Ragi: what it contains and why it matters
Ragi is finger millet, a staple grain in South India. This page lists its nutritional content from published sources and explains which lab parameters it relates to.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-04
Nutritional content of ragi
Per 100 g edible portion, from published composition data.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 321 kcal | ICMR-NIN |
| CarbohydrateAvailable carbohydrate | 66.82 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Protein | 7.16 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Total Dietary Fibre | 11.18 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Total Fat | 1.92 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Calcium | 364 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Iron | 4.62 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Magnesium | 137 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Phosphorus | 210 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Potassium | 408 mg | ICMR-NIN |
Which lab parameters does ragi relate to?
Calcium
Calcium is the main mineral in bones and teeth, and is also needed for muscles and nerves [WHO].
Understand your Calcium result →See all calcium-rich foods →
Iron
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body [WHO].
Understand your Haemoglobin result →See all iron-rich foods →
Magnesium
Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and helps build bone [WHO].
Understand your Magnesium result →See all magnesium-rich foods →
Vegetarian and dietary notes
Ragi is a whole plant-derived cereal grain suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets that naturally does not contain animal products or gluten.
Frequently asked questions
What is the calcium content of ragi?
Raw finger millet provides 364 mg of calcium per 100 g [ICMR-NIN]. Calcium is an essential mineral that provides structural rigidity to bone tissue and teeth, and functions as an intracellular messenger in nerve conduction and muscle contraction.
How much dietary fibre is present in ragi?
Ragi contains 11.18 g of total dietary fibre per 100 g [ICMR-NIN]. Dietary fibre consists of non-digestible plant carbohydrates that increase stool bulk and undergo fermentation by bacterial species in the large intestine.
What quantities of iron and magnesium does ragi supply?
A 100 g serving of raw ragi contains 4.62 mg of iron and 137 mg of magnesium [ICMR-NIN]. Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin required for systemic oxygen transport, while magnesium acts as a structural cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic systems, including ATP synthesis.
Does ragi contain gluten?
Ragi (Eleusine coracana) is a botanical grain of the millet group and naturally lacks the prolamin and glutenin protein matrix known as gluten, which is present in wheat, barley, and rye.
What is the macronutrient distribution of ragi?
Per 100 g, ragi supplies 321 kcal of energy, 66.82 g of available carbohydrates, 7.16 g of protein, 1.92 g of fat, and 11.18 g of dietary fibre [ICMR-NIN]. Dietary carbohydrates undergo hydrolysis to yield glucose for cellular respiration, whereas proteins provide amino acids used in tissue maintenance and protein synthesis.
Sources
- ICMR-NIN — Indian Food Composition Tables 2017, National Institute of Nutrition. https://www.nin.res.in/
- WHO — World Health Organization — nutrition fact sheets. https://www.who.int/