Millets have always been a staple grain in India, with a history that dates back to ancient times. The first record of Ragi or Finger Millet dates back to at least 1800 years ago, and the Sanskrit writers of the past have meticulously recorded the use of this superfood. Rajika, the ancient name of Ragi, is very relevant in the southern part of the country.
India has been through numerous reforms over the decades, the latest being the Green Revolution, which saw a rise in rice and wheat production. However, millets like Ragi have survived the dip in popularity thanks to their cultural importance in various parts of the country.
This article explains the benefits of Ragi in our diets and its role in aiding and managing weight loss.
Nutritional Profile Of Ragi
Ragi is a vibrant food and can be consumed in various forms. In recent years, India has taken to millet in ways that have influenced and inspired the world to produce and consume these superfoods. The Food And Agricultural Organisation, after the proposal from India, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millet, making grains like Ragi popular across the globe. It is also important to note that India, in 2020-2021, produced around 1998.36 thousand tonnes, which hints at the increasing popularity of this millet.
Ragi, or Finger Millet, is called a superfood because of its rich nutritional profile. Ragi is rich in proteins, which constitute 5-8%, and around 15-20% fibre, which makes this grain a miracle food for weight loss.
Apart from proteins and dietary fibre, Ragi is also rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Ragi is also rich in carbohydrates, which makes it a perfect breakfast grain!
Let us now understand the benefits of Ragiin aiding weight loss.
How Ragi Supports Weight Loss:
Ragi is a very rich food that is filled with vitamins, minerals and proteins all of which helps in aiding weight loss naturally.
- High Protein – Ragi, as mentioned earlier, is rich in proteins, which aids in weight loss; proteins help increase energy expenditure and decrease the loss of lean mass. The increased energy helps our body exercise more, leading to weight loss.
- Natural Weight Loss Agent – Ragi contains an amino acid called Tryptophan, which acts as a hunger suppressor and helps in weight loss as the consumption of carbohydrates decreases.
- Rich In Fibre – Research shows that Ragi or Finger Millet contains vast amounts of fibre. Fibre is filling and curbs hunger, which is important for weight loss. Fibre also aids in digestion, which is essential for natural weight loss.
- Presence Of Natural Polyphenols – Ragi is abundant inPolyphenols which is a compound that has shown potential anti-obesity elements. The low glycemic values of Ragi which regulate diabetes is also a polyphenol. Diabetes restricts the body from losing weight, but by including Ragi in our diet, our chances of developing diabetes are lowered significantly, making it a must-have food for weight loss.
The combination of all the above factors make Ragi a must have millet for weight loss.Sri Sri Tattva takes pride in its collection of millets and aspires to become a promoter of healthy diet and lifestyle. Visit srisritattva.com and get your fresh batch of millets delivered right to your doorstep!