Our very own age old Ragi (Finger Millet) is becoming popular again.
History repeats itself. It is chotta damdar powerhouse is full of innumerable health benefits.
Eleusine coracana, orΒ finger millet, is an annual herbaceousΒ plantΒ widely grown as a cerealΒ cropΒ in the arid and semiarid areas in Africa and Asia.
The generic name Eleusine is derived from the Greek goddess of cereals, βEleusineβ while the common name finger millet indicates βfinger-likeβ branching.
In India finger millet is commonly called by various names like Ragi (in Kannada, Telugu and Hindi), also Mandau/Mangal in Hindi, Kodra (Himachal Pradesh), Mandia (Oriya), Taidalu (in Telangana region), Kezhvaragu in Tamil.
But my question is why this magical seed was lost? Everything comes with a price tag. Isnβt it? Green evolution acted as a pivot in the revolution of growth and development of entire world.
Aftermath of this green revolution is that most of the world population has started depending upon cereals as their staple food. Wheat, rice and corn have been the preferred cereals, whereas millet have largely been neglected.
Global climate change together with the rapid increase in population has put considerable pressure on agriculture sector. The demand of producing more food from less land.
The anticipated increase in temperature has mostly affected the hot tropics, developing populated countries. And they are likely to suffer maximum loss in food production.
Even in temperate regions, several strategies need to be devised for the adaptation of agricultural crops against erratic climate conditions such as changing temperature, erratic rainfall, and onset of severe floods and droughts.
A key issue is whether we will be able to feed the projected global population of 9 billion in 2050 equitably, healthily and sustainably.
One of the solutions to food insecurity and hidden hunger under stressful Environments would be including of millet in the Diet.
Millet is also called” Famine cropβ. As the names signifies.
- It survives on soils of low fertility.
- It helps small-scale farmers
- It can be used in inter cropping systems (with maize, sorghum and/or legumes) to generate extra income.
- It produces reasonable yields under low input crop production systems.
- It can be stored for up to two years without harmful pesticides, acting as a food reserve during the lean season.
Its excellent malting qualities, increasing its use in food processing.
Nutritive value of finger millet
Finger millet contains about
5β8%Β protein
1β2% ether extractives,
65β75%Β carbohydrates,
15β20%Β dietary fiberΒ
5β3.5%Β mineralsΒ .
It has the highestΒ calciumΒ content among all cereals (344 mg/100 g).
Benefits of Ragi
1. Rich in calcium:
It is the only non daily source of calcium.100 gms of Ragi contains 344 mg of calcium. Calcium is required for healthyΒ bones and teeth and in the prevention of osteoporosis – a disease which weakens the bones.
2 Excellent food for kids
It is extremely beneficial for growing kids and can be given in the form of Ragi Porridge, Energy drink. Now even snacks like
biscuits, cookies are also made from them.
3. Helps in Controlling Diabetes:
Β It is low in Glycemic index so it is good for people suffering from diabetes. Its outer coat is abundant in polyphenols and dietary fibres. It helps in controlling sugar.
4. Helps in Battling Anemia:
Β It is rich in iron and thus a boon for anaemic patients and also for those with low haemoglobin levels. Once Ragi is allowed to sprout, so theΒ Vitamin CΒ levels tend to increase and lead to easy absorption of iron into the bloodstream.
5. Helps in weight loss:
The high amount ofΒ dietary fibreΒ combine keeps the stomach full for a longer and prevents unwanted cravings.
6. Boon for fitness& sports enthusiasts:
Ragi malt or Ragidrink or Ragi balls
are wonderful nutritional supplements. It can be included pre workout meal. It is energy boaster before and in-between a sport event.
7. Helps in Mental Health:
ItΒ Relaxes the Body.Β Regular consumption of Ragi is highly beneficial in dealing with conditions of anxiety,Β depressionΒ and insomnia. The presence of antioxidants, mainly Tryptophan and amino acids, helps as they work as natural relaxants
Old is Gold. Finger millet is proving this proverb right. Along with nutritional value finger millet has ability to tolerate stresses and resist pathogens.
We are what we eat. So this magical millet makes us resistant from the invasion of infections and hence helping us to build a healthy individual and nation.
97 thoughts on “Ragi – 1 Small Seed with Gigantic Benefits”
It tastes good specially as Ladoos,pancakes,or kheer…I love it..
Good to know you are already reaping benefits of Ragi.
Very useful information… definitely quite helpful.
Thanks for such an informative and authentic article.
Thankyou!Reap its Benefits.
Excellent information ππ
Reap the benefits of Ragi.
Great information. Being a north indian,we rarely come across this grain. But now will definitely look for it and incorporate it into my diet.
It is widely available in Uttarakhand.Madua rotis are quite popular in that region.Its available online.Do reap the benefits.
Great information. I use Ragi a lot as best gluten free option
Being a gluten-free grain its v useful for gluten intolerant people.
Excellent information ππThanks for sharing the knowledge
Mother Earth is a treasure house of Nutrition.
Very useful information
Thank you! Mother Earth is full of treasure.
Very knowledgeable ππ»
Ragi is storehouse of nutrition.
Excellent write up….will surely introduce this in my diet!!
