Ragi, scientifically called Eleusine coracana, is an annually cultivated cereal crop, vastly found in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, such as in Ethiopia, India, and Sri Lanka. Being densely packed with a host of nutrients, ragi confers valuable health benefits such as enhancing digestion, reducing the risk of heart disease, slowing down aging, and managing diabetes.

Ragi Health Benefits:

Ragi as the first meal of the day:

Ragi comprises a vast array of key nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, iron, calcium, antioxidants, proteins, fibers, sufficient calories, and useful unsaturated fats. Following a deep sleep at night, the stomach and intestines display peak levels of metabolism in the morning. Hence, having ragi-based foods like ragi upma or ragi parathas for breakfast activates the digestive juices and ensures complete assimilation of nutrients found in ragi, which are absorbed into the bloodstream and transferred to vital organs in the body, namely the heart, brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Finger Millet Flour Supplies Essential Amino Acids:

Ragi is composed of certain key amino acids, making it a unique plant-based source of high-quality proteins. It offers methionine, a sulfur-based amino acid to revive skin and hair health, valine, and isoleucine, which repair injured muscle tissues, and threonine, to enable the proper formation of teeth and enamel and protect the mouth from gum disease.

Kelvaragu Flour Supports A Gluten-Free Diet:

A significant number of young adults and older people tend to develop intolerance towards the gluten proteins in cereals like wheat, which, unfortunately, is a regular ingredient in Indian dishes. Ragi, being organically gluten-free, can easily be substituted for wheat, to prepare chapatis, dosas, and sweets or mithais, and is often recommended for patients with celiac disease. It is important to keep in mind though that the best time to consume ragi is in the morning, for being fiber-rich, its digestive process is more elaborate, and it is usually not okay to eat ragi at night, especially for those with digestive problems and gluten allergies.

Ragi Fortifies bone density:

Finger millet, being a fantastic source of natural calcium, strengthens bones in growing children. It also restores optimum bone density in older people, assisting in alleviating osteoporosis symptoms. While younger people can consume ragi daily, middle-aged and older adults need to eat measured servings of ragi to augment bone health while steering clear of gastrointestinal and kidney disorders.

Finger millet keeps blood sugar levels in check:

Finger millet, although high in calories and carbohydrates for instant energy, also comprises a plethora of phytates, tannins, and polyphenols – plant chemicals that slow down the digestion process. This lowers high blood sugar in those with diabetes mellitus, making ragi a valuable addition to a diet for diabetes. Also, owing to its low digestibility and rich fiber content, ragi is the top food of choice for adults, for accelerating weight loss and managing other lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Treats Anemia:

Iron deficiency anemia affects countless Indian men, women, and children every year, leading to excessive fatigue and low productivity levels. Ragi is a powerhouse of iron, serving as a boon for people who experience low hemoglobin levels in the blood, thus effectively treating anemia.

Boosts Nervous System Function:

Eating ragi in controlled portions daily assists in enhancing nerve impulse conduction, activating memory centers in the brain, and relaxing the mind, due to elevated levels of the amino acid tryptophan. As the tryptophan brings about an equilibrium in the levels of serotonin – a neurotransmitter, ragi helps in treating anxiety and insomnia, by maintaining good moods and promoting sound sleep.

Augments Heart Health:

Ragi is completely devoid of cholesterol and sodium, so recipes made with ragi flour can safely be consumed by those with heart ailments. Furthermore, the abundance of dietary fibers and vitamin B3 or niacin helps to enhance good HDL levels and diminish bad LDL levels. This averts plaque and fatty deposits in heart vessels, easing cardiac muscle function and improving heart health.

Ragi for Pregnancy and Lactation:

Sprouting some ragi grains overnight and consuming them the next morning has massive benefits for the health of pregnant and lactating women. Due to the immense iron and calcium content in ragi, it is ideal to stimulate milk production and balance hormonal activities in expecting women and young mothers.

In India, Ragi flour, also known as finger millet flour, is referred to by different names depending on the region. Here are some of the regional names:

Hindi: Ragi Atta

Tamil: Ragi Maavu

Telugu: Ragi Pindi

Kannada: Ragi Hittu

Malayalam: Ragi Podi

Marathi: Nachni Peeth

Gujarati: Nachni No Mavu

Bengali: Ragi Chal

For Detailed Benefits, please read: Benefits of Ragi  - Finger Millet  - Raagi - Mandwa - Madua - Eleusine coracana

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