Sadhguru Highlights Ragi's Health Perks; Shares Wholesome Recipes

Sadhguru once mentioned that people should eat ragi daily. And in a recent interview with a lifestyle portal, Upasana Kamineni also mentioned that Sadhguru once told her to give ragi to her kid every day. In his blog post on the Isha Foundation website, too, he has mentioned ragi, or finger millet, as one of the most nutritious and healthy cereals. Calling it a super cereal, he states that finger millet originated in Africa and has been cultivated for many thousands of years in Uganda and Ethiopia. In India, the crop was probably introduced 4000 years ago and has been found in archeological excavations in the Harappan Civilization. He further explains the benefits of adding ragi to a daily diet and also shares simple and easy dishes one can try at home. Take a look.

Rich in Protein:

According to his post, ragi can be an especially good source of protein for vegetarians because of its methionine content, which constitutes about 5% of the protein.

Source of Minerals:

He also states in the blog that ragi is a very rich source of minerals. It has been found to have between 5-30 times the calcium content found in other cereals. It is also rich in phosphorus, potassium, and iron. The study, “The Lost Crops of Africa,” published by the United States National Academies, sees finger millet as a potential “super cereal” and points out that “the world's attitude towards finger millet must be reversed. Of all major cereals, this crop is one of the most nutritious.” The study notes that people in Uganda and southern Sudan have healthy, strapping physiques despite eating just one meal a day, and attributes this to finger millet.

Controls Diabetes:

According to his post, studies have shown that finger millet controls blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress. Finger millet has also shown promise in accelerating wound healing among diabetics.

Anti-Microbial Properties:

It is also mentioned in his post that 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.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Anti-Cancer Potential:

The post also states that finger millet is rich in antioxidants, which have sort of become a byword in health books today. Antioxidants prevent excessive oxidation (how surprising!), 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.

Healthy Ragi Recipes:

Ragi Malt: According to his post, traditionally, ragi is given to infants and young children as ragi malt because it is easier to digest.
Ragi Laddoo: This laddoo is made with ragi flour, ghee, palm sugar, coconut, sesame seeds, groundnuts, almonds, and cardamom powder.
Ragi Halwa: This halwa is made with ragi flour, jaggery, coconut oil, cashews, cardamoms, water, and ghee.
Ragi Pakoda: To make these pakodas, you need ragi flour, chickpea flour, cabbage, bell pepper, curry leaves, coriander leaves, ginger, cashews, groundnut oil, salt, and chaat masala.
Ragi Cookies: To make these wholesome, delicious cookies, you need nutritious ragi flour, whole wheat flour, soft unsalted butter, natural brown sugar, baking powder, aromatic cardamom, pure vanilla extract, and just a pinch of salt for a perfectly balanced, rich, and comforting flavor.

Disclaimer: The content in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new health or wellness routine.