, millets have been mentioned in some of the oldest Yajurveda texts, identifying foxtail millet (priyangava), barnyard millet (aanava) and black finger millet (shyaamaka), thus indicating that millet consumption was very common and pre-dates the Indian Bronze Age (4,500 BC). Millets were the major grain grown in India even until 50 years ago and were an integral part of local food culture.

However, with modernization and urbanization, the consumption of millets decreased and was often looked down upon as a coarse grain. This shift towards a more refined diet, however, lacks the important nutrients that were present in millets.

Today, there is a growing interest in the consumption of millets as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional grains. The recognition of the environmental and health benefits of millets has led to a renewed focus on this ancient grain and its potential to support a healthy and sustainable future.

In an effort to promote awareness and boost the production and consumption of millets, the United Nations, at the request of the Indian government, has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

This group of small-seeded grasses has been cultivated for their high nutritional value, drought tolerance, and versatility in cooking. There are several types of millets, each with unique characteristics and uses. Here are the names of the most