Rajgira (also called Ramdana and Chaulai) is a superfood. Rajgira is a seed that is considered a pseudo-cereal in the US. But in India, it’s not considered a grain. That’s why we eat it during fasting.
Rajgira or Amaranth has been grown in India, South America and what is now Mexico for over 8000 years for its nutritional benefits. It was the main staple of The Aztecs (modern Mexico) till the arrival of Spanish invaders.
When the Spanish arrived with Cortez, they not only converted the natives into Christianity but also outlawed many native traditions and cultural practices. Rajgira was banned because The Aztecs built statues of their deity using Amaranth grains and honey. After the worship, they would break these statues and distribute for eating.
Even though the Spanish tried their best to destroy Amaranth by burning fields and punishing farmers, it survived in remote areas as a wild plant. It was rediscovered and introduced in the US in the 1970s as a wonder grain.
While it was almost dead in the west, Rajgira continued to thrive in India. It was named Rajgira (Royal grain) or Ramdana (God’s grain) because of its powerful health benefits.
The English name Amaranth comes from Latin amarantus. It’s an imaginary flower that never fades.
Health benefits of Rajgira/Ramdana/Amaranth
According to modern research, Rajgira is a powerhouse that can help prevent several chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer and stroke. It’s also helpful in treating inflammatory issues like arthritis.
Rajgira is one of the best sources of vegetable protein in the world. It has one of the highest levels of protein that is also easier for the human body to absorb.
Amaranth has lysine, an important amino acid. Lysine has high levels of protein, even higher than milk. Lysine is easier to digest than milk protein so your body is likely to get more protein from Rajgira than milk.
Calcium is another important nutrient in Rajgira. Calcium content in Rajgira is more than 4 times that of other grains. In fact, it has more calcium than milk. If you are lactose in tolerant (meaning you cannot digest milk), then Rajgira should be your go to food for Calcium.
Rajgira is also rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Amaranth grain contains 6 to 10% unsaturated oil that is good for your health.
Amaranth grain is also a good source of Vitamin C.
Our ancestors did not do the chemical analysis of Rajgira. They just followed the practices passed down over generations. But if we analyse their eating habits based on Rajgira’s nutritional value, their eating habits make a lot of sense.
And it would make a lot of sense for you to eat Rajgira because of these 12 health benefits:
