Boosting Health Benefits of Noodles with Millet and Green Banana Flour

Jenn Hoskins
20th August, 2024

Boosting Health Benefits of Noodles with Millet and Green Banana Flour

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by BCSIR in Bangladesh found that adding foxtail millet flour (FMF) and green banana flour (GBF) to noodles significantly boosts their nutritional and antioxidant properties
  • Noodles with higher FMF content showed increased protein, essential minerals, dietary fiber, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidants compared to regular noodles
  • Noodles containing 30% FMF and 10% GBF maintained good taste and texture, and also supported the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing their prebiotic potential
Foxtail millet (FM) and green banana (GB) are known for their rich nutritional profiles and bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and dietary fibers. A recent study conducted by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)[1] explored the benefits of incorporating these ingredients into noodles. The study focused on evaluating the impact of adding 10% green banana flour (GBF) and varying proportions (10-40%) of foxtail millet flour (FMF) on various quality parameters of noodles, such as prebiotic potential, antioxidant activity, nutrient content, color, cooking quality, water activity, and sensory attributes. The findings of this study indicate that the addition of FMF and GBF significantly enhances the nutritional and antioxidant properties of noodles. Specifically, noodles with higher FMF content demonstrated increased levels of protein, essential minerals (including iron, magnesium, and manganese), dietary fiber, total phenolic compounds, and total antioxidants compared to control noodles. These enriched noodles also exhibited improved antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by enhanced DPPH and FRAP activities. The sensory evaluation revealed that noodles containing 30% FMF and 10% GBF received comparable scores to the control sample, suggesting that the enriched noodles maintained acceptable taste and texture. The prebiotic potential of the noodles was also significantly improved, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and L. acidophilus. This study builds on previous research that has highlighted the nutritional benefits of foxtail millet and green banana flour. For instance, a prior study developed nutri-rich instant noodles using foxtail millet flour to improve protein and nutrient content[2]. The incorporation of FMF in the current study aligns with these findings and further demonstrates the potential of foxtail millet to enhance the nutritional profile of food products. Additionally, the use of green banana flour in gluten-free products has been shown to offer high protein content and good sensory characteristics[3]. The current study's use of GBF supports these findings and highlights its potential as a valuable ingredient in enhancing the nutritional quality of noodles. Millets, including foxtail millet, are known for their rich mineral and vitamin content, as well as their therapeutic properties[4]. The current study's findings on the enhanced nutrient and antioxidant content of FMF-enriched noodles further underscore the value of millets as a nutritionally superior ingredient. Moreover, the study on minor millets demonstrated that these grains have a lower glycemic index compared to wheat, making them a healthier alternative for individuals with lifestyle and metabolic disorders[5]. The current study's findings on the improved nutritional and antioxidant properties of FMF-enriched noodles align with this research, suggesting that these noodles may offer additional health benefits related to glycemic control and overall wellness. In conclusion, the incorporation of 30% foxtail millet flour and 10% green banana flour into noodles significantly enhances their nutritional and antioxidant qualities, as well as their prebiotic potential. This enrichment strategy offers a promising approach to developing healthier food products with multiple health benefits, supporting gut health and providing essential nutrients. The findings from this study by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) contribute to the growing body of evidence on the value of incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like foxtail millet and green banana flour into everyday food products.

NutritionHealthFitness And Diet

References

Main Study

1) Enhancing prebiotic, antioxidant, and nutritional qualities of noodles: A collaborative strategy with foxtail millet and green banana flour.

Published 19th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307909

Related Studies

2) Development of Novel Foxtail Millet-Based Nutri-Rich Instant Noodles: Chemical and Quality Characteristics.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12040819

3) Gluten-free green banana flour muffins: chemical, physical, antioxidant, digestibility and sensory analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04638-5

4) The nutrition and therapeutic potential of millets: an updated narrative review.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1346869

5) Influence of nutritional and antinutritional components on dough rheology and in vitro protein & starch digestibility of minor millets.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125115


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