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How Sorghum Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle
Nutrient Content
Vitamins
Excellent Source of:
- Thiamine – 30%
- Niacin – 28%
Good Source of:
- Riboflavin – 16%
Minerals
Excellent Source of:
- Phosphorus – 55%
- Iron – 47%
Good Source of:
- Potassium – 19%
Also a Source of:
- Calcium – 5%
Other
Excellent Source of:
- Fiber – 48%
- Protein – 43%
Also a Source of:
- Antioxidants – proanthocyanidins, phenols, phytosterols, apigenin
How Sorghum Prevents Chronic Disease
Its antioxidants and high fiber content make sorghum a beneficial component of any health diet, capable of defending against multiple forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
How Sorghum Helps Prevent Cancer
In one study, sorghum introduced into a diet yielded tumor and metastasis suppressive effects, meaning sorghum effectively minimized the growth of cancerous tissue and inhibited the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
- Metastasis, the migration of cancer around the body, contributes greatly to the lethality of cancers (3).
- Sorghum was specifically found effective against breast and colon cancer.
The polyphenol content of sorghum contributes greatly to its cancer-fighting properties. Polyphenols are free radical neutralizing antioxidants. They inhibit free radicals from introducing damage, including cancer, to the body.
How Sorghum Helps Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Sorghum supplies phytosterols, bioactive compounds found in many recommended grains that lower blood cholesterol levels (6).
- Measure of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDLc, in the blood is used as a marker of cardiovascular disease risk. Keeping LDLc measures down can help prevent a cardiovascular disease diagnosis and even stroke.
Intake of whole grains is generally associated with a lower risk of many chronic and cardiovascular related ailments, including heart disease (7).
Sorghum and Diabetes
Studies show that extracts derived from sorghum have a hypoglycemic effect, meaning sorghum can have an anti-diabetic effect.
- Regulating blood glucose levels via intake of sorghum can help avoid a diabetes diagnosis (8).
Whole grains also keep you fuller longer, reducing the need for higher caloric and less nutrient dense foods. Since over eating and high caloric eating underpin many cases of obesity and accompanying diabetes, eating fiber and nutrient rich food like sorghum can prove an excellent preventative measure (9).
Sorghum Promotes a Number of Health Benefits
How Sorghum Promotes Immune Health
Sorghum supplies 30% of your recommended daily intake of thiamine, vitamin B1. Thiamine is essential for cell metabolism and energy production. Maintaining sustainable levels is necessary for proper immune health (10).
Whole grains promote gut health. The gut microbiome influences far more than just digestion; it profoundly impacts all systems within the body, including immune response. Feeding the healthy bacteria in your gut with whole grains can improve your body’s daily functions and specific disease fighting mechanisms (11).