15 Ragi Flour Benefits You Should Know About
- Published on:
- Last update: 31 December 2024
Ragi Flour Benefits: Ragi, also known as Finger Millet is often hailed as a superfood and indeed it is a true miracle of nature! What it can do for health and the varieties of cuisines that can be made out of it is really surprising. But, what is so special about ragi flour? Let’s go ahead to see the countless ragi flour benefits that will leave you in awe!
What Is Ragi and Ragi Flour?
Ragi or Finger Millet is actually an amazing grain that has been cultivated for many ages in distant mountains across Asia and Africa. Ragi is excellent because it is extremely full of nutrients, as it contains so many vital vitamins and minerals that even a single meal can offer you with various health benefits. In addition to providing nourishment, cultivation of Ragi promotes sustainable farming practices!
The incredible health gain comes with ragi flour. Ragi flour is versatile and can be used in different recipes to be consumed every day for gaining all its goodness.
This tiny little grain amazes everyone since it has so much packed inside, including good digestive health and strengthening bones, that it would be hard to see anything that ragi does not contribute nutritionally to life or the environment.
Nutritional Value Of Ragi Flour
| Nutritional Components | Nutritional Value per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 328.26 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 72.3 grams |
| Protein | 7.52 grams |
| Fat | 1.14 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 11 grams |
| Calcium | 364 mg |
| Potassium | 267 mg |
| Sodium | 4.8 mg |
| Iron | 3.9 mg |
15 Health Benefits of Ragi Flour
Packed with nutrients, ragi flour is a powerhouse of goodness that deserves a spotlight in our diets.Let’s delve into the 15 health benefits of ragi flour that will leave you amazed!
1. Rich in Protein
In comparison to all the different grains, ragi is very high in protein, wonderfully making it a great supplement also for vegetarians and vegans to add to their diet since they seem to have low levels of intake in protein. Improved muscle growth and repair will bless active people as well!
2. High in Fibre
High fibre content in ragi flour makes it one of the easiest to digest. It helps in keeping bowel movements regular and prevents constipation, hence it is helpful for maintaining gut health. Fibre also plays an important role in helping weight management by keeping full longer and reducing those annoying cravings.
3. Helps avoid Anaemia
Just think of the comfort of enriching your iron intake with the incorporation of ragi flour into your diet! This wonderful source of iron develops energy levels overall and fights anaemia as well.
4. Helps Regulate Diabetes
Because the glycemic index of ragi flour is quite low, it will not lead to a rapid increase of glucose in the blood, possibly preventing diabetes and causing energy levels to be maintained throughout the day.
5. Helps in Weight Management
Given the fiber content, ragi indeed serves as an excellent weight loss aide. You may as well obtain the effects of ragi flour in creating a filling sensation to keep hunger at bay as well as enabling a healthy digestive system by blending it into your diet. While ragi provides a feeling of fullness for long periods without guilt, it actually does restrict the intake of calories.
6. Supports Heart Health
Ragi is free from any heart diseases and prevents heart diseases. It is rich in both fibre (cardiovascular purifying soluble fibre) and phytochemicals. This amazing soluble fibre increases HDL (otherwise called as the good cholesterol) while decreases LDL (the bad cholesterol). This very good combination-neutralizes the chances of heart-related problems and uplifts the general condition of the heart.
7. Enhances Bone Health
This miracle grain is mysteriously rich in nourishment apart from strength; it is a fantastic source of calcium which is important for strong and healthy teeth and bones.
8. Boosts Immune System
Ragi flour, well-known for giving energy and power to your immune system, bears so much nourishment that it strengthens the body against several diseases. Antioxidants are present to help the body overcome oxidative stress, with the input of vitamins and minerals considered healthy.
9. Promotes Hair Growth
The increased iron content of Ragi transcends to hemoglobin formation in blood so that it reaches each and every body organ, including the scalp. Blood circulation improves, and the amounts of oxygen and other essential components in the hair follicles increase, resulting in healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss.
10. Helps Induce Relaxation
This is one of the very best properties because it contains many amino acids, particularly tryptophan. It’s a great additive to uplift your mood and relax to calm you down after a long, tiring day.
11. Aids in Detoxification
Being one of the best sources of antioxidants, Ragi helps in detoxification of the body. It helps remove accumulated toxins and free radicals from the system and, therefore, reduces oxidative stress in the body.
12. Enhances Skin Health
Imagine a natural defence against oxidative stress, which is exactly what ragi flour offers! Amino acids and antioxidants that are present in Ragi can have a great effect on skin. It helps lock the moisture and softness of the skin and increases its elasticity. This superfood can also help in reducing the visibility of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots when it is added to the diet. This is nature’s elixir for holding moisture and creating collagen.
13. May Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
Some studies suggest that a high fiber diet from ragi helps detoxify the body and protects against certain cancers. Its phytochemicals also help to avert cell damage, causing inflammation that may reduce the chance of cancer.
14. Good for New Mothers
Ragi is believed to be highly beneficial for new mothers as it serves as one of the highest sources of calcium, iron, and other essential nutrients that play an indispensable role in postnatal recovery. Ragi nourishes bodily depletions and is good for stimulating healthy milk production during breastfeeding.
15. For Babies Above 6 Months Old
Ragi is one of the healthiest foods for infants since it is abundant in vital minerals including calcium, iron, and fibre. Protein is also critical for babies’ proper health and development which is also abundantly present in Ragi. It helps in developing strong bones, prevents anaemia, promotes digestion, and meets the energy needs of children, generally enduring.
Ragi Flour Benefits for Female
Ragi flour is an incredible nutri-rich source with phenomenal benefits for health, particularly among women. To start with, it is rich in calcium, and calcium is required for strong bones, especially during the time of pregnancy or before menopause. Ragi wonderfully improves bone density in many women, a condition which they are often found to suffer from due to age.
Ragi Flour Benefits for Weight Loss
Ragi is a superb option for weight loss as it contains high levels of fibre. Why so? Since fibre-rich foods tend to make you last longer on full stomachs, cravings and snickers in between meals are thereby reduced. This high-fibre content also keeps blood sugar levels stable and supports digestibility as well.
Side Effects of Ragi Flour
Because of its high fibre content, over consumption of ragi may lead to digestive problems like gas or bloating in excess. People who have suffered from kidney stones should take care while including ragi in their diet due to the presence of oxalic acid in ragi, which can aggravate kidney stone problems.
Conclusion
Ragi flour is a powerhouse in nutrition and an excellent promoter of general health. It is nothing less than a superfood, packed with high fiber levels for digestive health, calcium, and iron needed for healthy bones. It energizes and helps control weight and varies from diet to diet.
Apart from being beneficial for health, ragi flour encourages sustainable farming practices. It uses less water compared to other crops and is ecologically viable. This means that when you opt for ragi flour, you not only get health benefits but also contribute positively to the environment..
FAQs on Ragi Flour Benefits
Can we eat Ragi daily?
Yes, Ragi can be consumed daily for its various health benefits. Not only is it an evident rich nutritious profile, but ragi is such a source that contains some potential health-promoting properties.
Is ragi flour better than atta?
Both atta (whole wheat flour) and ragi flour have their own health benefits among the two. While ata is a predominant source of vitamin B, ragi flour is gluten-free and very rich in fibers.
How much Ragi can one consume daily?
The recommendation is to take about 1 to 2 servings of ragi on an average day, which equates to about 50-100 grams of ragi flour. But of course, this may differ depending on your individual dietary requirements.