Removing bran on millets reduces the benefits of eating them: study

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Last Updated09/11/2024

Removing the bran from millets results in decreasing the protein, dietary fibre, fat, mineral and phytate content in them while increasing the carbohydrates and amylose content, a recent paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Springer has shown.

A recent study in the journal Nature Springer reveals that removing the bran from millets decreases their nutritional quality. The research emphasizes the importance of consuming whole-grain millets to preserve their health benefits.

Loss of Nutrients: Debranning reduces the protein, dietary fiber, fat, minerals, and phytates in millets while increasing carbohydrate and amylose content, diminishing the health benefits of millets.
Recommendation for Whole-Grain Millets: The authors suggest promoting dehusked (whole-grain) millets in Indian diets to improve diet quality, as debranned millets can raise the glycemic load of meals.

Rich Mineral Content: Millets are high in essential minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
Health Benefits: Millets contain beneficial phyto-compounds such as phenolics, offering anti-aging, anticancer, anti-atherosclerotic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
International Recognition: In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) celebrated the International Year of Millets, with strong support from the Indian government.

Market Trends: A market survey in 2018 found that polished millets, similar to white rice, were being sold widely, making it hard for consumers to distinguish between polished and whole-grain millets in packaged form.
Types of Millets Studied: The research focused on smaller millet varieties, including foxtail, little, kodo, barnyard, and proso millets.

Extended Shelf Life: Removing the bran and germ can extend shelf life, as the bran’s high fat content can lead to faster spoilage.
Improved Cooking Characteristics: Polished millets cook faster and have a softer, less chewy texture.

Impact on Glycemic Index: According to V. Mohan from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, polished millets have a higher glycemic index, which can be problematic for diabetic individuals.
Need for Unpolished Millets: There is a push to make whole, unpolished millets more accessible, benefiting individuals with diabetes and the broader population.

Advances in Packaging: Dr. Shobana suggests that packaging technologies, such as vacuum sealing, can extend the shelf life of whole grains, preserving their nutritional value without debranning.