Bajra (Pearl Millet) “The Millennium Food”

Pearl Millet (Pennisetumglaucum) also known as Bajra is one of the oldest millet used by our ancestors and is one of the most important cereal grow in tropical semi arid regions of the world primarily Asia and Africa. It is known to have a very high fiber. In India, it is used as regular meal in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. Previous studies have found that pearl millets are excellent source of micronutrients like iron and zinc. It also has certain antinutrient factors and inhibitors like phytic acid, polyphenols due to which the bio accessibility of iron and zinc is very low in pearl millet. Due to its potential health benefits it has now gained popularity, nutritionists and dieticians recommends it for the better health options. Bajra is very cheap millet known as “Poor People’s food”. It has enormous health benefits that it is being recommended to the patients of celiac disease, constipation and several noncommunicable diseases. This paper aims to review the potential health benefits of pearl millet.