Eleusine Coracana, or simply put Ragi, is an annual crop found in the tropical regions of India, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. A staple diet in the Southern parts of India, ragi is densely packed with a host of nutrients and offers innumerable health benefits.
It has been a valuable health grain in ancient agriculture and yet, since ancient times, Ragi has often been sidelined because of the easy availability of other cereal crops like rice and wheat. Thanks to extensive research and the push to include millets in daily diets to fight malnutrition, Ragi has gained immense popularity in recent times.
Being high in protein, calcium, iron and amino acids, ragi is touted as a Superfood. Ragi benefits babies as well, which is why it is one of the most commonly used millets for making porridge for infants.
Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of Ragi - the superfood you can now easily buy from trusted sources like JIWA, where the promise of purity comes first.
Ayurveda also mentions the benefits of ragi for cholesterol management owing to its Ama (toxin) reducing properties. Ragi flakes for breakfast and Ragi flour chapatis both are great for weight management due to their high fibre content.
Owing to its high fibre content, Ragi or Nachni, prevents overeating and keeps you full for a longer time, and this aids in weight loss. Ragi porridge is considered as a great food option for infants and young kids to regulate their bowel movements. The insoluble fibre in Ragi helps ease the movement of foods in the stomach and adds bulk to the stool, facilitating better digestion and relieving constipation.
Calcium is the building block for strong bones and teeth, as well as the prevention of bone-weakening conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. When sprouted, the calcium content in ragi is increased by 20 percent. Sprouting also reduces anti-nutritional factors and helps in better absorption of calcium. This again makes Ragi a great option for baby food.
A lot of times, even consuming foods rich in iron does not help anaemic patients as the level of absorption is poor. Ragi, especially when sprouted, has high levels of vitamin C, which is known to improve iron absorption.
Ragi is also rich in magnesium which helps the pancreas produce enough insulin to control blood sugar, thus improving insulin sensitivity.
Ragi also contains a good amount of calcium and Vitamin E, which helps form new and healthy skin and aid in healing scars. Vitamin E helps in preventing skin damage, moisturising the skin and in creating a protective layer that allows your skin to be healthy and shiny. Apply a paste of Ragi flour mixed with milk on the face to get rid of wrinkles.
Ditch the sunscreen and switch to eating ragi daily as it helps guard the skin against harmful sun rays, preventing skin cancer. The presence of Vitamin C & E and selenium in ragi also helps lighten the skin complexion and hydrates the skin.
Ragi has phenolic acid and other antioxidants that prevent ageing, while Methionine helps develop healthy skin and hair in babies. No wonder ragi is steadily becoming a favourite when it comes to buying organic food products online.
Ragi benefits for hair start with it’s rich protein content that prevents hair loss. A better idea than hunting for protein-based shampoos is to consume foods that supply natural protein to your hair and nourish it. Consume ragi for hair growth and to strengthen your hair. It also benefits people suffering from hair loss. Plus, it promotes blood circulation in the scalp and stimulates healthy hair growth.
Ragi is also a natural relaxant and helps reduce hair fall due to stress.
Ragi benefits for hair also extend to treating scalp related conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, itchiness and eczema with its magnesium content and anti-inflammatory properties. It lowers the level of cortisol in the body, which helps control hair fall. Oxidation of tissues is known to cause greying of hair and the host of antioxidants present in finger millet help prevent this. They are also used for the treatment of premature balding.
The stomach and intestines are at peak levels of metabolism in the mornings. Consuming ragi-based foods for breakfast loads up the vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and proteins with sufficient calories, thereby kickstarting the digestive juice production. Ragi porridge, parathas, or upma are great options to begin your day right.
Another great recipe that highlights ragi food benefits is Ragi malt, also called ambli or ragi java - a traditional drink from the state of Karnataka. Prepared with ragi flour and buttermilk, this cooling beverage comes together in less than 15 minutes and can be made savoury or sweet. Ragi java benefits are heightened in summers as it provides protection from the scorching heat. Ragi flour is cooked in water and then mixed with other simple ingredients such as plain buttermilk, salt, roasted cumin powder, asafoetida, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and onions to make a healthy, great digestive concoction.
You can now buy ragi atta online with ease, and get started on these nutritious recipes and more.
Bottom Line - If you want great skin, luscious hair, strong bones, and a great healthy body - for yourself or for your little ones - Ragi is the food to swear by!
It has been a valuable health grain in ancient agriculture and yet, since ancient times, Ragi has often been sidelined because of the easy availability of other cereal crops like rice and wheat. Thanks to extensive research and the push to include millets in daily diets to fight malnutrition, Ragi has gained immense popularity in recent times.
Being high in protein, calcium, iron and amino acids, ragi is touted as a Superfood. Ragi benefits babies as well, which is why it is one of the most commonly used millets for making porridge for infants.
Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of Ragi - the superfood you can now easily buy from trusted sources like JIWA, where the promise of purity comes first.
Benefits of Ragi for Health
Ragi, also called finger millet, is an excellent source of proteins, minerals, vitamins and calcium.Ayurveda also mentions the benefits of ragi for cholesterol management owing to its Ama (toxin) reducing properties. Ragi flakes for breakfast and Ragi flour chapatis both are great for weight management due to their high fibre content.
1. PROTEIN AND FIBRE SOURCE
Vegetarians and their fight to include more protein in their diets is a constant tussle. Including Ragi in daily diet can help vegetarians resolve this as 100 grams of whole ragi flour provides over 7 gms of pure protein and 16 gms of fibre.Owing to its high fibre content, Ragi or Nachni, prevents overeating and keeps you full for a longer time, and this aids in weight loss. Ragi porridge is considered as a great food option for infants and young kids to regulate their bowel movements. The insoluble fibre in Ragi helps ease the movement of foods in the stomach and adds bulk to the stool, facilitating better digestion and relieving constipation.
