Vol. 8, Issue 2 (2020)

This review explores with the nutrition of finger millet and their role with respect to the health benefits associated with millet. Finger Millet, referred to as Ragi is considered as most important millets grown widely in several regions of Africa and India. After wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, and bajra it is sixth-ranked in India. Finger millet, Proso millet, Italian millet, and Little millet are the most commonly grown species among various varieties of millet. In India, among small millets, ragi occupies the majority of the area under cultivation. Finger millet stands peculiar among the cereal crops like rye, barley, and oats with the highest nutritional contents and has more benefits as a survival food crop. This millet is additionally an upscale source of, riboflavin, thiamine, iron, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, leucine, and other essential amino acids also. The richness of these phytochemicals boosts the nutraceutical potential of finger millet, making it a powerhouse of health benefiting nutrients. Finger millet is also known for many health benefits like antitumorigenic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, atherosclerogenic effects, antioxidants, which are mainly due to its contents of polyphenol and dietary fiber. Flours made by using finger millet can be used for preparation of various nutrient dense recipes which can be efficiently used for additional feeding programs.