Delivering low glycaemic index (GI) pearl millet grains for the benefits of type-2 diabetics in African regions

珍珠粟是一种抗旱哈代和可持续的谷物，具有比小麦和水稻更优越的上级抗旱控制。非洲地区主要为非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病的（2型）患者数量目前超过2500万，并且还在增加，而在英国，据估计到2025年将有500万人患有糖尿病。据估计，对于印度或非洲等国家的低收入家庭，如果有一名糖尿病成年人，家庭收入的25%可能会用于糖尿病护理。该项目建立在我们早期资助的IUK项目的基础上，这些项目已经确定了具有较低的营养指数（GI）和较高的产量和矿物质含量（如铁和锌）的有前途的珍珠粟杂交种。在这个项目中，我们将在非洲西部和东部的10个地点测试这些杂交种，并确定是否可以直接推荐这些杂交种用于这些地区2型糖尿病患者的种植。这些种子的可再生性将使小农户能够生产具有额外健康益处的谷物，为他们提供以更高价格交易其产品的机会，并且也为消费者和行业提供宝贵的原材料，以制作专门的功能性食品，以造福2型糖尿病患者。

Pearl millet is a drought hardy and sustainable cereal with superior glycaemic control over wheat and rice. The number of (type 2) mainly non-insulin dependent diabetics in African region is currently more than 25 million and rising, while in the UK it is estimated that 5 million people will have diabetes by 2025. It is estimated that for a low-income family in a country like India or Africa with a diabetic adult, as much as 25% of family income may be devoted to diabetes care. This project builds upon our earlier funded IUK projects where promising pearl millet hybrids combining lower glycaemic index (GI) and higher yield and mineral contents (such as Iron and Zinc) have been identified. In this project we will test these hybrids across 10 locations in western and eastern Africa and identify if any of these can be directly recommended for cultivation for the benefits of type-2 diabtics in these region. Availablilty of such seeds will enable small holders to produce grains with added health benefits providing them opportunities to trade their produce at higher prices, and also valuable raw material for the consumers and industries to make specialised functional food for the benefit of type-2 diabetics.