Nutritional Importance of Finger Millet
Finger millet is an annual cereal crop widely cultivated in the dry regions of Africa and Asia. In India, particularly in Karnataka, it serves as a key part of the staple diet. Nutritionally, finger millet is highly valued for its rich content of calcium, essential minerals, and dietary fiber. The total carbohydrate content of finger millet ranges between 72% and 79.5%, with starch being the main component, accounting for about 59.4% to 70.2% of the total (Bhatt et al., 2003; Mittal, 2002).
The starch granules of finger millet are polygonal in shape, consisting of 80–85% amylopectin and 15–20% amylose. Non-starch polysaccharides form about 20–30% of the total carbohydrates, while reducing sugars account for 1.5% and non-reducing sugars for 0.03% (Bhatt et al., 2003). The white varieties of finger millet generally contain higher protein levels than the brown ones. It provides about 44.7% essential amino acids of the total amino acids (Mbithi et al., 2000), which is higher compared to many other cereals. As it is naturally gluten-free, finger millet is an excellent alternative for individuals with gluten intolerance.
Finger millet is also rich in dietary fiber, with total dietary fiber (TDF) at 12%, insoluble fiber (IDF) at 11%, and soluble fiber (SDF) at 2% (Ramulu and Rao, 1997). Earlier studies have reported 18.6% total dietary fiber and 3.6% crude fiber (Kamath and Belavady, 1980). High-fiber foods like finger millet support several health benefits such as delayed nutrient absorption, improved digestion, reduced blood lipid levels, enhanced bowel movement, and protection against colon cancer (Tharanathan and Mahadevamma, 2003). It also contains the amino acid tryptophan, which helps control appetite, making it beneficial for weight management.
Finger millet has a high antioxidant capacity compared to other millets like foxtail, little, and proso millets, with carotenoid content ranging from 78 to 366 mg/100 g (Mathanghi and Sudha, 2012). It provides about 344 mg of calcium and 408 mg of potassium, essential for strong bones and healthy teeth. Compared to white rice, it contains higher levels of minerals, fiber, and sulfur-containing amino acids (Shobana et al., 2013).
Although finger millet contains phytates (0.48%), polyphenols, tannins (0.61%), trypsin inhibitors, and dietary fiber—once regarded as anti-nutrients—they are now recognized as beneficial nutraceuticals. These compounds contribute to antioxidant activity, which helps protect against aging and metabolic disorders (Thompson, 1993). Finger millet also acts as a natural relaxant that can ease restlessness, insomnia, and stress-related headaches.
Research by Rajasekaran et al. (2004) highlighted its antioxidant effects in improving wound healing in diabetic rats by modulating inflammation and enhancing skin antioxidant status and nerve growth factor (NGF) production. This demonstrates the significant potential of finger millet as a health-promoting food for overall well-being.
