Does millet consumption contribute to raising blood hemoglobin levels compared to regular refined staples?: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Millets are recognized for their health and nutritional values, and the United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. Among the several health and nutritional benefits of millets, their impact on hemoglobin concentration is important since anemia is a major public health issue in many countries. To investigate the effect of millet (including sorghum) consumption on hemoglobin concentration in the blood, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Thirteen published studies featuring randomized control trials involving 590 individuals in the intervention group and 549 control individuals were eligible for the meta-analysis. The difference-in-differences analysis revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) positive effects of millet consumption on hemoglobin concentration, with an effect size of +0.68 standardized mean difference units. The change in hemoglobin concentration observed in the intervention group was +13.6%, which is statistically significant (p < 0.0005), compared to that in the control group, which was +4.8% and not statistically significant (p = 0.1362). In four studies, the consumption of millets in the intervention group demonstrated a change from mild anemia to normal status among children, whereas there was no change in the control group. The findings provide evidence that the consumption of millets can improve blood hemoglobin concentration, likely resulting from increased iron intake. Further research is needed involving the assessment of iron content and bioavailability to better understand the effect variation among millet types and the mechanisms involved.

Development of a new food composition table: An updated tool for estimating nutrient intake in Bangladeshi population.

Valid and reliable food composition data have a crucial role in all nutrition-related activities in a country. However, existing food composition tables in Bangladesh date back to 1970s and are outdated in terms of data quality. Consequently, it was imperative to revise the food composition table for Bangladesh (FCTB). This paper describes the generation of an updated food composition database (FCDB) for Bangladesh following international standards. Primary analytical values from 74 foods (including 54 prioritized key foods (KFs)) were generated through component-specific Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) or other internationally accredited methods. Secondary compositional values (analytical, estimated, borrowed, or calculated) were assembled and compiled in accordance with the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) guidelines and standards. The FCDB now contains updated and well-structured reliable values for 447 foods and 89 components that will have important usages for all stakeholders in the country and elsewhere.

Prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension and its associated factors among women from Northeast India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension and its risk factors among women from North-eastern States of India. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in two north-eastern States. Information was collected on household's socio-economic & demographic particulars. Height (cm), weight (kg), waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured on all the selected women. Association between overweight/obesity, hypertension with socio-demographic variables was tested using Chi-square and logistic regression was done. Total 1047 women were covered from both the states. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency was 19% & 10%, overweight/obesity (BMI≥23) was 17.5% & 26% and hypertension was 15% & 17% (age adjusted 19.6% & 17%) respectively among women from Meghalaya & Nagaland. The prevalence of pre-hypertension was observed more among women from Nagaland (36.5%) as compared to Meghalaya (18.3%). Only 31% women were aware of hypertension and 6% had history of hypertension and 82% of them were on treatment. The prevalence of hypertension was observed high among 36-49 years and among overweight/obese women. On logistic regression, only age, BMI and use of additional salt was observed to be significantly associated with hypertension, while living in pucca house was associated with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypertension was similar in both the states (15-17%) and pre-hypertension was high among women from Nagaland. This is warning sign for women in Nagaland. There is an urgent need to undertake more health & nutrition education sessions along with regular check-up for early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

