Sorghum bicolor, commonly called sorghum () and also known as great millet, durra, jowari / jowar, or milo, is a grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food for humans, animal feed, and ethanol production. Sorghum originated in Africa, and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum is the world's fifth-most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize, and barley. S. bicolor is typically an annual, but some cultivars are perennial. It grows in clumps ...

sorghum bicolor

What-is-sorghum-(Sorghum-bicolor)

What is sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

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Sorghum bicolor is a less well-known grain on the global food market. It ranks in the distant fifth place among most famous cereals - after barley, rice, wheat and corn. Although less popular, sorghum is an important culture that has long played a vital role in certain diets.

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Other names for sorghum include large millet, Indian millet and jowar. This is a grass plant believed to originate in Africa, where it remains a major crop. It is grown and sold for a number of purposes except for human consumption. Sorghum is a popular food for animals as well as emerging biofuel.

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Today, more than 500 million people in more than 30 different countries rely on sorghum as a key part of their diet. Many people also look at sorghum because of its unique characteristics. In particular, those with celiac disease are attracted to sorghum as it is a gluten-free culture.

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In addition, small grains of sorghum are rich in fiber, great food for diabetics, a source of protein, abound in essential minerals and antioxidants.

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Nutritional-profile-of-sorghum---what-it-contains

Nutritional profile of sorghum - what it contains 

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Sorghum can be cooked and eaten in many ways, but it is also often processed into ingredients for other dishes. A quarter cup of whole grain sorghum contains approximately the following nutritional values:

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<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Calories: 163 kcal</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Protein: 5 grams</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fat: 2 grams</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Carbohydrates: 36 grams</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fiber: 3 grams</li></ul>One of the most important trace elements in sorghum is iron. A quarter cup of sorghum contains approximately 12% of the recommended daily dose, so vegetarians and vegans can emphasize the consumption of this crop. Other trace elements found in sorghum include:

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<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Potassium</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Niacin</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Thiamin</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Vitamin B6</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Phosphorus</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Manganese</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Magnesium</li></ul>

Different-types-of-sorghum---what-are-they-used-for

Different types of sorghum - what are they used for

Different-types-of-sorghum---what-are-they-used-for_2_0

Several types of sorghum can be used in different recipes:

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<ol><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Wholegrain sorghum includes the whole grain, with the three parts - bran, endosperm and germ - intact. You can boil or smother the whole grain and add it to salads, toppings and pilaf.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The sorghum with pearl grains is devoid of the saws and part of its germ. It is softer than the wholegrain variety and suits soups.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sorghum syrup is obtained from the stems of the sweet sorghum. This is a natural sweetener for baked products and other desserts.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Popcorn sorghum is smaller, sweeter and richer in nutrients than popcorn. It also has fewer calories and less fat.&nbsp;</li></ol>

Potential-health-benefits-of-sorghum

Potential health benefits of sorghum

Potential-health-benefits-of-sorghum_3_0

Sorghum has a unique structure and is rich in various nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and is gluten-free. Thanks to this, it can provide numerous health benefits to anyone who consumes it.

Anti-inflammatory-effects

Anti-inflammatory effects 

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Sorghum is known to be rich in phenolic compounds, many of which act as antioxidants. It has also been shown to be good for reducing certain forms of inflammation due to its antioxidant properties. [1]

Anti-cancer-effects-of-sorghum

Anti-cancer effects of sorghum

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Several of the phenolic compounds in sorghum are associated with anticancer effects. Tani in sorghum, which contribute to the pigmentation of the grain, can inhibit an enzyme associated with the development of breast cancer. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/action/cookieAbsent" target="_blank" data-ref="" rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a>&nbsp;

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Another set of phenolic compounds found in sorghum, known as 3-deoxyantocyanidines, have been shown to have a destructive effect on some human cancer cells. &nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12506" target="_blank" data-ref="Just a moment..." rel="noopener">[Ref. 2]</a>&nbsp;

Sorghum-for-weight-loss

Sorghum for weight loss 

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Starches in sorghum are difficult to digest from the human body compared to other cereals. As a result, sorghum is an excellent addition to any meal to help you feel city without adding too many calories to your diet.&nbsp;

Safe-for-people-with-celiac-disease-and-gluten-intolerance

Safe for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance 

Safe-for-people-with-celiac-disease-and-gluten-intolerance_3_0

Sorghum and its by-products, including sorghum flour, have been identified as a safe alternative cereal for people with co-lyacchia and gluten intolerance. You can replace gluten-containing flour with sorghum in baked goods such as bread, biscuits or other desserts. This wholegrain is also applicable as a saturation healthy garnish to meat and vegetable dishes.&nbsp;

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Due to the presence of fiber and minerals, antioxidants and anticancer components, sorghum is a very interesting culture that finds a well-deserved place in a healthy way of eating. An excellent source of plant protein and gluten-free, sorghum is a great food to improve our immune system and general health.

