Food one of the important requirements for living beings to keep themselves alive, fit and healthy. It is also the major source of energy for all living beings as well. People work day and night in order to earn food for himself and their belongings. Food can be categorized into grain, pulses, wheat, rice, minerals and many more and each of them fulfill all the requirements of the body in their own way. One can take these grains, pulses in the form of the prescribed food in which they are found. Say for example, grain one cannot take grain directly, he/she can take it in the form of Ragi or finger millet.
About Finger Millet
It is also known as Ragi. A whole grain rich in iron, calcium, proteins and other minerals. It also has fats, mostly unsaturated fats. It can also be ground and used in the form of flour. It is also one of the nutritious food and also easy to digest.
Habitat and Cultivation
It is an annual plant cultivated abundantly in Asia and Africa. It requires high altitudes and harsh weather conditions to grow. In India, Karnataka is the largest producer of Ragi. Karnataka grows 58% percent of Ragi every year.
Nutritional Benefits of Finger Millet
Finger Millet or Ragi because of the availability of a number of nutrients, minerals and much more offers lots and lots of Nutritional benefits. Some of them are listed below:
It is helpful for losing weight: The presence of amino acid called Tryptophan, play a major role in lowering appetite thus controlling weight.
Good for bone health: Finger Millet is rich in calcium, hence play a major role in strengthening bones. It is also known as one of the excellent source of calcium for children and ageing peoples. It also reduces the risk of fracture and diseases of osteoporosis.
It is useful for controlling diabetes:As it slows down the digestion process which helps in controlling the blood sugar level at the time of diabetes.
Useful in lowering the blood cholesterol: With the availability of amino acids Lecithin and Methionine playing a major role in reducing the level of cholesterol. It can be done by removing the excess fat from the liver. Apart from these Threonine, yet another amino acid very useful for removing fat.
Useful in controlling Anameia: As Finger Millet is a rich source of Iron, very useful at the time of Anameia
Useful for Relaxation: It is beneficial in anxiety, depression, insomnia and migraines.
Useful in Digestion: Availability of fibers helps in the movement of food through the intestine, thus easing the process of waste removal.
Promotes Lactation: It has a great source of nutrition which is very useful for new mothers and also increases the level of hemoglobin.It helps to improve the level of milk production in new mothers if taken daily.
Miscellanous Benefits:
It plays a major part in normal functioning of the body and also for repairing tissues.
Also help in balancing nitrogen in the body.
It is also recommended at the time of blood pressure, asthma and heart weakness.
Apart from Nutritional benefits it is also used in preparation of a number of dishes which are very helpful for health. Some of them are
Finger Millet or Ragi Malt
Finger Millet or Ragi Soup
Finger Millet or Ragi Upma
Finger Millet or Ragi Idli
This blog contains information about Finger Millet or Ragi and its nutritional benefits.