Ragi or Finger Millet, often dubbed as a poor man’s diet is all you need on a busy day to meet your fibre, calcium and all other nutrition needs.

Even after thorough processing, Ragi can retain all the 3 parts of kernel making it an absolutely delicious must-have cereal in your diet. 

This nutrient-dense, disease combating finger millet is rich in calcium, iron, amino acids and high on fibre. It is strongly recommended for those fighting anemia and also serves as a good galactagogue for the new mothers aiding in lactation, in revitalizing the skin even while maintaining blood glucose levels.

Nutritional Facts

Ragi, gluten-free grain comes with a rich array of nutrients which offers you with indispensable health benefits. Ragi is loaded with high biological value protein namely cysteine, methionine, tryptophan and other amino acids which aids in averting malnutrition. Finger millet is the richest source of calcium which fortify the bones and averts the risk of osteoporosis. Apart from these, it is also a good source of dietary fibre, potassium and iron which is valuable in improving health.

Here are the benefits of Finger millet /Ragi

1. Loaded With Calcium

Ragi is loaded with calcium. Each 100 grams of ragi provides you with 344mg of calcium the most essential mineral required for strengthening bones, teeth and preventing the risk of osteoporosis. It is also a preferred source of gluten-free cereals. Further on, it is also a staple weaning food for kids that helps in growth and development.

2. Good For Diabetics

Ragi is considered as a panacea cereal for diabetics, being abundant in polyphenols, amino acids, dietary fibre and low in glycemic index. This wonder cereal keeps you satiated, lessen the cravings and slows the gastric emptying time and prevent the blood sugar spike. It is always good to have ragi in the form of roti, adai or dosa, and not in the form of porridges as this can spike your blood glucose levels.

3. Promotes Skin Health

Ragi is an amazing cereal with a wallop of nutrients that include vital amino acids that are pivotal in maintaining skin health and radiance. The amino acids methionine and lysine in ragi keep the skin wrinkle-free, prevent it from sagging, and enhancing the overall skin health. 

4. Anemia

Ragi is a rich source of iron and is recommended for those suffering from anemia to boost the levels of haemoglobin. Ragi upon sprouting increases the vitamin C content aiding in the easy absorption of iron in the bloodstream. For the maximum utilization of iron from ragi, it is best to have in the form of dosa or roti with tangy chutney or a dash of lemon on it.

5. Keeps You Relaxed

The abundance of amino acids tryptophan in ragi is a potent antioxidant that is beneficial in handling depression, anxiety and insomnia. It is even proven by studies that ragi is a wonder cereal for people suffering from migraines as it works as a natural relaxant. Feeling anxious? Munch on some quick healthy ragi bytes (ragi cookies, and murukku) to stay calm and cool.