Consumption of unhealthy food can contribute to disease, as previously mentioned. However, eating well is one of the best moves you can make in keeping healthy, and the food you eat greatly affects your health. Here NutritionVistas.com, reflects on the many health benefits of ragi or finger millet:

“Ragi also known as Finger Millet has been used for centuries by Africans and South Indians as a staple food. It is one of the crops that support the food supplies.

This annual crop can grow up to a height of 170 centimeters and takes up to 3-6 months to mature, depending upon the variety. The leaves of this plant look like grass and its forked head contains numerous tiny seeds that turn red on maturation.

As the seed head portion of the Ragi plant looks look like fingers of the hand. These plants got the name, Finger Millet.

History

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Ragi is believed to be originated in East Africa and spread to much of South India and Nepal. It has been used as a staple food for at least 2000 years.

Importance

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Ragi is renowned for its nutritional value. It has a good proportion of Amino acids, Vitamins, and Fiber.

Finger millets can be stored for several years. They are less prone to insect damage, which makes it the best food during famines.

Ragi is one among the best dryland crops that are drought tolerant and can be cultivated in areas with moderate rainfall.

Health benefits of Ragi

Contains Anti-Diabetic Properties

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As the incidence and prevalence of diabetes is increasing day by day globally. The demand for the food that helps to combat the effects of diabetes is also increasing. Ragi is one such food that can help you to fight against diabetes and its complications.

The presence of high fiber and carbohydrates which are slowly digested and assimilated when compared with other millets made ragi a recommended diet for diabetes mellitus.

Ragi diet can delay the absorption of glucose because of its phenolic compounds which will be beneficial for diabetic patients (1).

Anti-Microbial Properties

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Ragi possesses anti-microbial properties that can protect you against harmful pathogens.

Studies conducted on the extracts of the seed coat were proven to contain anti-microbial properties against bacteria like Bacillus cereus (known to cause foodborne illness) and several fungal species.

These anti-microbial properties exhibited by the finger millet is might be due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds (2).

Cooling effect on the body

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It is very important to have foods and drinks that can reduce the body heat and helps us to stay healthy and hydrated.

Besides its nutritional properties, Ragi is one such food that can be taken in various forms like porridge, meal and can help you to reduce the body heat.

Rich in Calcium and Iron

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Calcium is necessary for the firm and rigid bones. Normally we require 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium for a day in order to meet the body requirements.

If you don’t go with dairy, then you need to go with the alternative diet that can provide you the calcium required.

Ragi is one of the non-dairy sources that is loaded with calcium. It contains 350 mg of calcium per 100 grams making it one among the top calcium-rich foods.

Besides calcium, ragi is also rich in iron, an important component of hemoglobin and is required for oxygen transport in the body.

3.9 mg of iron is present in 100 grams of finger millet.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.nutritionvistas.com/health-benefits-of-ragi-or-finger-millet/

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