Zerodha co-founders Nithin and Nikhil Kamath’s mother, Revathi, goes viral for her ragi mudde. This yummy dish is made of a millet Indians have been eating for 4,000 years, has more calcium than milk

Revathi Kamath, mother to Zerodha co-founders Nikhil and Nothin Kamath, has often made news for her exemplary veena-playing skills as well as being an environment activist. Recently, she went viral as a Facebook user named Tanu Shree gushed about her hospitality and how she was treated to some lip-smacking ragi mudde. Tanu Shree wrote on Facebook: “Lunch with Revathi Kamath ma’am, mother of Nikhil and Nithin Kamath! Despite her immense success and stature, she is such a humble soul. She made delicious ragi mudde and lovingly fed me like a mother. Truly a heartwarming experience I will cherish forever!”

For those who are unaware, ragi mudde is a snack made of ragi, or finger millet. It is eaten in many states of Southern India.

While not native to India (ragi millet originated in Africa), it came to South India 4,000 years ago. Dorian Fuller's survey of "African crops in prehistoric South Asia" claims that finger millet arrived on the Indian subcontinent in the second millennium BCE. According to Dhatu Organics, the red soils and uncertain rains of the Deccan suited the crop, which tolerates drought and poor soils.


Sadhguru lists some of the benefits of this millet:

High In Calcium

Calcium is crucial for maintaining bone health and teeth. Ragi is an excellent source of calcium. 100 grams of ragi have 344 mg of calcium. 100 grams, which is higher than the calcium content of milk by weight (one cup of milk has 300 mg of calcium). Aside from calcium, it also contains iron and essential amino acids and is also high in fibre, which supports your digestive health and cleanses your gut.

Great For Controlling High Blood Sugar

Ragi is rich in polyphenols as compared to grains such as barley, rice, maize and wheat. These compounds are said to improve insulin sensitivity. So ragi can be great food for lowering blood glucose levels and oxidative stress.

Can Lower Risk Of Cancer

Ragi is rich in antioxidants such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins, which delay oxidative stress and cell damage, thereby lowering the risk of cancer.

Great For Heart Health

Owing to the high amount of fibre and antioxidants, ragi can reduce levels ofserum triglycerides and inhibit lipid oxidation and LDL cholesterol oxidation in your system. This improves heart health in the long run.