Sorghum – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an ancient cereal grain with roots in Africa, and the fifth most commonly grown grain crop in the world. There are 30 species of sorghum, but only Sorghum bicolor is cultivated for human consumption while the rest are used as animal fodder. Its ability to grow in hot, arid conditions has made sorghum a popular grain of choice in the drier regions of the United States.

List of known nutrients

The bran layer of whole grain sorghum is packed with antioxidants, even more so than blueberries and strawberries. These invaluable phytochemicals include but aren’t limited to:

• Anthocyanins
• Phenolic acids
• Phytosterols
• Policosanols
• Tannins

As a nutritional powerhouse, sorghum provides a diverse range of minerals and vitamins. These are:

• Calcium
• Copper
• Fiber
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B6
• Zinc

Medicinal uses for sorghum

Those with Celiac disease can eat sorghum without worry: All varieties of sorghum are gluten-free and therefore safe for those with gluten intolerance. Apart from being safe for individuals struggling with food allergies, sorghum is known to prevent or mitigate the risks of:

• Anemia
• Appetite loss
• Arthritis
• Atherosclerosis
• Autism
• Bloating
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Constipation
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• High cholesterol
• Melanoma
• Osteoporosis
• Stroke

Body systems supported by sorghum

Sorghum is regarded as one of the best sources for dietary fiber, with a 100 g serving providing 27 percent of the recommended daily value. A few servings of sorghum daily can ensure a healthy digestive system since fiber aids the digestive tract in moving food smoothly, narrowing the risks of constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive system ailments. More than just a well-cared-for digestive system, those who consume sorghum can expect it to support different systems and organs:

• Blood
• Bones
• Cardiovascular system
• Digestive system
• Heart
• Spleen-pancreas

Ways to use sorghum

Just like rice, sorghum is a highly versatile grain that can be added to a wide spectrum of dishes. From a summer salad of corn, tomatoes, and tarragon to buttermilk pancakes with whipped coconut cream, sorghum is suitable for all meals of the day. Sorghum can even be eaten as porridge or boiled directly into dishes.

One sorghum product that has been steadily growing in popularity is sorghum flour. This gluten-free flour has seen use as a wheat flour substitute in baked goods like muffins, cookies, and cake.

Commercially, sorghum has been turned into syrup, molasses, and even gluten-free alcoholic beverages.

Note: It’s best to soak sorghum grains for several hours to make them more digestible, so do this overnight before tackling any recipes that use sorghum.

Where to learn more

• 8 Ways to Build Gluten-Free Pantry
• 10 Secrets to Cut Down on Sugar
• Breeding technique allows farmers to conventionally breed plants based on genetic markers; GMOs are unnecessary, costly, dangerous and now obsolete
• Let Food Be Your Medicine? Part 2 Whole Grains Naturally Gluten Free
• Top 100 High ORAC Value Antioxidant Foods that every person need to know

Summary

The fiber in sorghum does more than maintaining the digestive system. It improves hearth health by lessening the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol.

Sorghum has blood-boosting minerals like iron and copper that support red blood cell development.

Magnesium, one of the major minerals present on sorghum, facilitates better calcium absorption and is therefore essential to excellent bone health. With adequate amounts of magnesium in the body, the likelihood of developing arthritis and osteoporosis decreases.

The antioxidants in sorghum neutralize eliminate cancerous free radicals from the body. A number of these helpful antioxidants aren’t found in many other types of food, making sorghum a unique antioxidant-dense grain.

Sorghum helps the body in properly metabolizing and absorbing carbohydrates and nutrients thanks to its fair amounts of vitamins B1 and B3.

Sources include

Care2.com
OrganicFacts.net
StyleCraze.com
NutritionValue.org
CookingLight.com
HuffingtonPost.com