What is Sorghum?

Sorghum is a cereal grain plant with different species and varieties used as food, hay, broomcorn, and for some other purposes. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and has loads of health benefits. A fascinating fact about it is that you can incorporate it into your foods in many ways. Let`s discuss its health benefits.

14 Health Benefits of Sorghum

Supports Heart Health

Sorghum contains fiber that eliminates unhealthy cholesterol from the arteries. It also rejuvenates the arteries and generally keeps the heart healthy.

Treats Anemia

The magnesium, copper, and iron contents of sorghum enhance the production of red blood cells, hence proper blood circulation. This is essential for preventing and treating anemia.

Improves Digestive Health

The fiber content of sorghum improves bowel movement, adds bulk to stool, and improves digestive health in many other ways, preventing diarrhea, cramps, constipation, and other complications.

Improves Bone Health

Sorghum is rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium: three minerals that are required for bone health. Regular consumption of sorghum ensures bone and tissue regeneration.

Manages Diabetes

Sorghum regulates blood sugar levels; it also contains tannin which prevents the production of starch-absorbing enzymes, hence regulating insulin, and balancing sugar levels.

Enhances Weight Loss

Fiber-rich foods keep us full longer, hence reduce or stop unhealthy cravings. Sorghum is rich in fiber, so it falls in this category. Healthy eating is a way of ensuring a healthy weight. Incorporating sorghum into your diet will help you attain your weight loss goals. You may also regulate your insulin levels by consuming sorghum sweeteners instead of processed sweeteners which are less healthy.

Protects Skin Health

Sorghum contains tannin which prevents the production of melanoma cells that cause skin cancer. It also kills already existing ones. Making a paste of sorghum and applying it to your face helps clear out toxins from the skin and keeps the skin moisturized and healthy.

It`s Celiac-Friendly

People who have celiac disease tend to suffer various allergies, and a number of foods don`t go well with the condition. Fortunately, sorghum is celiac-friendly, so it is safe for people who suffer celiac disease and those who are prone to allergies.

Boost Immune Health

Sorghum contains enough vitamin C to boost immune health and prevent diseases from affecting the body. Vitamin C also increases white blood cell production, which is vital to immunity building.

Improves Eye Health

Consuming healthy amounts of vitamin A ensures eye health and wards off eye defects such as cataracts. Sorghum contains beta carotene which protects the eyes, wards off cataracts, and slows down the degeneration of macular area.

Improves Blood Circulation

Sorghum contains vitamins and minerals that help maintain healthy blood flow, hence easy transportation of nutrients to organs, and this ensures a healthy state of organs.

Improves Mood

Sorghum contains vitamin B6 which is responsible for the production of neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is responsible for regulating nerve impulses. Increased GABA production improves relaxation, ability to focus, mood, stress management, and depression control.

Combats Certain Cancers

Sorghum, the dark-colored variety especially, contains 3-deoxyanthoxyanins compounds that combat colon cancer cells. Regular consumption of sorghum also reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.

Boosts Energy

Sorghum contains vitamin B3 which boosts metabolism and enables cells to produce useable energy. Regular consumption of foods that contain sorghum boosts energy levels and improves concentration. Sorghum`s ability to maintain an optimum level of energy is a reason it is used in making energy drinks.

Culinary Uses of Sorghum

Sorghum is quite versatile. It is used for a number of culinary and non-culinary purposes. We`ll be discussing some of its culinary uses in this section. You can sorghum for various recipes in different forms such as pearled grain, syrup, flour, whole grain and many more. Let`s discuss four of these culinary uses of sorghum, so you too can enjoy its versatility.

Sorghum as a Sweetener

Have you ever heard of sorghum syrup? You can use it in dishes, barbecue sauces, salads, and tasty beverages. Using sweeteners made from sorghum is more healthy than using processed sweeteners.

Sorghum as a Textural Element

Sorghum can be great as a textural element in dishes. Popped sorghum is great as a crunchy topping on soups, dessert, salads, and granola, while whole grain sorghum gives some texture in dishes like stuffed sorghum peppers.

Sorghum as a Starch Substitute

You can eat sorghum like rice and quinoa. Whole grain sorghum is a perfect substitution for pasta noodles.

Sorghum Flour in Baking

You can mill whole grain sorghum into flour to make cookies, bread, cakes, and waffles. Sorghum is gluten-free, hence it is perfect for people with gluten sensitivities.

Some Sorghum Tips

How to Cook Sorghum

• Put some sorghum and water in a pot
• Cook till sorghum is tender. This may take about 45 minutes.
• Drain leftover water and serve.

How to Store Sorghum

• It is best to store sorghum in an airtight container, and in a cool place.
• Wholegrain sorghum lasts a year in a freezer, and six months in a pantry.

Sorghum Side Effects

As beneficial as sorghum is, it has some side effects. Knowing these effects is vital, so you can tell if sorghum is healthy for you, and also to know what to avoid as you consume it. Let`s see them.

Contains Hydrogen Cyanide

Immature sorghum plants contain hydrogen cyanide, a poisonous compound which causes respiratory failure and may eventually cause death. Amazingly, when in small quantities, hydrogen cyanide improves respiration and digestion. So in essence, only mature sorghum plants are safe for consumption.

Contains Antinutrients

The antinutrients in sorghum cause digestion issues for some persons; they hinder the body`s ability to absorb some minerals and vitamins.

22 Sorghum Facts

• ‘Sorghum’ comes from Latin, ‘Syricum’ meaning ‘grain of Syria’.
• Sorghum originated from the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.
• There was a written record of sorghum as far back as 8000 B.C. at Nabta Playa.
• Kansas produces the highest amount of sorghum in the United States.
• One-third of the grain sorghum in the United States is used for livestock feed.
• Grain Sorghum is also called milo.
• Sorghum grows to a height of 0.6 to 4 meters.
• The leaves of sorghum plant are about 5cm broad and 76cm long.
• Sorghum seeds have varieties of colors, sizes, and shapes.
• A head of sorghum has 750-1250 seeds.
• A bushel of sorghum can produce 2.7 gallons of ethanol.
• Sorghum is a high-quality aquatic feed.
• You can pop sorghum just like popcorn.
• In Africa, the red pigment of sorghum is used in making red leather.
• Sorghum`s low glycemic index makes it fit for pet food.
• The stem of sorghum is used in manufacturing baskets and brooms.
• Sorghum grows better in warmer temperature and tropical regions.
• Sorghum is a major crop in the United States, Argentina, India, China, Australia, Mexico, and Africa.
• Sorghum is not only versatile in culinary use; it is also versatile in other uses such as making building materials, ethanol, broom production, and loads other purposes.
• Sorghum flour is used in producing granolas, biscuits, chips, and crisps.
• Sweet sorghums, also called sorgos, are mainly grown in the United States, and southern parts of Africa.
• Sweet sorghum is used for manufacturing forage and syrup.

Now That You Know…

Sorghum is quite beneficial and amazingly versatile, with just a few side effects. Try incorporating it into your diets to attain higher health accomplishments. Your body will thank you for it.