It is known as a wonder grain for weight loss. It is rich in calcium and has a high fiber content. It is the best aid for people suffering from diabetes. It is also a common baby food in south India. Babies that are 28 days old are fed ragi porridge and this helps in easy digestion. This will help strengthen the baby’s bones by providing high calcium and iron to the body.

Read on to find out more about ragi and how you can conveniently include it in your everyday diet.

Benefited in Calcium Deficiency:  

Ragi grains contain important minerals such as phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). The grains have the highest amount of Ca, compared to other millet species. Regular dietary inclusion of Ragi can help to abate the deficiency of calcium in the body of both young and older people.

Phosphorus, another mineral present in Ragi, helps in the development of body tissues and energy metabolism.

High Protein:

Eleusinian is the major protein content that is found in ragi and has a lot of biological value. This protein helps prevent malnutrition and is a healthy source of protein for vegetarians. Methionine content constitutes 5 per cent of the total protein found in ragi. Ragi has a lot of carbohydrates and is placed at the peak of food grains by most dietitians. Ragi cannot be polished like other grains because it is too tiny and this makes it possible for us to consume it in its purest form.

Supply 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 Sulphur-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.

Control Diabetes

The grain's seed coat is abundant in polyphenols and dietary fibers as compared to rice, maize or wheat. The low glycemic index lessens food cravings and maintains the digestive pace, consequently, keeping blood sugar within the safe range. It is best to add it to your morning meal or have it for lunch to keep your system on track the whole day,

Ragi has Anti-microbial Properties

Finger millet has been found to act against several bacteria including Bacillus cereus, which causes food poisoning, Salmonella sp., which causes a typhoid-like fever, and Staphylococcus aureus, one of the primary causes of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses, furuncles, and cellulitis.

Has Anti-cancer Potential

Finger millet is also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent excessive oxidation, which could otherwise cause cancer and ageing because of cell damage. The phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins present in finger millet seed coats have very effective antioxidant properties. In general, it has been shown that people on millet-based diets have lower incidences of esophageal cancer than those on wheat or maize-diets.

Natural antidepressant

Consuming ragi on daily basis helps in dealing with conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Also, the amino acids present in ragi work as a natural relaxant. Ragi could also be very beneficial for people with regular migraine attacks.

Anti-ageing Effects

Since Ragi has antioxidants present in the seeds, it helps in the elimination of free radicals from the body and thus has an anti-ageing effect.

Benefits in Wound Healing

Ragi was fed for four weeks to diabetic animals, the glucose levels in them were controlled, and the antioxidant levels were improved, which accelerated the healing of skin wounds.

Beneficial in the Treatment of Migraine

Ragi consumption helps in relaxing the body naturally.It is advantageous in conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression.It is also useful for reducing the frequency of migraines

Prevents Cardiovascular Disease

Ragi reduces concentrations of serum triglycerides and inhibits lipid oxidation and LDL cholesterol oxidation. LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is what is termed "bad" cholesterol and is especially troublesome when oxidized. Oxidized LDL inflames the arteries, leading to arteriosclerosis and the risk of heart attack or strokes.

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.

Increases Production of Mothers Milk

Lactating women must consume greener ragi as it increases hemoglobin levels thus increasing the production of mother’s milk among women. This also called increased levels of lactation. A lactating mother must add green ragi to her daily diet and it will increase amino acids and breast milk, calcium and iron which is very important for the mother and the child.

Ragi Keeps you Relaxed

One amazing benefit of eating ragi is that it acts as a natural relaxant for your body. Consuming ragi helps you deal with anxiety, insomnia and depression. It stabilizes all these anxiety disorders and keeps you relaxed the whole day. It does cool your thinking and keeps you calm. Literally, ragi acts as a coolant for your body on a hot summer day.

Prevents Colon Cancer

Ragi is known to help prevent cancer because it contains fiber and phytonutrients that prevent the risk of colon cancer. Lignan, a type of nutrient found in ragi is converted into mammalian lignan by your intestine and this protects women from the risk of having breast cancer. Consuming ragi daily can reduce our risks of developing cancer.