A recent study conducted in Delhi has revealed that incorporating millet-based diets alongside vitamin and multivitamin supplements can significantly improve levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and hemoglobin. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, the research addresses growing concerns over widespread hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies in India.
Study Details and Methodology
The randomized controlled trial was carried out among adults aged 18 to 45 years at the National Association of the Blind (NAB) in Delhi-NCR. It aimed to determine whether millet-rich diets combined with supplements could enhance nutritional status more effectively than supplements alone. Researchers noted that India continues to face a high burden of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron deficiencies due to poor dietary diversity and cereal-heavy diets.
Key Findings in Women
The study involved 54 participants divided into two groups for 60 days. One group received oral supplements of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and multivitamins, while the intervention group received the same supplements along with a millet-based diet. Results showed that women in the millet intervention group experienced significantly greater improvements in vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels compared to the control group. Hemoglobin levels also improved notably among women consuming millet-based meals.
Specifically, the intervention group recorded a median increase of 302 pg/mL in vitamin B12 levels, versus 78 pg/mL in the control group. For women, vitamin D levels increased by 49.9 ng/mL in the intervention group compared to 31.7 ng/mL in the control group.
Expert Insights
Nutritionist and study author Ishi Khosla emphasized that incorporating millets into the diet may enhance micronutrient absorption and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, including obesity. However, she cautioned that portion size and timing are crucial factors. The study was authored by researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the Celiac Society of India, and Dr. Dangs Lab, including Chandrakant S. Pandav, Kapil Yadav, Ishi Khosla, Arjun Dang, Binish Jawed, Anindita Das, and Aditya Baloni.
Implications for Dietary Practices
Researchers observed that India's shift away from traditional grains like millets after the Green Revolution may have contributed to rising micronutrient deficiencies. Millets are rich in minerals, fiber, and antioxidant compounds, offering a sustainable dietary strategy to combat nutritional deficiencies. However, the authors cautioned that supplements remained the primary driver for improvements in vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels, with the millet diet providing additive benefits.
The study also noted that improvements were more pronounced among women, while changes among men did not reach statistical significance. Researchers attributed this to the small male subgroup, which included only six participants in each arm, potentially limiting the findings.