SURELY include Ragi for the entire family.
En-lighting!
Try including Ragi your Diet!
Informative and motivating…will enable people to include the same in their diets for a better and healthy life.
Reap the benefits of this gigantic powerhouse of nutrition.
Never knew this grain as a powerhouse of nutrients and so many benefits .πwill try to include in diet ..
Try including this powerhouse of energy in your Diet.
Useful information π
Include ragi in your diet.
Really very informative ππ
Ragi is very beneficial for kids. .start including that in there diet
Very informative and interesting. Will surely try it out.
Reap the benefits of this powerhouse of nutrition.
It is a very well written and informative article. Didn’t know about the benefits of Ragi. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Reap the benefits of finger millet.
Will try to include in my diet and suggest my son whose an health enthusiasts to start it as a pre workout meal .
Thanks for the information
Ragi is a powerhouse of nutrition. It is a wonderful pre workout drink for the fitness enthusiast.
This is so informative!
Got to know a lot… Will surely try and incorporate it in my life..
Ragi is Magical.
As I have been advised gluten-free diet so already enjoying this Miller, love the article
It is an excellent source of nutrition for gluten intolerant people.
Awesome! πππ
Mother Earth is Full of treasure.
Thanks smita
V informative ππ»
Very informative
Finger Millets are Magical.
I hv been using jwar & bajra frm last 2-3 yrs. Now ragi will definitely be on my list. Nice information Smita π
Good to know ! Include ragi too in your Diet.
Very informative article. I don’t think I have tasted ragi. In Bengal, is it easily available? Is it called ragi here too? After knowing its benefits from this article, I think I should try out.
In Bengal, it is readily available.Surely include in your diet.
WOW Smita ! Great information on Ragi. It’s going to be the permanent member of my kitchen now. Keep enlightening us with the forgotton nutritious foods.
Very well said with detailed information on the benefits of including ragi in our diet … Looking forward to many more such positive & informative posts from the renowned expert of the field … Thank you ..
Thank you! Mother Earth is a treasure house of nutrition
Very helpful information. Thank you.
Finger millet is Magical! Include them in Your Diet.
Very informative article ..Will surely add ragi in my diet as it has so many health benefits.
Ragi is full of Nutritive value. Surely include in your diet.
Excellent note.
Nutritious and having health benefits
Ragi is magical.
Great advice Smita.
Itβs a wonder grain with full pack benefits of calcium and vitamin D and above all very good carbs..correct me if I am wrong.
Thank you! Correct its a gluten-free Cereal packed with vitamins and minerals. Mother Earth full of treasure.
Very informative article.Thanks for sharing Smita.
Thinking of using it after learning about it’s benefits. Really an informative post.
Thank you! Millets are magical.
Great advice Smita.
Itβs a wonder grain with full pack Benefits of calcium and vitamin D and above all very good carbs..correct me if I am wrong.
It’s an eye opener…will try include it in our diet in some form regularly from now..wasn’t much aware of it’s benifits but after reading this article it surely seems to be a magic seed and easily available.
I am sure all in my family will develop its taste…
Thank u for sharing Smitaπ
Thank you!MIllets are age-old Treasure. Do reap its benefits.
Informative piece about Ragi. Thanks.
Thank you! Include them in your Diet! Ragi is Magical.
Indian food is very healthy.
Thankyou! Mother Earth full of treasures.
Very motivating. We have already included all millets in our dietππ
Thank you! Glad to know that.
Vry informative material Ragi…plz enlighten us with ur knowledge
Thank you! Mother Earth full of treasure.
very informative article today’s time its very useful…
Thank you! Millets are magical.
I include a roasted mix of 5 grains definitely in my breakfast. Thank you.
That is wonderful . You are reaping benefits of treasures
Very informative.
Thank you! Millets are magical.
Thanks for the wonderful information about this Magical Millet π
Thank you!millets are magicals.
Thanks for mining such information from your knowledge warehouse and introducing us to this powerhouse.π
Thank you! Mother Earth full of treasures.we should reap the benefits.
Ragi is an all rounder..will surely include it in my diet. Informative piece:)
Thank you!RAgi is magical.Do include in your diet.
Thank you for sharing such valuable information….Was really ignorant about the nutritive values of Ragi…Keep on posting more
Thank you! Mother earth is full of treasures.
Awesome, it’s very informative topic
Thank you! Include Ragi in your diet.
Amazing facts!
I think Ragi was always more popular in Southern India. I am consuming it in the form of chapati. Understanding the information here, gives me more joy!!
Thank you! Yes it is more popular in the southern part of our motherland.Full of more treasures.
Very informative…..since last few days I m also taking it occasionally π
Thankyou!Millets are magical.
Hey Smita good to know the benefits of Ragi, this seed is widely available in Singapore but we were not aware of the facts about it. Will definitely check out some recipes and will incorporate it into our diet. We struggle so much for some healthy options especially during fasting.
Suggest something healthy we can take during Navratri Fasting for 9 days
Best wishes for you
Thankyou!Ragi is very nutritious.will surely put abour branyard millets(vrat waley chawal)before navratri.
Informative article..i make ragi dosa for breakfast…very nutritious
Thank you! That’s wonderful.