MAM
Unlocking the nutritional secrets: The magic of millets for optimal health
While having adequate health coverage is essential, we sometimes overlook the critical role nutrition plays in maintaining good health.
What are millets?
Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily in Africa and Asia. They are incredibly diverse, with various types like finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet and sorghum, just to name a few. These tiny grains pack a powerful nutritional punch and they’ve been a dietary staple for many cultures throughout history.
Millets: Nature’s nutritional powerhouses
1. Rich in nutrients
Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily in Africa and Asia. Millets are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy throughout the day. Millets are also a good source of B vitamins, particularly niacin (vitamin B3) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6), which are crucial for metabolism and overall well-being.
2. High in fibre
Fibre is essential for digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels. One of the standout features of millets is their high fibre content. Millets, with their abundant fibre, can aid in preventing constipation and promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which is increasingly recognized as a key factor in overall health.
3. Gluten-free
For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, millets are a fantastic alternative to wheat and other gluten-containing grains. They are naturally gluten-free, making them a safe choice.
4. Antioxidant-rich
Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Millets are loaded with antioxidants, including polyphenols and tannins.
Health benefits
1. Weight management
The combination of fibre and complex carbohydrates in millets helps control appetite and keeps you feeling full for longer periods. Millets for weight loss can be a valuable asset for individuals looking to manage their weight, potentially leading to lower health insurance premiums as maintaining a healthy weight is often associated with lower health risks.
2. Diabetes management
Millets have a low glycemic index, meaning they don’t cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Millets for health makes them an excellent choice for individuals with diabetes. Better blood sugar management can lead to reduced healthcare costs associated with diabetes.
3. Heart health
A healthier heart can translate to fewer heart-related medical expenses. The fibre, antioxidants and potassium in millets all contribute to heart health. These grains can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels and support overall cardiovascular well-being.
4. Bone health
Millets are a good source of magnesium and phosphorus, essential minerals for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Including millet in your diet can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis, potentially reducing the need for costly orthopaedic treatments.
Incorporating millet into your diet
Now that we’ve uncovered the nutritional secrets of millet, you may be wondering how to enjoy these grains in your daily meals. Here are some delicious and easy ways to incorporate millet into your diet:
∙ Start your day with a warm bowl of millet porridge, similar to oatmeal. Add your favourite toppings like fruits, nuts and honey for a nutritious and satisfying breakfast that can support your overall health and health insurance policy.
∙ Substitute millets for rice in your favourite pilaf or fried rice recipe. Their nutty flavour and fluffy texture work wonderfully.
∙ Use millet flour to make gluten-free baked goods like bread, muffins and pancakes.
∙ Prepare a refreshing millet salad with diced vegetables. This makes for a perfect side dish or a light lunch option that aligns with your health insurance goals.
Conclusion
Millets are more than just a nutritious grain; they can be a valuable ally in your quest for optimal health, which in turn can positively impact your health insurance. Incorporating millets into your diet, can harness the nutritional secrets they offer and potentially reduce the healthcare costs associated with chronic diseases. Good health isn’t just about comprehensive insurance plans, it’s about the choices you make every day to safeguard your well-being. So, why not give millets a try and experience the magic for yourself?
MAM
Brands push beyond compliance as trust takes centre stage
ASCI AdTrust Summit 2026 spotlights shift from legal checks to credibility.
MUMBAI: In a world where a disclaimer can be legally sound yet socially suspect, brands are learning that compliance may tick boxes but trust wins markets. At the inaugural ASCI AdTrust Summit 2026, a panel on “Beyond Compliance: The New Currency of Trust” unpacked a growing industry reality: the gap between what the law permits and what consumers accept is widening and fast.
Moderated by Meenakshi Ramkumar of National Law School of India University, the discussion brought together leaders across law, marketing and academia to examine how brands must evolve in a digital ecosystem increasingly shaped by scrutiny, scepticism and speed.
Ramkumar set the tone by highlighting a critical shift, advertising today operates in the same digital space that fuels misinformation, scams and fake news, making credibility harder to establish. “The challenge is not just about what brands do, but the broader context of low institutional trust,” she noted, adding that when violations go unchecked, trust erodes not just in brands but in the regulatory system itself.
