Ragi is also known as finger-millet. It constitutes a little over 25 percent of the foodgrains grown in India. It is widely consumed practically without refining by the poorer section of the population.
Finger millet is a cereal grass has grown mostly for its grain.
Ragi is an extremely nutritious cereal and is very beneficial for maintaining good health. However, its high intake could increase the quality of oxalic acid in the body. Therefore, it is not advised to patients having kidney stones.
Finger Millet Plantations
- Finger millet is a robust, tufted, tillering annual grass, up to 170cm high.
- The inflorescence is a panicle with 4-19 finger-like spikes that resemble a fist when mature, hence the name finger millet.
- The spikes bear up to 70 alternate spikelets, carrying 4 to 7 small seeds.
- The seed pericarp is independent of the kernel and can be easily removed from the seed coat.
- Finger millet is a staple food in many African and South Asian countries. It is also considered a helpful famine crop as it is easily stored for lean years.
- The grain is readily digestible, highly nutritious, and versatile, and can be cooked like rice, ground to make porridge or flour, or used to make cakes. Sprouted grains are recommended for infants and elderly people.
- Finger millet is also used to make liquor and beer, which yields by-products used for livestock feeding. Finger millet grain is not widely used for livestock: it is primarily a food grain, but it is of lesser quality for livestock than maize, sorghum and pearl millet.
- In India, it is sometimes used for feeding infant's calves, growing
animals, as well as sick and convalescing animals.
Finger millet Malting
- Compared to other millets, ragi is most suitable, from the standpoint of product quality and enzyme release for malting.
- The malted ragi flour can be used along with germinated green gram flour to formulate a high-calorie-dense weaning food having excellent nutritional qualities. Ragi flour can be used with milk beverages.
- Parboiling of ragi helps in the quality of the ragi dumpling by eliminating its slimy texture.
- Flour from puffed ragi has good flavor and can be used in snacks and supplementary foods.
- In south India is used as gruel, dumpling, roti, dosa, or porridge.
Nutrient Values of Finger Millet
Nutritionally it is almost as good as or better than wheat or rice. The major proteins of ragi are prolamins and glutens and they appear to be adequate in all the essential amino acids. Ragi is rich in minerals especially calcium. It is also rich in fiber. It is also rich in phytate and tannin and hence interferes with mineral availability. It contains B-vitamins but is poor in B2.
Recent work carried out to CFTRI, Mysore has shown refining the grains can upgrade the quality and adds variety and taste.
100 grams of uncooked
Ragi provides:
Protein : 7.3 gms
Fat : 1.3 gms
Energy : 328 kcal
Calcium : 2.7 gms
Phosphorous : 283 gms
Iron : 3.9 mg
Vitamin B1 : 0.42 mg
Vitamin B2 : 0.19 mg
Niacin : 1.1 mg
Magnesium : 137 mg
Potassium : 408 mg
Health Benefits of Finger millet:
- Finger millet also is known to have several potential health benefits. Some of the health benefits are attributed to its polyphenol contents. The phenolic acid content of brown finger millet is 96% higher compared to the white variety.
- It contains more lysine, threonine, and valvine than other millets. In addition, black finger millet contains 8.71 mg/g dry weight fatty acid and 8.47 g/g dry weight protein.
- Finger millet is reported to have anti-ulcerative properties and finger millet diets lowered blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic rat models.
- Finger millet seed coat matter which is a rich source of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds were found to exhibit blood glucose and cholesterol-lowering, nephron-protective and anti-cataractogenic properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models.
- Supplements infants with the germinated finger millet-based food showed a general improvement in hemoglobin status.
- Lower serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels compared to diabetic controls
- Finger millet extracts were also reported to possess free radical scavenging, anti-protein glycation, anti-cataractogenic and antimicrobial properties in "in vitro". Inhibition of snake venom phospholipase by finger millet phenolics in "in vitro".
- High reducing power for seed coat polyphenol extract compared to the polyphenol extract from finger millet whole flour. Higher antioxidant activity for finger millet seed coat polyphenol extract (86%) compared to polyphenol extract from finger millet whole flour (27%)
- Offered protection against mucosal ulceration, epithelialization, increased synthesis of collagen, activation of fibroblasts, and mast cells.
Nutritional Facts of Finger Millet:
Finger millet is
highly nutritious and renders various health benefits.
Finger millet for
losing weight: Ragi contains an amino acid called tryptophan which lowers
appetite and helps in keeping weight in control. Ragi gets digested at a slower
rate thus keeps one away from the intake of excessive calories. Also, fibers
present in ragi give a feeling of fullness thus controls excessive food
consumption.
Finger millet for
bone health: Ragi is rich in calcium which helps in strengthening bones. It is an
excellent Source of natural calcium for growing children and aging people. Ragi
consumption helps in the development of bones in growing children and in the maintenance of bone health in adults.
Finger millet for
diabetes: Finger millet phytochemicals help in slowing the digestion process. This
helps in controlling blood sugar levels in the condition of diabetes. Finger millet
has a lower ability to increase sugar levels. This is due to the presence of factors in
ragi flour that lower the digestibility and absorption of starch.
Finger millet
Lowering Blood cholesterol: Contains amino acids lecithin and methionine which
helps in bringing down cholesterol level by eliminating excess fat from the liver.
Finger millet also contains threonine amino acid which hinders fat formation in
the liver, which brings cholesterol levels of the body down.
Finger millet for anemia: Ragi is a very good source of natural iron. Ragi consumption helps in the condition of anemia.
Finger millet for relaxation: Ragi consumption helps in relaxing the body naturally. It s beneficial in conditions of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Ragi is also useful for migraines.
Finger millet for protein/amino acids: Ragi is rich in amino acids which are vital in a normal functioning body and are essential for repairing body tissues. Finger millet contains tryptophan, threonine, valine, isoleucine, and methionine amino acids. Isoleucine helps in muscle repair, blood formation contributes to bone formation, and improves skin health. Valine is an essential amino acid that facilities metabolism, helps in muscle coordination, and repairs body tissues. It helps in balancing nitrogen in the body. Another essential amino acid, not found in most cereals, is methionine which is useful in various body processes, helps in eliminating fat from the body, and is the main provider of sulphur in the body. Sulphur is essential for the production of glutathione - the body's natural antioxidant.
Finger millet for other Health conditions: If consumed regularly, Ragi could help to keep malnutrition, degenerative diseases, and premature aging at bay. Green ragi is also recommended for conditions of blood pressure, liver disorders, asthma, and heart weakness. Green ragi is also recommended to lactating mothers in the condition of lack of milk production.
Ragi could be enjoyed in different forms and preparations. Ragi roti, ragi dosa, ragi porridge, ragi upma, ragi cakes, ragi biscuits are few popular dishes of ragi.
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