Calls to fight lifestyle diseases affecting Kenyans have gained momentum with citizens being advised to embrace traditional diets. This, experts say, help in managing diabetes. Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of Traditional Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) said.
"Just one cup of cooked millet which includes sorghum, finger millet, foxtail millet and other small millets provide impressive dose of fibre making it delicious and effective in addition to a diabetes -friendly diet" said Dr Hughes.
A wide range of grains collectively known as millets are crucial in managing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. This is done by stabilizing blood sugar levels.
In New Year celebrations, Mwingi North MP Paul Nzengu urged his constituents to go for testing for diabetes as well as hypertension and stroke which are ravaging big chunks of his population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.3 % of Kenyans live with diabetes and this could rise to 4.5 % by next year.
Changes in lifestyle among Kenyans has been cited as a factor leading to increase in cases of diabetes. This includes eating unhealthy foods.
Other benefits of millet are being rich in dietary fibre. Studies show that high fibre diets are key in controlling insulin levels hence fighting diabetes.
Millets are rich in essential nutrients like protein, vitamin and minerals. Diverse millets contain calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. Magnesium and zinc help in regulating blood sugar levels.
90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This is caused by socioeconomic, demographic, environmental and genetic factors.
The surge in type 2 diabetes is also contributed to by urbanization, an ageing population, decreasing levels of physical activity, obesity and being overweight.
The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets to drive a specific focus on the role of grains in promoting healthy living.
STORY By MWINGI TIMES TEAM
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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