[Millets to Combat Diabetes.]

Introduction
 Millets consumption has a long legacy and evidences of millets intake has been observed in Harappan archaeological sites and Kalidasa’s legendary literatures. Millets are small-grained, annual, warm-weather cereals belonging to grass family. In Tamil Nadu, besides cholam and cumbu, the millets like finger millet, thinai, kudiraivali, varagu and panivaragu and samai are cultivated which offer the much needed nutritional and livelihood security.

Mix Bisibele bath mix, Pulav, Jeera mix and biriyani. 

To meet the Snacks requirement of diabetic patients : Millet Kakkra, Millet bar, Millet laddu, Millet blended chocolate are prepared. Moreover, Nutritious blends like Nutri beverage, Malt and Commercially viable products like Millet based bakery products, extruded products and flaked products are prepared.
Millets Vs Diabetes
A substantial number of Indian children and women are underweight, anaemic and suffer from micronutrient deficiencies which are the indicators of malnutrition. Changes in lifestyle, decrease in diversification of cereals in food basket and increased share of junk foods during the recent period are the few major factors that hinders millets uptake. Research studies indicate that presence of insoluble fibre in millets not only increases intestinal transit times but also reduces the secretion of bile acids and thereby increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the triglycerides.

Workshop on MTCD
Owing to the nutritional superiority with special reference to diabetic patients and to create more awareness on millets among diabetic patients, a workshop was organized at State Planning Commission, under the chairmanship of Vice Chairperson, SPC on 06.02.2014 in which leading diabetologists, dieticians, medical practitioners, processors and food technology specialists apart from policy makers and officers participated.

A small exhibition was organized in association with Adhi Parasakthi Agricultural college, Kalavai, TNAU to make awareness on millets consumption among the public/Govt. servants. Presentations were made by leading diabetic medical practitioners, dieticians and SHG.

Nutritional Superiority
It has been scientifically proven that millets are way ahead of rice and wheat in terms of nutritional content. For instance, millets contain 10.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, as against rice which contains only 6.8 grams. Similarly, millets are also richer in fibre (1.3 grams to 10.1 grams), minerals (1.9 grams to 4.4 grams) and calcium (31 mg to 344 mg) in comparison to rice. In comparison to rice, millets with their low carbohydrate content, low digestibility and water soluble gum content (β–glucan) have been attributed to improve glucose metabolism. These grains release sugar slowly in the blood and also diminish the glucose absorption. For all these superior properties of minor millets, they are designated as nutritious millets.

Agricultural Policy & Planning Division State Planning Commission.

Millets Vs Diabetes 

A substantial number of Indian children and women are underweight, anaemic and suffer from micronutrient deficiencies which are the indicators of malnutrition. Changes in lifestyle, decrease in diversification of cereals in food basket and increased share of junk foods during the recent period are the few major factors that hinders millets uptake. Research studies indicate that presence of insoluble fibre in millets not only increases intestinal transit times but also reduces the secretion of bile acids and thereby increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the triglycerides.

Workshop on MTCD
Owing to the nutritional superiority with special reference to diabetic patients and to create more awareness on millets among diabetic patients, a workshop was organized at State Planning Commission, under the chairmanship of Vice Chairperson, SPC on 06.02.2014 in which leading diabetologists, dieticians, medical practitioners, processors and food technology specialists apart from policy makers and officers participated.

A small exhibition was organized in association with Adhi Parasakthi Agricultural college, Kalavai, TNAU to make awareness on millets consumption among the public/Govt. servants. Presentations were made by leading diabetic medical practitioners, dieticians and SHG.

Record of discussion of the interactive meeting on Millets to Combat Diabetes held on 06.02.2014 at State Planning Commission

The meeting was chaired by Tmt. Santha Sheela Nair, IAS.,(Retd.), Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission.

Thiru. M. Balaji,IAS, Member Secretary, State Planning Commission welcomed the participants.

Dr. K. Ramasamy, Member (Agri & Irri) SPC & Vice Chancellor Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

and Dr. K. Sridhar, Member (Health) briefed about the importance of millets in dietary schedule of diabetic patients.

The low glycemic index nature of millets and nutritional superiority of millets were highlighted. Triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids leading to insulin resistance.
The higher Glycemic Index/ Glycemic Load of the Indian diet due to intake of refined grains may play an important role in making Indians more susceptible to diabetes compared to Europeans, Chinese and other races. A study on Urban Indian Population to study the association of dietary carbohydrates & Glycemic load with risk of type - 2 diabetes mellitus conducted by the presenter among 1843 adults indicated that total dietary carbohydrates and glycemic load are associated with increased risk of T2DM.