Millets Can Have a Major Impact on Improving Iron Status, Hemoglobin Level, and in Reducing Iron Deficiency Anemia-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is highest among low and middle-income countries. Millets, including sorghum, are a traditional staple in many of these countries and are known to be rich in iron. However, a wide variation in the iron composition of millets has been reported, which needs to be understood in consonance with its bioavailability and roles in reducing anemia. This systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to analyze the scientific evidence on the bioavailability of iron in different types of millets, processing, and the impact of millet-based food on iron status and anemia. The results indicated that iron levels in the millets used to study iron bioavailability (both in vivo and in vitro) and efficacy varied with the type and variety from 2 mg/100 g to 8 mg/100 g. However, not all the efficacy studies indicated the iron levels in the millets. There were 30 research studies, including 22 human interventions and 8 in vitro studies, included in the meta-analysis which all discussed various outcomes such as hemoglobin level, serum ferritin level, and absorbed iron. The studies included finger millet, pearl millet, teff and sorghum, or a mixture of millets. The results of 19 studies conducted on anaemic individuals showed that there was a significant (p < 0.01) increase in hemoglobin levels by 13.2% following regular consumption (21 days to 4.5 years) of millets either as a meal or drink compared with regular diets where there was only 2.7% increase. Seven studies on adolescents showed increases in hemoglobin levels from 10.8 ± 1.4 (moderate anemia) to 12.2 ± 1.5 g/dl (normal). Two studies conducted on humans demonstrated that consumption of a pearl millet-based meal significantly increased the bioavailable iron (p < 0.01), with the percentage of bioavailability being 7.5 ± 1.6, and provided bioavailable iron of 1 ± 0.4 mg. Four studies conducted on humans showed significant increases in ferritin level (p < 0.05) up to 54.7%. Eight in-vitro studies showed that traditional processing methods such as fermentation and germination can improve bioavailable iron significantly (p < 0.01) by 3.4 and 2.2 times and contributed to 143 and 95% of the physiological requirement of women, respectively. Overall, this study showed that millets can reduce iron deficiency anemia.

Traditional and Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables for Food System Transformation.

Fruit and vegetable consumption is recommended in numerous food-based dietary guidelines and forms a key recommendation in many international statements related to healthy diets. There are thousands of fruit and vegetable species from which to choose, but despite this abundance from nature, populations in most countries neither produce nor consume the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables. There is enormous potential to better incorporate the wealth of diverse fruit and vegetable species and varieties into food systems. Known and preserved by indigenous communities, these hidden food treasures can foster collaborative research and learning. This perspective from the Task Force on Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) highlights 5 key actions that can be taken by individuals, communities, and nations to reshape dialogue about traditional and indigenous fruits and vegetables to benefit people and planetary ecosystems.

Dietary adequacy and nutritional status of Meitei community of Manipur, Northeast India.

Meitei is the main ethnic community that belongs to the north-eastern state of Manipur in India. This community is bestowed with rich biodiverse resources with indigenous foods still form an integral part of their diet. However, limited data on the food and nutrient consumption as well as nutritional status of this community are available. This study was carried out on the children, adolescents and women of reproductive age (WRA) of this community from 12 villages, to determine their food consumption pattern and nutritional status. Basic anthropometry and 24-h dietary intake assessment was conducted. The prevalence of underweight was 27%, stunting was 45% and wasting was 12% in children below 5 years. Stunting was observed among 34% of children 5-17 years of age. About 7% of WRA were undernourished, while 28% were overweight or obese. About 55% of 1-7 year-old children had mean probability adequacy of 12 micronutrients <0.5, and the adequacy of individual micronutrients namely vitamin A, E and calcium were low. Dietary determinants such as low dietary diversity score, dietary species richness and the lowest tertiles of different food groups' intake (except for sugars, fish and sea foods and spices and condiments) predicted micronutrient inadequacy. In addition to a high prevalence of undernutrition in children and adolescents and overnutrition in WRA, the effect of various dietary determinants on micronutrient adequacy in the study group of the Meitei community are reported.

Mother and child nutrition among the Chakhesang tribe in the state of Nagaland, North-East India.

Despite the importance of the nutritional status and food systems of Indigenous Peoples, the subject has received very little attention, especially in North-East India. Therefore, a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among Chakhesang mothers with children under 5 years of age to evaluate their nutritional status and prevalence of chronic diseases in the context of their dietary habits. From 558 households (HHs), 661 children and 540 mothers were covered using standard anthropometric measurements as well as blood collection for haemoglobin and vitamin A. Data were collected from mothers on HH socio-demographic particulars and infant and young child feeding practices. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting among children <5 years of age was 14%, 22%, and 7%, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia and vitamin A deficiency was 26% and 33% among children <5 years, whereas it was 33% and 26%, respectively, among mothers. Hypertension was observed in 16% of women, whereas diabetes was seen in 0.8%. Approximately 35% and 24% of HHs suffered mild or moderate food insecurity, respectively, which was associated with literacy of the parents, per capita income, and family size. Utilization of the rich agrobiodiversity and wild foods by the Chakhesangs appears to be a strong reason for their better nutritional and health status as compared to the rest of India. Therefore, this Indigenous knowledge and food system must be documented and kept vital, especially in policies and intervention programmes addressing food and nutrition security among the Chakhesangs.

