Table 5.

Nutritional characteristics of various millets and medicinal uses.

Sr. No.	Millets	Common name	Micronutrient/Phytochemical	Vitamins	Mineral	Uses	Bad effect	Ref
1	Sorghum	Jawar	B-carotene, folic acid, riboflavin, fiber thiamine, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids	Vitamin B1, B2, B9	Calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, sodium and zinc	Lowers obesity, anti-carcinogenic, heart diseases, arthritis, esophageal cancer, hunger	Digestive issues, reduced mineral absorption, allergic reaction, thyroid function.	(112, 113)
2	Pearl millet	Bajra	Unsaturated fatty acids	Vitamin B, Complex and folate	Calcium, Copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc	Breathing problems, headaches, Anemia	Goitrogenic effects, Kidney stone, Thyroid dysfunction, allergic reaction.	(114)
3.	Finger millet	Ragi	Dietary Fibers and Protein	Vitamin A and Vitamin B	Calcium and Phosphorus	Diarrhea, gastrointestinal, cholesterol level in blood, etc	Kidney stone, Thyroid function, mineral absorption, digestive discomfort.	(115, 116)
4	Kodo millet	Kodra	Highest amount of dietary fiber, substantial protein content, lower fat and lecithin	Folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine	Calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc	Enhancing neurological system, postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular condition	Digestive issues, thyroid issue, mineral absorption. Constipation.	(117)
5	Little millet	Gajrao	Dietary Fiber (37–38%), protein, apeginin	Vitamin B	Phosphorus, iron	Heart diseases, diabetes, gluten allergy, increased cholesterol and anticancer properties.	Digestive delayed, thyroid issue, blood sugar, allergic reaction, reduce essential nutrients.	(118, 119)
6	Proso millet	China	Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, syringic acid.	Vitamin B	Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, iron, and zinc	Diabetes, Heart diseases	Thyroid interference, digestive discomfort, reduced mineral absorption, blood sugar spikes, allergic reaction.	(23)
7	Foxtail millet	Kangni	Protein, dietary fiber, catechin, quercetin, apigenin.	Vitamin B, Niacin (B3), Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1)	Calcium, iron, Copper	Heart diseases, diabetes, dyslipidemia, antibiotic, ulcers.	digestive discomfort, thyroid function, allergic reaction, kidney stone risk.	(120–122)
8	Barnyard millet	Swank or Shyama	Carbohydrate, protein, dietary fiber, Linolic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, phenolic compound, flavonoids, serotonin, tricin,	Vitamin B, Niacin, B-complex vitamin, folic acid.	Calcium, iron, magnesium	Diabetes, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, antibiotic, celiac diseases.	Delayed digestion, thyroid function, stomach upset,	(123–126)
9	Maize	Corn or Makka	Carbohydrate, vitamin, fat, fiber, Phenolic acids, flavonoids,	Vitamin B, Niacin (B3), Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid, Vitamin A	Calcium, phosphorous, potash, iron, and zinc	Diabetes, chronic diseases, Bone health.	Digestive problem, Blood sugar spikes, Weight gain, obesity, reduced mineral absorption, mycotoxin contamination, pellagra risk, metabolic syndrome.	(127, 128)
10	Wheat	Gehun	Phenolic acids, carotenoids, tocopherol, alkylresorcinols, benzoxaziboids, lignans, flavonoids, phenols, saponins etc.	Niacin (B3), Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1), Folate	Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium. Manganese, iron, and zinc	Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, antioxidant properties, malnutrition.	Celiac diseases, inflammatory bowl issues, sluggish digestion, weight gain, blood sugar spikes, skin problem, fatigue and kidney stone.	(129)
11	Rice	Chawal, Tandul, Bhat	Phenolic compound, phenolic acids, flavonoids, Tannins etc. phytates, phytosterol, carotenoids.	Niacin (B3), Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1), Vitamin E	Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium. Manganese, iron, and zinc	Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, weight management, digestive health cancer prevention, gluten free alternative etc.	Blood sugar spikes and diabetes issues, weight management issues, nutrient deficiency, digestive problem.	(130)