2. CALCIUM RICH
When we talk calcium, milk or milk products are considered the only sources for its intake. However, that’s not completely true! Ragi flour is one of the greatest non-dairy calcium sources when compared to other grains.Calcium is the building block for strong bones and teeth, as well as the prevention of bone-weakening conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. When sprouted, the calcium content in ragi is increased by 20 percent. Sprouting also reduces anti-nutritional factors and helps in better absorption of calcium. This again makes Ragi a great option for baby food.
3. RED BLOOD CELLS PRODUCTION
Naturally rich in iron, ragi food benefits those with low levels of haemoglobin. Ragi is also rich in vitamin B1, which helps in the synthesis of red blood cells and generates adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which helps in energy build-up in the body.A lot of times, even consuming foods rich in iron does not help anaemic patients as the level of absorption is poor. Ragi, especially when sprouted, has high levels of vitamin C, which is known to improve iron absorption.
4. GREAT FOR DIABETES CONTROL
Ragi is rich in dietary fibre and thus lessens the cravings for food. In comparison to wheat and other flours, it creates a far lesser spike in blood sugar levels.Ragi is also rich in magnesium which helps the pancreas produce enough insulin to control blood sugar, thus improving insulin sensitivity.
5. GLUTEN-FREE
The many Ragi uses and benefits also extend to those suffering from celiac disease or gluten intolerance as well. Being naturally gluten-free, ragi is a great wheat substitute for chapatis, dosas, idlis and more. This gives a host of meal options to those on a gluten-free diet.6. ANTIOXIDANT STOREHOUSE
Ragi is rich in antioxidants which increase immunity and fight against infections. It also aids the body’s natural ability to relax as it is a rich source of amino acids, which helps combat headaches, insomnia and even depression.7. GREAT PICK FOR THE LITTLE ONES AND NEW MOMS:
The many benefits of ragi for health also make it a great choice for both infants and new moms. Both of them need tender care, and along with their digestion, Ragi also strengthens their bones and promotes overall growth of babies. From stimulating milk production in new moms to balancing hormonal processes in pregnant women, the uses of ragi are abundant due to its high iron and calcium content.8. YOUTHFUL & HEALTHY SKIN
The essential amino acids Methionine and Lysine and vitamins such as Vitamin B3 present in Ragi work miracles in keeping the skin youthful and healthy. The amino acids make skin tissues less susceptible to wrinkles and ageing and also help in the creation and maintenance of collagen in the body. This millet impedes cross-linking of collagen, which in turn helps the skin to possess its elasticity. So if you want to minimise the effects of ageing and have good skin for longer, adding this wonder food to your daily diet is advisable.Ragi also contains a good amount of calcium and Vitamin E, which helps form new and healthy skin and aid in healing scars. Vitamin E helps in preventing skin damage, moisturising the skin and in creating a protective layer that allows your skin to be healthy and shiny. Apply a paste of Ragi flour mixed with milk on the face to get rid of wrinkles.
Ditch the sunscreen and switch to eating ragi daily as it helps guard the skin against harmful sun rays, preventing skin cancer. The presence of Vitamin C & E and selenium in ragi also helps lighten the skin complexion and hydrates the skin.
Ragi has phenolic acid and other antioxidants that prevent ageing, while Methionine helps develop healthy skin and hair in babies. No wonder ragi is steadily becoming a favourite when it comes to buying organic food products online.
9. GREAT HAIR GOALS
Instead of experimenting with harsh shampoos and oils to get perfect hair, eating nutritionally-rich food can help improve your hair health. Here, ragi is an excellent food item to add to your diet.Ragi benefits for hair start with it’s rich protein content that prevents hair loss. A better idea than hunting for protein-based shampoos is to consume foods that supply natural protein to your hair and nourish it. Consume ragi for hair growth and to strengthen your hair. It also benefits people suffering from hair loss. Plus, it promotes blood circulation in the scalp and stimulates healthy hair growth.
Ragi is also a natural relaxant and helps reduce hair fall due to stress.
Ragi benefits for hair also extend to treating scalp related conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, itchiness and eczema with its magnesium content and anti-inflammatory properties. It lowers the level of cortisol in the body, which helps control hair fall. Oxidation of tissues is known to cause greying of hair and the host of antioxidants present in finger millet help prevent this. They are also used for the treatment of premature balding.
Uses of Ragi
The many benefits of ragi for health make it a desirable kitchen staple. A popular wheat replacement, it can be mixed with other grains like rice to prepare dosas, idlis etc. check some recipes from our cookbook here.The stomach and intestines are at peak levels of metabolism in the mornings. Consuming ragi-based foods for breakfast loads up the vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and proteins with sufficient calories, thereby kickstarting the digestive juice production. Ragi porridge, parathas, or upma are great options to begin your day right.
Another great recipe that highlights ragi food benefits is Ragi malt, also called ambli or ragi java - a traditional drink from the state of Karnataka. Prepared with ragi flour and buttermilk, this cooling beverage comes together in less than 15 minutes and can be made savoury or sweet. Ragi java benefits are heightened in summers as it provides protection from the scorching heat. Ragi flour is cooked in water and then mixed with other simple ingredients such as plain buttermilk, salt, roasted cumin powder, asafoetida, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and onions to make a healthy, great digestive concoction.
You can now buy ragi atta online with ease, and get started on these nutritious recipes and more.
Bottom Line - If you want great skin, luscious hair, strong bones, and a great healthy body - for yourself or for your little ones - Ragi is the food to swear by!
Ragi is very beneficial for or health and its indeed a superfood.
Nice awesome
Raagi Kali benefits our health.
Yes we use Ragi. Its beneficial
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