Finger millet flour comes from one of the ancient and famous grains called finger millet. Finger millet is one of the different variants of millet. People from many parts of the world are using it as a staple food.
This flour is popular for its fast-growing and easy accessibility.
It is okay if you are not familiar with finger millet. The reason is finger millet is very new in the modern diet.
Moreover, finger millet in a flour form is surprisingly very underrated. Even though it is full of nutrition and health benefits, consumers are not aware of it.
People are eating dishes made of finger millet flour nowadays. The nutrients value and health benefits are pretty high. Some side effects are also there. They should know more about it.
Today, we will give you information regarding finger millet flour. You get to know about all the nutrients facts and benefits. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Table of Contents
What is finger millet flour?
Let’s start with a brief explanation about finger millet flour.
Our previous comments told you that finger millet flour comes from finger millet. Finger millet is a grain. The scientific name is Eleusine coracana.
It is a nutrient-dense cereal grain popular in tropical areas, including Africa, Asia, and Sri Lanka.
Finger millet is quite popular in India, as well as other countries. They called it Ragi.
You can make flour from finger millet by either powdering it coarsely or crushing it to make fine grain flour, which is later getting utilized in a variety of ethnic dishes.
Also, it’s very simple to incorporate into your regular diet, like chapatis or oatmeal for breakfast. In comparison to wheat or barley, it has a high fiber content.
Furthermore, It tastes like mustard seeds and has a mellow flavor. Combining finger millet with other cereal flours like millet and whole wheat allows us to produce a variety of breakfast meals.
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Finger millet flour nutrition
We often overlook the nutritional value of finger millet flour despite the fact that it is high in essential nutrients. It’s high in dietary fibers, proteins, minerals, and carbs, among other things.
Finger millet flour is high in minerals like calcium and iron. In addition to that, vitamins such as thiamine and riboflavin are present to provide the required nutrients.
Here’s the actual count of finger millet’s nutrient breakdown. The nutrient composition of finger millet flour per 100g is down below:
| Nutrient (per 100g) | Nutritional Value |
| Finger millet flour calories | 455 Kcal |
| Total fat | 3.4 gram |
| Trans fat | 0 gram |
| Sodium | 4.8 milligram |
| Carbohydrate | 80 gram |
| Potassium | 267 milligram |
| Sugars | 0.6 gram |
| Dietary fiber | 2.7 gram |
| Finger millet protein | 13 gram |
| Vitamins thiamine | 5% |
| Riboflavin | 7.6% |
| Niacin | 3.7% |
| Vitamin C | 7% |
| Vitamin E | 4.6% |
| Calcium | 1.3% |
| Iron | 26% |
Finger millet flour health benefits
Finger millet flour contains crucial vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can help you stay healthy. It is high in potassium, which can aid your kidneys and heart stay healthy.
Moreover, potassium also promotes the transmission of impulses between your neurons, allowing your brain and muscles to live in collaboration.
Below are some of the benefits of eating finger millet flour that can improve your health and your diet.
Let’s take a peek.
1. Antioxidant levels are high
Antioxidants are abundant in finger millet flour, which assists in the prevention of oxidation and the treatment of illnesses.
In some situations, it can be helpful in reducing the risk of cancer development.
2. Diabetes-friendly
Finger millet flour has a minimal Glycemic index. These carbs are less simple and take longer to digest than the other sugars.
Having low-glycemic-index foods reduces blood sugar spikes after meals.
As a consequence, millet consumption in contrast with products with a high glycemic index, such as white wheat flour, can help diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
3. Gluten friendly
Finger millet is inherently gluten-free when compared to other grains. You can substitute it for regular flour in foods like rotis, dosas, and other recipes.
Gluten-intolerant people and celiac disease sufferers often use finger millet flour for cooking purposes.
It is significant to mention, therefore, that the best time to eat finger millet flour is in the morning as the process of digestion is more involved due to its high fiber content.
In addition, when taking finger millet flour late at night, it’s usually best to avoid it, particularly if you have gastrointestinal issues or gluten intolerance.
Also read: Is rice flour gluten free?
4. Heart-healthy ingredients
Magnesium is significant in finger millet flour. The recommended daily amount is 137 milligrams per 100 grams of finger millet flour.
Magnesium is important for neurological function and a healthy heartbeat. Besides, finger millet flour’s high fiber content tends to lower blood cholesterol while increasing the effectiveness of good cholesterol.
5. Aids in the treatment of anemia
Finger millet flour is a nutrient-dense food with high iron content. As a result, it’s a wonderful food element for people with low hemoglobin levels or anemia.
Thiamine encourages the formation of red blood cells, which aids in the treatment of anemia.
However, finger millet flour assists pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by protecting them against gestational diabetes, anemia, and increasing milk supply.
6. Increases bone density
Among the many advantages of consuming ragi malt on a regular basis is better and healthier bones.
Calcium and phosphorus are abundant in the finger millet flour, helping to establish strong teeth and bones.
7. Weight loss aid
Overweight and bad eating habits affect many people around the world. There are increasing numbers of people struggling with it.
People attempt various activities and nutritional habits to drop fat, including keto and periodic fasting. They do, however, occasionally face failure.
Finger millet flour is high in amino acids, which aid in the reduction of excess body fat in our bodies.
Hence, you will experience less hunger after eating finger millet flour because it is high in fiber.
8. Helps in blood pressure control
According to studies, finger millet flour possesses a sedative effect that reduces the blockage of arteries and veins due to its high fiber volume fraction.
As a response, it keeps blood sugar levels under control.
Additionally, finger millet flour contains polysaccharides, including glucan, arabinoxylans, and cellulose. They limit cholesterol biosynthesis by increasing the release of the components in the stomach.
9. Proteins and amino acids
An additional advantage of finger millet flour is it is high in protein and amino acids. The major protein content is Eleusinian, which has a tremendous functional significance.
The existence of this protein prevents famine and therefore makes it a vegetarian protein. Besides, finger millet is a unique form of additional proteins from plants since it contains numerous necessary amino acids.
10. Keep skin healthy
It is high in Vitamin B3 (Niacin), which encourages healthy skin, reduces wrinkles, and improves overall skin.
If you are considering making it part of your regular diet, you can get amazing rates and a range of products. Finger millet flour products are available online.
Side effects of finger millet flour
Here are some of the side effects of eating finger millet flour. You might like to know these before adding this to your diet.
1. Finger millet flour takes more time to digest. People who are already struggling with constipation should avoid it.
2. People with kidney problems should avoid consuming finger millet flour on a regular basis. Since it has high protein content.
3. Finger millet flour is not for those who have sensitive reactions towards food. They might face diarrhea and stomach gas.
4. Goitrogenic compounds are one of the most common finger millet adverse effects, and they can exacerbate thyroid complications in patients who also have them.
As a consequence, stay away from finger millet flour.
Conclusion
Finger millet flour is a versatile ingredient. People of all ages can consume it except for those who have issues with finger millet. Eating it can easily help you lose weight.
In this article, we have summarized all the nutrition and health benefits of finger millet flour. As well as possible side effects.
Lastly, your daily diet can now include finger millet flour.