Glycemic Response of Millets-based Diets – A Review by IRJET Journal

Glycemic Response of Millets-based Diets – A Review

Annapurna A1 , Gayathri C2 , Tehamina3, Babitha B4

1HOD, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, SDMSM Kalasala, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

2 & 3 Faculty, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, SDMSM Kalasala, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

4Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract - A major contributing factor to the rise in prediabetes and metabolic syndrome worldwide is the use of refined carbohydrates and poor eating habits. Millets are nutrient-dense, ancient cereals that have gained popularity recentlyas functionalfoodsthatcanimprovemetabolichealth andregulate glycemicresponse. Becauseoftheirnutrientslike dietary fiber, bioactive phytochemicals, and slowly digesting starch, theymayhelp control bloodsugar andfat metabolism. Concerning glycemic management and metabolic health in adults with prediabetes or at risk of type 2 diabetes, this review summarizes the most recent research. Consuming millet has been linked to enhanced insulin sensitivity, decreased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and decreased postprandialglucoseexcursionsinnumerousstudies.Bioactive substances that seem to affect oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and glucose transport include polyphenols, flavonoids, andresistant starch. Milletsmayalsoimprovelipid profiles by increasing HDL concentrations and decreasing triglycerides and total cholesterol. Diets based on millet have been shown to have potential as a dietary intervention to enhance metabolic health and glycaemic control.

Key Words: Millets, Glycemic response, Prediabetes, Insulin sensitivity, Dietary fiber, Functional foods

1.INTRODUCTION

Withanincreasingincidenceindifferentcountries, prediabetesandmetabolicsyndromerepresentasubstantial and growing global health burden, impacting hundreds of millions of people globally. According to Jean Jacques Noubiapetal.(2022),theprevalenceofmetabolicsyndrome variesbasedonthediagnosticcriteria,rangingfrom12.5% to31.4%worldwide.Metabolicillnessdisability-adjustedlife years (DALYs) have increased 1.6 to 3-fold over the past threedecades,withtheburdenbeinggreatestgeographically in populated nations like as China, India, and the United States (Huai Zhang et al., 2024). With a substantial progressionrisktotype2diabetes,prediabetesisbecoming more widely acknowledged as a diverse disorder (U. Hostaleketal.,2019;L.Sandforthetal.,2025).Toaddress this escalating metabolic health catastrophe, the pattern pointstotheurgentnecessityforinternationalpublichealth initiatives.

Thereisstrongevidencethatdietarycarbohydrates, especiallythosewithahighglycemicindex,increasetherisk ofmetabolicdisorders.Additionally,thereisevidencethat

thequalityofcarbohydratesisrelatedtometabolichealth. High glycemic index (GI) diets have been linked to an elevatedriskoftype2diabetesandcardiovasculardisease, according to numerous studies (S. Rizkalla et al., 2014). Consumingrefinedgrainsandsimplecarbsisconsistently associated with a greater incidence of metabolic diseases, accordingtoepidemiologicalstudies(KristinL.Morrisetal., 2009).Low-GIdietshavebeenlinkedtocertainmetabolic advantages, such as decreased insulin and postprandial glucose responses, improved lipid profiles, a possible decrease in fat production and an increase in insulin sensitivity.Althoughtheresearchindicatesthatthetypeof carbohydrate has a major impact on metabolic health, customizeddietarymethodsmightbethemostsuccessful(E. Blaaketal.,2016).

Milletsareseeingaglobalcomebackasfunctional foods because of their remarkable nutritional profile and several health advantages. The potential of millets to alleviate nutritional issues is constantly emphasized by researchers.Their nutrient densityandclimaticresilience arehighlightedbyRashmiSinghetal.(2023),whileAmadou etal.(2022)describetheirbioactivecomponentsthatmay havedisease-preventionqualities.Thereisstrongevidence that millets, which are high in protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and polyphenols, have the potential to help manage cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and promote gastrointestinal health. The convergence of dietary requirements,climateadaptation,andhealthconsciousness is transforming millets from underutilized crops into possibleglobalfunctionalfoodsolutions.Thisreviewaimsto synthesize current evidence on the effects of millet-based diets on glycemic response, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism,andinflammationinadultswithprediabetes.