Health benefits of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

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Health benefits of sorghum consumption (broom seed)

Бетина Цветкова

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Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

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Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are genetic diseases of the blood that are <a href="/p/kak_ghienitie_opriedieliat_prilikata_s_roditielitie_ni_2256bb0a_9ee8_4d00_8f3e_7ca44b90aa45" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">inherited</a>&nbsp;and therefore cannot be cured, but nevertheless there are ways to maintain the better general health of those suffering from them.

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In both diseases, mutations are in the genes for hemoglobin - the <a href="/p/kakva_ie_razlikata_miezhdu_bieltk_i_protiein_b1b6b96e_e340_46d2_9768_ac9fa8cd6adc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">protein</a> that <a href="/p/kakva_ie_razlikata_miezhdu_bieltk_i_protiein_b1b6b96e_e340_46d2_9768_ac9fa8cd6adc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"></a>binds and carries oxygen using erythrocytes (red blood cells). For very severe cases of these diseases, hope is given by the new CRISPR-Cas9 technology, as well as stem cell therapy.

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CRISPR-Cas9 technology - is it ethical and can it be used as a treatment

Stem cell transplantation as cancer treatment

What-is-Sickle-Cell-Disease

What is Sickle Cell Disease

What-is-Sickle-Cell-Disease_0_0

In sickle cell anemia, the mutation of hemoglobin is such that its structure has changed, and this gives erythrocytes unusual for them, but characteristic of the disease sickle form.&nbsp;The normal shape of erythrocytes is a biconcave disc.

What-is-Sickle-Cell-Disease_0_1

This mutation is very common in Africa and other places around the world for which the widespread spread of malaria is characteristic, since the malaria parasite cannot enter and multiply in sickle shaped erythrocytes, and this provides malaria protection for sickle cell anaemia sufferers. Natural selection in this case leads to more people with the mutation, as they survive under the pressure of malaria.

What-is-Thalassemia

What is Thalassemia

What-is-Thalassemia_1_0

Thalassemia is a less common genetic disease, which leads to an insufficient amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells, as well as shorten their lifespan.

What-is-Thalassemia_1_1

The condition causes anemia, a feeling of weakness and various other symptoms, depending on the type and severity of thalassemia. Thalassemia is two types, depending on which chain of protein hemoglobin is affected - alpha or beta. According to the severity of the disease, it is thalassemia minor, intermedia or major - mild, medium and severe form.

What-is-Thalassemia_1_2

More about thalassemia read in the article <a href="/p/vidovie_talasiemiia_simptomi_i_liechieniie_afa4d9df_f99e_4122_bba7_329dd33442e4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"> Types of thalassemia, symptoms and treatment</a>.

What-is-Thalassemia_1_3

Herbs-to-Help-Sickle-Cell-Disease-Sufferers

Herbs to Help Sickle Cell Disease Sufferers

Herbs-to-Help-Sickle-Cell-Disease-Sufferers_2_0

As malaria is very common in Africa and therefore sickle cell anemia is, some of the herbs that are most studied and can be helpful also come from Africa.

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Such medicinal plants are:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Guinea pepper (Piper guineense);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Grains of Paradise or Melegueta pepper (Aframomum melegueta);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sorghum bicolor also known as great millet, durra, jowari/jowar, or milo;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pterocarpus osun.</li>
</ul>

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All of them, except for Grains of Paradise, are constituents of a drug used in sickle cell anemia called Niprisan. Phytocannabinoids (β-caryophylene) and vaniloids (eugenol, capsaicin and piperine) in cloves and Guinea pepper may explain some of the beneficial effects of Niprisan in sickle cell crisis - for example, pain relief. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Traditional_herbal_management_of_sickle_cell_anemia_lessons_from_Nigeria_23198140" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

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Eugenol has an analgesic painkiller and antiseptic effect.

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Capsaicin and piperine have almost no aroma, but they are very hot. It is interesting that the ability of these compounds to cause pain (i.e. burning sensation) makes them useful precisely for pain relief. Exposure to these substances reduces the sensitivity to pain and is used as a counteracting agent in the treatment of arthritis and other conditions with chronic pain.

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It is known that over time a person becomes accustomed to hot food, and the body reacts to the pain of hot with the release of endorphins, which relieve pain and lead to pleasant feelings. This makes spicy food addictive.

Herbs-to-Help-Sickle-Cell-Disease-Sufferers_2_7

Are chili peppers healthy - find out what science has to say

Herbs-to-Help-Sickle-Cell-Disease-Sufferers_2_8

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Other herbs and fruits, that are used to improve the condition of sickle cell anemia sufferers, are:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Root of the African tree Fagara zanthoxyloides;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Unripe papaya fruits or leaves (Carica papaya);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Garlic cloves (Allium sativum);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Leaves of the African tropical tree Hymenocardia acida;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Seeds of Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Leaves or bark from the stem of the African tree Khaya senegalensis.</li>
</ul>

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers

Vitamins and Minerals to Help Thalassemia Sufferers

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Due to hemolytic anemia, increased nutritional needs, iron overload, diabetes and the use of chelators to remove excess iron, food deficiencies are common in thalassemia sufferers.

