Millets (pearl and finger) as nutritional interventions for COVID 19 with focus on Zimbabwe: mini review

AbstractThough COVID 19 vaccines have proved to work effectively against SARS-CoV-2, nutritional interventions are central in boosting the immune system and reduce SARS-CoV-2 effects. The review aims at exploring the link between millets bioactive compounds (nutritional and phytochemical composition) and human immune system, as well as COVID-19 prevention and treatment. This mini review is based on the literature survey in these data sources: web of science, Scopus, Google scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate. Based on the nutritional value and their importance in nutritional security, increased consumption of millets can be beneficial in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 establishment. Small grains (pearl and finger millets) contain abundance of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phenols, proteins, vitamin E, and tannins with antioxidant properties. Results from the review indicated that finger millet-derived foods contain substantially higher content of micronutrients when compared with other cereals including wheat. Pearl millet another important Zimbabwean millet has a significantly high content of dietary fibres, starch, micronutrients, as well as antioxidants. Moreover, many of the millet-derived antioxidants, such as quercetin, and ellagic acid are known to mop up any foreign agents and toxins. This review addressed the link between millets (nutrients and bioactive compounds) and immune system as well as COVID-19 prevention and treatment. However, there is inconclusive data to explain the contributions of millets in COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and this calls for more randomized and controlled clinical trials to ratify their significance in infectious disease prevention and treatment.