Millets in Sustainable Food Systems: Insights into Processing Technologies, Nutritional Benefits, and Value-Added Applications

Millets are traditionally known for their high nutritional values, climate resilience, and ability to grow even in harsh environment. They have been significantly cultivated as sustainable crops for their need of low water requirement, tolerance to drought like conditions, and adaptability to marginal lands. They significantly help in dealing global problems of food insecurity, climate change, and malnourishment. Further, their rich nutritional value, including dietary fiber, protein content, vitamins, minerals, and different bioactives, makes them a valuable choice for developing functional and nutrition-rich foods. Different technologies and approaches have been developed to enhance and add-on to their nutritional value and avoid any processing damage. Moreover, millets also contribute to several United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) making them a critical part of food requirement. Literature search involved extensive collection and analysis of data from different databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), USFDA FoodData Central and other using keywords including “Millets”, “Value-added products”, “Fermentation”, “Germination”, “Extrusion”, “Nutritional Improvement”, and “Climate resilience” individually and in combination. Review demonstrates significant progress in optimization and development of value-added millet-based products like gluten-free bakery products, fortified products, functional beverages, ready-to-eat snacks, and nutraceuticals. Also, advanced processing techniques like germination, fermentation, malting, extrusion, and thermal treatments have been developed showing improved nutrition, digestibility, sensory characteristics, bioavailability, and overall consumer acceptance. The review discussed the promising and sustainable potential of millets in developing nutritious, consumer-friendly food product contributing to global health and food security.