Sorghum bicolor /Sorghum is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the grass family (Poaceae). Some of these species are grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. One species, Sorghum bicolor, was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe. Seventeen of the 25 species are native to Australia,^[rx][rx] with the range of some extending to Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica, and certain islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.^[rx][rx] One species is grown for grain, while many others are used as fodder plants, either cultivated in warm climates worldwide or naturalized in pasture lands.^[rx] Sorghum is in the subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe Andropogoneae (the tribe of big bluestem and sugarcane).

Sorghum commonly known as broom corn, great millet, durra, Howard, and milo is a large grain plant native to Northern Africa which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions these days. It is a member of the grass family Poaceae or Gramineae. It is the fifth most important cereal crop after wheat, corn, rice and barley. It is also known from various vernacular names such as French: Dari, Sorgho Penché; Italian: Dura, Sorugami; Malaysia: Jagung Gerebang, Jagung; Russian: Belaia Durra, Sorgo Venichnoe, and Spanish: Daza, Zahina.

Sorghum Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolor

Plant

Sorghum is an erect, robust, herbaceous annual plant that is often 3-4 m in height. The Sorghum plant prefers tropical and subtropical climates. It can be grown successfully in a variety of soils ranging from sandy, loamy, and clay. A leaf that is broad and coarse is generally 5 cm in breadth and 0.75 m in length. The flower is hermaphrodite which flowers from August to October. The stem is rigid with grass blades flat, glabrous, and waxy. The plant has a fibrous root system. Branches are alternate, slender, drooping and inflorescence. It is an annual crop that has a lifespan of one year.

Grain

The grains are 3 to 4 mm in diameter, tight-headed with round and droopy panicles. The seeds are round or oval in shape. Sorghum is sweet in taste and has a bland flavor. It is harvested from September to October.

Health Benefits of Sorghum

Sorghum is an excellent source of riboflavin, Vitamin B6, thiamin, and minerals such as iron, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. The report shows that 192 gm is loaded with 632 Kcal which offers a calorie-rich diet with other minerals and vitamins. It possesses a huge amount of carbohydrates, with 40.78% protein, 18.97% fat, 2.50% calcium and iron, vitamin B1, and nicotinic acid in small amounts.

1. Assists indigestion

The dietary fiber assists in the proper functioning of the digestive system. However, Sorghum is rich in dietary fiber. A single serving of Sorghum provides the dietary fiber by 48% of the daily recommended value. This assists in preventing the health conditions such as bloating, cramping, stomach aches, constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas. The high amount of fiber helps to eliminate LDL cholesterol levels which upgrade heart health and also prevent heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes. (1)

2. Prevents cancer

Various important antioxidants are possessed in the bran layer of the Sorghum. These antioxidants reduce the risk of cancer such as esophageal cancer. Antioxidants eliminate the free radicals from the body which leads the healthy cells to mutate into cancer cells. (2)

3. Controls diabetes

The breakdown of excessive carbohydrates into simple sugars is the cause of diabetes. Sorghum possesses a high amount of tannin which prohibits starch absorption by the body that regulates the glucose and insulin level in the body. Sorghum helps to balance these levels which eliminate the plunges and spikes in the glucose levels and also prevents health complications and diabetic shock. (3)

4. Helps celiac disease

Celiac disease is an allergy to gluten found in wheat-based products. Normally wheat or gluten is found in various food items, it makes the situation worse. But Sorghum helps to relieve nausea, painful inflammation, and gastrointestinal damage caused by gluten. (4)

5. Maintain bone health

Sorghum possesses a high amount of Magnesium which helps to maintain calcium levels by increasing the absorption of calcium in the body. These two minerals are essential for bone tissue development and to speed up the healing process of aging or damaged bones. This helps to forbid the health conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis in old age.

6. Prevents anemia

Sorghum possesses iron, copper, and magnesium which help to increase iron absorption in the body. This reduces the chances of anemia that is led by iron deficiency. An adequate amount of iron and copper increases the development of red blood cells, enhances blood circulation, cellular growth increases the hair growth, and boosts the level of energy. (5)

7. Level of energy

Vitamin B6 is essential to transform food into usable fuel and energy in the body. This helps to stabilize the energy throughout the day. Sorghum provides 28% of Vitamin B6 of the daily recommended value. (6)

8. Assist thyroid health

Manganese is a vital component of thyroxine which is an essential hormone in the thyroid gland. Sorghum is rich in manganese which helps to function the thyroid glands properly which results in losing weight, appetite, efficient organ systems, and metabolism. (7)

9. Improves cognitive power

The function of the brain and neurotransmitters is based on phosphorus. Phosphorus helps to maintain the response of emotions, neurons, and hormones. The phosphorus deficiency is associated with the decrease in cognitive power and age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

10. Improves mood

The research shows that Vitamin B6 has a huge role in the production of serotonin and GABA neurotransmitters in the brain which controls mood. Vitamin B6 is essential for to hinder pain, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. This shows that Vitamin B6 helps to prevent mood disorders and raise the mood.

Vitamin B6 also assists in the production of hormones in the brain which treats the brain diseases and mood disorders. The research shows that the supplements of Vitamin B6 assist to uplift the mood, relieve pain with energy and concentration.

References