1.1 Millets and their Nutritional Significance

Millets are termed Nutri-cereals as they are nutrientdense,drought-resistantgrainswithexceptionalnutritional significance, offering a comprehensive profile of essential nutrientsandpotentialhealthbenefits.Theyincludepearl, finger,foxtail,kodo,barnyard,tiny,andprosomillet,which areaclassofgrainswithsmallseeds.Theyareabundantin proteins,dietaryfiber,complexcarbohydrates,vitalminerals, and bioactive substances, including flavonoids and polyphenols.Milletsareloadedwithvitamins,minerals(iron, zinc,andmagnesium),proteins,andcarbs(RajuC.A.etal., 2024). They are also noteworthy for having high levels of

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protein,dietaryfiber,andcalcium(BhatSetal.,2018).The bioavailability of minerals (calcium and iron) can be improved by processes like fermentation which is key to lowering micronutrient deficiencies (Annapurna. A. et al., 2024). Millet has a higher nutritional density and a lower glycemic index than processed grains like wheat and rice. Bothconventionalandcontemporaryprocessingtechniques, likeextrusion,roasting,fermentation,anddehulling,might affect their functional qualitiesand nutritional value. Fig1 givesanoverviewofthepotentialhealthbenefitsofmillets, their production (1950-2020) and the challenges in millet utilization(Giridharanetal.,2020).

Fig -1:Millets:Healthbenefits,productionandchallenges (Giridharanetal.,2020)

1.2 Millets and Glycemic Response

Millets often have a low to moderate glycemic index because of their high fiber content and slowly digested starch.AccordingtoRotelaSetal.(2021)andGaganTripathi etal.(2023),milletshaveantioxidantqualitiesthatcanhelp prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and possibly lower the risk of cancer. Soluble fibers and resistant starch help to reduce postprandial spikesbyslowingtheabsorptionofglucose.Thewaystarch is cooked and processed might have an impact on its digestibility.Forinstance,fermentationorlittleprocessing protects bioactive components, but overcooking can raise the glycemic load. Millets are appropriate for dietary treatmentsinpopulationswithprediabetesbecauseofthese qualities.Theyareappropriateforpeoplewithcertain dietary needs because they are gluten-free as well (AnaghaKetal.,2023).GIofdifferentmilletsisgiven inTable1(ShobhanaSetal.,2013)

1.3 Millets and Bioactive Compounds

Milletsprovideantioxidants,flavonoids,andpolyphenolsthat haveavarietyofmetaboliceffects.AccordingtoC.Suniletal. (2024)and P. K. Sadh et al.(2024), millets are specifically richinphenolicacids,flavonoids,carotenoids,andbioactive peptides. These substances exhibit exceptional healthpromotingqualities,suchasanti-inflammatory,anti-cancer, anti-diabetic,andantioxidanteffects(P.K.Sadhetal.,2024).

In addition to lowering oxidative stress and modifying inflammatory pathways, these substances can block the enzymesthatbreakdowncarbohydrates(α-amylaseandαglucosidase). The gut microbiota and millet bioactive compoundscombinetoproducemoreshort-chainfattyacids (SCFAs), which enhance lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity,accordingtorecentresearch.Certainprocessing techniques may result in lower amounts of bioactive compounds (C. Sunil et al., 2024), but germination and fermentationcanincreasethephenoliccontent(ShanLiang etal.,2019).

Table -1: Glycemic Index of Millets (Shobhana et al., 2013)

Fingermillet 38-45

Foxtailmillet 53

Pearlmillet 67

Sorghum 62-79

1.4 Millets and Recent Studies

Inpeoplewithprediabetesanddiabetes,milleteatinghas beenshowninclinicalandinterventionstudiestoenhance insulin sensitivity, lower HbA1c, and lessen postprandial glucoseexcursions.Positivealterationsinlipidprofiles,such aslowertriglyceridesandtotalcholesterolandhigherHDL cholesterol,arealsoreportedinsomestudies.Innumerous humantrials,milletshavebeenshowntosignificantlylower postprandialbloodglucoselevelsinavarietyofindividuals, demonstratingtheirpersistentpositiveimpactonglycemic response. According to a systematic review and metaanalysis, millet consumers significantly reduced their postprandialbloodsugar(15.1%,p=0.012)andfastingblood sugar (11.8%, p=0.001) (Anitha S et al., 2024). Glycemic indicesforvariousmilletsrangefrom49.64to58,whilerice hasaglycemicindexof77.96.Thesefindingsaresupported by other research, including one by Palanisamy T et al. (2020).Accordingtoclinicalresearch,fingermilletmuffins specifically reduced the glycemic response peaks in prediabetic people (Almaski A et al., 2022). Research has shown that the effect is constant among millet varieties, includingfinger,pearl,foxtail,andothers(NarayananJetal., 2016;LakshmiKumariPetal.,2002).Heterogeneousresults areobtained,though,becausestudydesignsdifferintermsof length,millettype,andmealcomposition.Fig2projectsthe impactofmilletpolyphenolsonvariousdiabeticfactors(Triki etal.,2022).