This vacuum, she said, has given rise to consumer activism from boycotts to social media backlash as a parallel accountability mechanism.
For Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer at Marico, the distinction was clear, legal compliance is non negotiable, but insufficient. “Compliance is the minimum threshold. The real challenge is staying aligned with changing consumer expectations,” he said.
He pointed to how advertising narratives have evolved from traditional depictions of gender roles to more shared responsibilities reflecting a broader societal shift. “Earlier, it was fine to show one person doing the household work. Today, that may not land well. Consumers expect brands to reflect reality,” Bhasin observed.
He also highlighted internal debates where campaigns that may be legally permissible are still rejected for being culturally insensitive, noting that responsible advertising often requires asking uncomfortable questions before the public does.
If compliance is the baseline, reputation is the battlefield.
Bhasin noted that reputational risk has become a far greater concern than legal exposure, particularly in an era where campaigns can be dissected within hours online. “Earlier, a controversial ad might invite a newspaper editorial. Today, within hours, you’re at the centre of a storm,” he said.
Brands, he added, now evaluate campaigns through a dual lens legal viability and reputational vulnerability with the latter often proving more decisive.
From a healthcare perspective, Satish Sahoo of Cipla Health underscored the complexity of operating within fragmented yet stringent regulatory frameworks, spanning drugs, food, cosmetics and Ayush. “Anything under a drug licence is the most tightly regulated,” he said, adding that this necessitates proactive, not reactive, compliance.
He shared an example from the oral rehydration salts (ORS) category, where Cipla resisted the temptation to position products aggressively despite competitive pressure. “Our product is WHO compliant, and our communication reflects that. We chose not to blur the lines, even if others did,” he noted.
The long term payoff, he suggested, lies in credibility built over consistency, not quick wins.
Yet, as Harsha N of National Law School of India University pointed out, even perfect compliance does not guarantee trust. Drawing from historical and modern examples from exaggerated product claims in the 1800s to contemporary environmental and health advertising, he argued that legal frameworks often lag behind consumer expectations. “A brand can be fully compliant and still be perceived as misleading,” he said, citing instances where fine print disclosures fail to reach or convince the average consumer. He added that larger companies carry a disproportionate responsibility to set ethical benchmarks, even in areas where the law remains silent.
The conversation also turned to digital advertising, where the challenge extends beyond content to how ads are experienced. From algorithmic targeting to personalised messaging, brands now operate in an environment where regulation struggles to keep pace with technology.
Sahoo noted that social media has amplified awareness, with influencers and consumers increasingly scrutinising product claims and calling out inconsistencies. “Awareness has gone up dramatically. People are questioning what goes into products and what brands are saying,” he said.
The role of self regulatory bodies such as Advertising Standards Council of India also came under the spotlight.
Harsha acknowledged that while SROs play a crucial role, they are not immune to criticism, particularly around perceived conflicts of interest and enforcement gaps. “SROs have a higher threshold of responsibility not just to interpret the law, but to anticipate societal expectations,” he said.
He added that failures in self regulation often push the burden back onto government intervention, underscoring the need for stronger, more proactive oversight.
One of the more nuanced debates centred on whether building trust comes at a cost. While Sahoo acknowledged that quality and compliance can increase costs, he argued that companies must absorb them as part of their long term strategy.
Bhasin, however, framed the challenge differently not as cost, but as competitiveness in a market where not all players play by the same rules. “The real tension is when others cut corners and you choose not to,” he said.
The panel concluded with a call to embed trust into business metrics.
Sahoo suggested that organisations must go beyond revenue targets to include consumer equity and trust based KPIs, ensuring that ethical considerations are not sidelined in the pursuit of growth. “Trust sounds abstract, but it can translate into measurable consumer equity,” he said.
As the discussion wrapped up, one message stood out: the rules of advertising are being rewritten not just by regulators, but by consumers themselves. In an ecosystem where attention is fleeting and scepticism is high, brands that merely comply may survive, but those that build trust are the ones that endure.
