A Comprehensive Review of the Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Health- Promoting Potential of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (Finger Millet)

Abstract

Eleusine coracana (finger millet), also known as Ragi is a traditional cereal extensively cultivated in India and parts of Africa, is gaining attention as a nutrient-dense food with multiple health-promoting properties. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Processing methods such as germination, fermentation, malting, and roasting have been shown to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of these bioactive compounds, further improving the nutritional and functional quality of finger millet-based foods. Scientific studies indicate that finger millet regulates oxidative stress, improves enzymatic antioxidant defenses, lowers postprandial glucose, modulates gut microbiota, inhibits pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and exhibits cytotoxic and chemopreventive effects against various cancer cell lines. Its prebiotic properties also support beneficial gut microbes, contributing to overall metabolic and immune health. This review consolidates current research on the phytochemical composition, biological activities, and therapeutic potential of Eleusine coracana, emphasizing its role as a functional food and a natural source of health-promoting compounds. Future research should focus on detailed characterization of bioactive constituents, optimization of processing techniques, and the development of nutraceuticals to fully harness the functional, therapeutic, and disease-preventive potential of finger millet.