ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity (Sthaulya) and Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumeha) are major metabolic disorders with increasing global prevalence and constitutes a foremost public health challenge of the twenty-first century. Conventional pharmacological approaches carry significant side-effect burdens and do not address underlying dietary aetiology. Ayurveda recommends Sushrutokta Kudhanyas (millets) as therapeutic dietary components for treating these disorders. The ancient Ayurvedic treatise Sushruta Samhita classifies a distinct group of minor low-grade cereals under the denomination Kudhanyas (inferior grains / millets). Out of the fifteen inferior grains enumerated in Sushrut Samhita, four are specifically indicated for Prameha (diabetes), Sthoulya (obesity), and Medoroga (dyslipidaemia). These are Kodrava (Kodo millet - Paspalum scrobiculatum), Shyamaka (Barnyard millet - Echinochloa frumentacea), Priyangu/Kangu (Foxtail millet - Setaria italica), and Sawa (Little millet - Panicum sumatrense). Objective: To critically evaluate the nutritional composition, glycemic index (GI), and Ayurvedic pharmacological properties of the four Sushrutokta Kudhanyas and assess their potential utility in the dietary management of obesity and DM in the light of classical Ayurvedic references and contemporary scientific evidence.Methods: Classical Ayurvedic literature and contemporary scientific studies were critically analyzed, including international GI datasets and peer-reviewed research.A systematic review of classical Ayurvedic texts particularly of Sushrut Samhita is done. For critically analysing the views of other authors Kudhanya related literature from Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam and pharamacological lexiconssuch as bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, Kaiyadeva Nighantu is also discussed. Present study is also supplemented by a structured search of PubMed, Google Scholar, ICMR databases, and WHO/FAO sources for peer-reviewed studies on the nutritional composition and glycemic properties of these four millets published between 1990 and 2025.Results: - All four Sushrutokta Kudhanyas demonstrate glycemic indices in the low-to-medium range (GI: 40–58), compared to white rice (GI: 72–89) and wheat bread (GI: 70–75). Their high dietary fiber content (7.6–9.8 g/100g), elevated resistant starch levels (14–22%), rich polyphenolic profile (250–415 mg GAE/100g), and superior micronutrient density are consistent with their classical description as Ruksha (dry/desiccating), Lekhana (scraping/lipolytic), and Kaphapittahara (mitigating Kapha and Pitta doshas) in Ayurvedic literature. Modern studies confirm inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, reduction of postprandial glycaemia, antilipidaemic, and anti-inflammatory actions.Conclusion: Based on convergent evidence from classical Ayurvedic references, nutritional data, and clinical research, the Sushrutokta Kudhanyas - Kodrava, Shyamaka, Priyangu, and Sawa - represent scientifically validated, safe, and culturally appropriate dietary interventions for the adjunctive management of obesity and diabetes mellitus.
Keywords - Kudhanya, Millets, Glycemic Index, Madhumeha, Sthaulya, Nutrition, Kodrava; Shyamaka; Priyangu; Sawa