Potential Functional Implications of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana) in Health and Disease

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), also known as Nachani, Ragi or Nagli, is one of third most important millet (sorghum and pearl millet) grown in tropical semi-arid regions of the world primarily in India and Africa. The aim of the study is to review the potential health benefits of finger millet. Desk reviews were collected from Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli University, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, libraries and other web sources etc. Finger millet is rich in several nutrients as well as non-nutrients such as phenols. It has high energy, has less starch, high fiber (3.6 g/ 100 g, most of which is insoluble), has low glycemic index (55) and is gluten free. The protein content ranges from 5.6 to 12.70 % and it is low in lysine, tryptophan, threonine and the sulfur-containing amino acids. The energy of millet is greater than sorghum and nearly equal to that of brown rice because the lipid content is generally higher (1.3 to 2 %). Total ash content is higher in finger millet than in commonly consumed cereal grains. The ash content has been found to be nearly 1.7 to 4.13 % in finger millet. Calcium and iron content of finger millet ranged from 162 to 487 mg % and 3.61 mg/100 g to 5.42 mg % respectively. Calcium deficiency leading to bone and teeth disorder, iron deficiency leading to anemia can be overcome by introducing finger millet in our daily diet. They are also recognized for their health beneficial effects, such as anti-diabetic, anti-tumerogenic, atherosclerogenic effects, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.