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Fig -2:EffectofPolyphenolsinMilletsonDiabeticfactors (Trikietal.,2022)

Researchoffersanunderstandingofthemetabolic advantagesofmillet.Eatingmillethasbeendemonstratedto improvelipidmetabolism,decreaseoxidativestress,increase insulinsignaling,andmodifytheexpressionoftheglucose transporter.Theseinvestigationsalsoassistinidentifyingthe activeingredients,suchaspolyphenolsandresistantstarch fractions,thathaveantidiabeticproperties.NarayananJetal., (2016) study on post prandial glucose levels in type 2 diabetespatientsshowedtheGIoffoxtaildosatobe59.25, whichisconsistentlylessthantheGI(77.96)ofricedosa.Ren etal.,(2018)observedadecreaseinfastingandpost-meal bloodsugarlevelsafterconsumptionof50g/dayoffoxtail millet.Fuetal.,(2020)foundthattheprolaminfromcooked foxtail millet resulted in insulin secretion in mice Other studiesindicateasignificantdecreaseinbloodglucoselevels inratsfedwith5–10%fingerorfoxtailmillet(Shobhanaet al.,2010;Hegdeetal.,2005).

1.5 Different millets and their glycemic efficacy

Glycemiccharacteristicsandnutrientcomposition differamongmilletspecies.Foxtailmillet,forinstance,hasa lotofslowlydigestedcarbohydrate,butfingermillethasa lot of polyphenols. Comparative research indicates that certain species have advantages in lipid metabolism and glycemic control. There is yet little proof, but blended or compositemilletproductsmighthavesynergisticeffects.A studybyS.Anithaetal.(2021)foundthatmilledrice(71.7± 14.4)andrefinedwheat(74.2±14.9)haveameanglycemic indexthatis36%higherthanthatofmillets(52.7±10.3). Job's tears, fonio, foxtail, barnyard, and teff millets, in particular, had the lowest mean GI (<55) and 35-79% efficacy in lowering the food glycemic index. According to (ThenmozhiPalanisamyetal.,2020),foxtailmillethadthe lowestglycemicindex,at49.64.Barnyardmillet,tinymillet, pearl millet, and koda millet were next, at 50, 52, and 58, respectively. Among diabetic subjects, long-term consumptiondramaticallyreducedfastingandpostprandial bloodglucoselevelsby12–15%,withanoteworthydecrease inHbA1clevels.

1.6 Potential metabolic benefits of millets

Themetabolicbenefitsofmilletsareprobablycomplex. Oneofthemaincausesistheslowerabsorptionanddigestion ofcarbohydratesbecauseofresistantstarchandhighfiber. ThesynthesisofSCFAandthealterationofgutmicrobiota, thedecreaseofoxidativestressandinflammatorycytokines, and the synergistic impact of bioactive substances on the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates are other factors. AccordingtoRadhaSetal.(2024),milletscanhelpwithlipid profileabnormalities,insulinresistance,andhyperglycemia. Kumar A et al. (2025) identified particular molecular pathways,suchasenhancedinsulinsensitivity,inhibitionof enzymes that break down glucose, and modification of importantsignalingpathwayslikePI3K/AKT.Milletshavea distinct nutritional composition that contributes to their metabolicbenefits.RashmiSinghetal.(2023)emphasized thelowglycemicindex,highfiber,andrichmineralcontentof millets.Furthersupportingmetabolichealth,SinghS.B.etal. (2023)showedthattheprebioticqualitiesofmilletscanhave agoodimpactongutflora.

3. CONCLUSIONS

Milletsdiverseproperties–nutritional,therapeutic, environmental sustainability and economic probability –makethemaninvaluablecropofthefuture. Milletshavea lotofpromiseasfunctionalstaplefoodstohelpprediabetic adults with their glycemic management and metabolic health.Improvedglucoseregulation,lipidmetabolism,and decreasedinflammationareallfacilitatedbytheirhighfiber content,lowglycemicindex,andbioactivesubstances.Itmay be possible to avoid type 2 diabetes and associated metabolicdiseasesinasustainableandculturallyacceptable waybyencouragingmillet-baseddiets.

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