Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), known as Ragi in India, holds the distinction of being the richest source of calcium among all cereals. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Sustainability (MDPI, 2021) by Anitha et al. confirmed that finger millet consistently contains 344–364 mg of calcium per 100 g across different varieties — approximately three times the calcium content of cow's milk and up to ten times that of wheat and rice.
Key calcium facts from international research:
Finger millet: 344–364 mg Ca/100 g — highest among all cereals globally.
Cow's milk: ~112 mg Ca/100 g — significantly lower than finger millet.
Wheat and rice: 20–35 mg Ca/100 g — far below finger millet.
Calcium retention: Human studies showed a significant retention of 23.4 ± 2.9% of calcium from finger millet-based diets, supporting bone accrual in children.
Bone protection: A clinical study showed a 28–47% reduction in the bone resorption marker Beta-CTX in peri- and post-menopausal women consuming finger millet.
Bioavailability improvement: Fermentation and germination can double calcium bioavailability from 28.6% to 61.4%.
Lactose-free advantage: Finger millet provides calcium without lactose, making it ideal for lactose-intolerant individuals and weaning infants.
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