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It is necessary to check the levels of calcium, <a href="/p/prouchvanie_vitamin_d_okazva_zashchita_srieshchu_ostri_riespiratorni_infiektsii_00b1b2da_7279_4584_98e8_9fa1a4395749" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">vitamin D</a>, vitamins E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol) and C <a href="/p/10_chudiesni_polzi_ot_priiema_na_shipka_6a913ffe_559e_4fda_a29a_f2d81f654662" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">(plasma ascorbate),</a> albumin, fasting glucose, fasting plasma zinc, serum copper and ceruloplasmin, serum selenium and serum folate once a year. [<a href="https://thalassemia.com/nutrition-and-diet.aspx#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers_3_2

When taking multivitamin supplements, it is important that they are iron-free.

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers_3_3

Patients with a mild form of thalassemia who do not receive a blood transfusion are recommended to take folic acid and a diet low in iron - avoid iron-fortified cereals and other products and excessive consumption of red meat. Drinking <a href="/p/zielieniiat_chai_9_nieochakvani_polzi_za_zdravieto_i_kak_da_gho_prighotvim" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">black tea</a> during meals is recommended to reduce iron absorption from food.

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For patients who get blood transfusions and are on chelation therapy, a low-iron diet is unnecessary and can impair quality of life.

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Vitamin D intake is recommended for patients with 25-hydroxy vitamin D below 20 ng/dL.

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers_3_6

In case of insufficient intake of calcium, it can also be obtained with supplements.

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It is good to keep in mind that alcohol and cigarettes are dangerous for sufferers of thalassemia, since alcohol can lead to <a href="/p/chierniiat_drob_nie_boli_koi_bilki_podobriavat_zdravieto_mu_pri_khiepatit_stieatoza_i_tsiroza_ed55df70_c2be_430d_93f0_29a2aece49ff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">damage to liver tissue</a>, and smoking cigarettes can lead to <a href="/p/koi_bilki_podobriavat_zdravinata_na_kostitie_pri_ostieoporoza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">osteoporosis</a>.

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers_3_8

Vitamins-and-Minerals-to-Help-Thalassemia-Sufferers_3_9

Sickle cell anemia and thalassaemia are genetic diseases affecting hemoglobin, but due to the large difference in severity of different forms of these diseases, they can allow normal life without the need for special therapy, but may also present with severe symptoms and complex treatment might be needed. In any case, appropriate dietary supplements or herbs may improve the quality of life of those affected, of course under medical supervision and with monitoring of relevant blood indicators.

Q&amp;A

What-is-silent-thalassaemia?

What is silent thalassaemia?

What-is-silent-thalassaemia?_4_0

In silent thalassaemia there are no pronounced symptoms. One gene is missing or damaged, and the other 3 are normal. Blood tests are usually normal. Red blood cells may be smaller than normal. A parent with silent thalassaemia may pass on the damaged gene to their child. This is confirmed by DNA tests. [<a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/alpha-thalassemia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.3</a>]

Thalassemia-and-pregnancy---what-should-you-know?

Thalassemia and pregnancy - what should you know?

Thalassemia-and-pregnancy---what-should-you-know?_4_0

During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the mother's body increases, which can lead to anemia and difficulties for the heart. Heart activity, as well as the liver functions of a pregnant woman with thalassaemia should be closely monitored throughout pregnancy. Taking folic acid is mandatory, as for any other pregnant woman in the first three months, as well as in the period before pregnancy.

Thalassemia-and-pregnancy---what-should-you-know?_4_1

A doctor is consulted about the likelihood that the baby has inherited the disease, especially if the partner also turns out to be carrying a defective gene.

Thalassemia-and-pregnancy---what-should-you-know?_4_2

How-is-sickle-cell-anemia-inherited?

How is sickle cell anemia inherited?

How-is-sickle-cell-anemia-inherited?_4_0

In order to develop sickle cell anemia, the child must have inherited one allel of the gene for the disease from both parents. Parents may not suffer from the disease, but be only carriers, that is, have only 1 defective allele of the gene and lack of symptoms. To inherit the disease, it is sufficient for one parent to suffer from sickle cell anemia (to have 2 allele defects) and for the other not to suffer but to carry the defective gene.

How-is-sickle-cell-anemia-inherited?_4_1

If both parents are carriers of the mutation, the risk of disease in their children is as follows [<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/causes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.4</a>]:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Probability that 1 in 4 every child they have will not inherit genes of the disease and have no sickle cell anemia or be able to transmit it;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Probability 1 in 2 each child they have will simply inherit a copy of the sickle cell gene from 1 parent and be a carrier;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Probability 1 in 4 each child they have will inherit copies of the disease gene from both parents and be born with sickle cell anemia.</li>
</ul>

sorghum bicolor

Herbs and Supplements to Help Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Sufferers