**5. Millets**

Millets are small-seeded crops of many species that are commonly produced in India to meet the production of food needed for a growing population. Millets are rich in nutrients and provide a number of health advantages. Different species of millets include Finger millet, Pearl millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Kodo millet and Barnyard millet. Millet is considered as a versatile grain that can be consumed in a variety of ways, including porridge, bread, beverages, and malt [10]. Millets contain significant amount of tryptophan, methionine, aromatic amino acids and cystine. Origin of millet is considered to be in Asia and in Northern Africa. Millets have the ability to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, reduce diabetes, decrease high blood pressure, aids in maintaining healthy sleep routines, optimize kidneys, promote bone health and improve alkalinity. Millets are also gluten free and helps in relieving menstrual cramps in females.

#### **5.1 Finger millet**

Among the species of millet, Finger millet has a number of names that are used in different parts of the world (**Table 1**). The common finger millet is also called as *Eleusine coracana* in botanical terms [11].

#### **5.2 Pearl millet**

Around 500 million people across the world rely on pearl millet consumption and production for a living [10]. Pearl millet is a simple plant to grow compared to other grains. Pearl millet is known in the botanical name as *Pennisetum typhoides* and it also known in different names in different countries (**Table 2**).


#### **Table 1.**

*Alternative names used for finger millet by different countries across the world.*


**Table 2.**

*Alternative names used for pearl millet by different countries across the world.*


**Table 3.**

*Alternative names used for foxtail millet by different countries across the world.*