Nutritional status, food insecurity, and biodiversity among the Khasi in Meghalaya, North-East India.

A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 603 children ages 5 and under and 500 of their mothers from 510 households to examine the prevalence of undernutrition and chronic diseases among the Khasis of North-East India. Anthropometric measurements including Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, height, and weight were taken. Dry blood spots to estimate haemoglobin and vitamin A were collected from children and women separately by finger prick. Mothers provided data about household socio-demographic particulars and infant and young child feeding practices. The prevalence in children of underweight was 31%, stunting was 57%, and wasting was 10%. Undernutrition was higher among boys as compared to girls. Nutrient intakes were below recommended levels. The prevalence of anaemia among children ages 1 to 5 years old was 68%, and vitamin A deficiency was 59%, and they were 83% and 48%, respectively, among women. Hypertension was observed in 15% of women, whereas diabetes was less than 1%. Only about 20% of households were food secure, and this was associated with parental literacy, per capita income, and family size. Undernutrition was unacceptably high among the Khasis despite rich food biodiversity. Proper implementation of nutritional intervention programs such as Integrated Child Development Services, Mid Day Meal, and the Public Distribution System will improve the nutrient intake and nutritional status of the population. Additionally, preservation of forest lands and products paired with judicious use of the rich food biodiversity available will promote dietary diversity and ultimately better nutrition and health.

Amino acid profiles and digestible indispensable amino acid scores of proteins from the prioritized key foods in Bangladesh.

Concentrations of standard amino acids were determined in the composite samples (representing 30 agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh) of six prioritized key dietary protein sources: Oryza sativa (rice), Triticum aestivum (wheat flour), Lens culinaris (lentils), Pangusius pangusius (pangas), Labeo rohita (rohu) and Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). Digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) was calculated using published data on amino acids' digestibility to evaluate the protein quality of these foods. Indispensable amino acid (IAA) contents (mg IAA/g protein), found to be highest in pangas (430) and lowest in wheat (336), of all these analyzed foods exceeded the FAO recommended daily allowance (277mg IAA/g protein) and contributed on average 40% to total amino acid contents. Untruncated DIAAS values ranged from 51% (lysine) in wheat to 106% (histidine) in pangas and distinguished pangas, rohu, and tilapia containing 'excellent quality' protein (DIAAS>100%) with potential to complement lower quality protein of cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Eri silkworm: a source of edible oil with a high content of α-linolenic acid and of significant nutritional value.

BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to provide value addition to spent eri silkworm as an alternative source of edible oil for the food and feed industry by carrying out a short-term nutritional and toxicological evaluation of eri silkworm pupae oil using Wistar NIN rats. RESULTS: Growth performance of rats fed either sunflower oil (Control) or eri silkworm pupae oil (Experimental) was comparable. Histopathological examination of the various tissues showed no signs of toxicity even after feeding the eri silkworm oil for 18 weeks. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased (P < 0.05) which is attributed to the high α-linolenic acid content of eri silkworm oil. CONCLUSION: The study showed that eri silkworm pupae oil is safe and nutritionally equivalent to commonly used vegetable oils. Eri silkworm pupae can be harvested to provide a cost effective alternative edible oil that can be used to nutritional advantage in the food and feed industry. Therefore eri silkworm and its host plants offer an excellent example of multiple product crops and of sustainable agricultural practice with excellent opportunity for economic and nutritional benefits.