Limits in life inspire creativity. The same is true for nutrition – when you eliminate just one component from your diet, you can find a multitude of varieties to replace it. Anyone who is vegetarian, anyone with allergies, or anyone who follows a special diet, such as a Mediterranean diet or a low-sodium diet will tell you that.
In this article, we will learn about sorghum, an ancient wild grain compatible with gluten-free and diabetic diets.
The United States is the largest producer of sorghum in the world. It is grown mainly as a feed for livestock, as a fodder plant, for sorghum syrup, and recently as an alternative grain for a gluten-free diet. Sorghum syrup is a delicious natural sweetener made from the cane and leaves of the sorghum plant. Much like honey, it does not require cooling. It is often compared with molasses, which is made from the sugarcane plant, but it is much sweeter and contains much less total sugar.
Sorghum is a long distant relative of corn. It is essentially the wild raw form of corn before it was cultivated into its current form of sweetcorn. When it grows, the stems and leaves look just like those of a corn plant. You can even pop it on the stove as you would corn. The result is much smaller and crunchier, but mighty tasty.
There are three main types of sorghum: black, white, and red. You will most likely find white sorghum in nature stores or online.
In addition to B1 and B6, sorghum also contains copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc. One cup of cooked sorghum contains 5 g of fiber, which makes up 20% of the daily recommended value for adults.
Related: 5 Warm Breakfast Ideas to Inspire a Gloomy Fall Morning
It has more protein and more iron than quinoa, which is highly praised for its high-protein content, but where sorghum truly shines is its high content of polyphenols. These are natural plant compounds associated with the reduction of various chronic diseases, which determine the antioxidant value of a plant food. Among all grains, sorghum has the highest content of polyphenols, making it comparable to the antioxidant potential of fruits!
When it comes to food security, sorghum does not fall behind. It is a highly drought-resistant ancient grain that gives an exceptionally high yield. In the US, 91% of sorghum is watered by rain.
Basic recipe for sorghum
Sorghum is usually cooked in a 1:3 or 1:4 water ratio. You can either soak it overnight or skip straight to cooking it.
For every cup of sorghum boil three or 4 cups of water with some salt for taste. Wash and strain the sorghum and add it to the boiling water. Boil again, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, until the greens are soft and chewy.
You can also check out these recipes:
For dinner and lunch - Sorghum Pilaf
For a festive yet easy dessert - Strawberry Vanilla Sorghum Parfait
For homemade gluten-free bread - Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
How a Yogurt Breakfast Can Keep You Full Until Lunch
Learn how to make a full-fat yogurt breakfast that will keep you full till lunch, and how to get omega 3 and 6.
Sprouts: Growing, Recipes, and Nutritional Values
Learn all about growing sprouts at home, their nutritional values, what kinds there are and a recipe.
Start the New Year With These 10 Easy to Keep Resolutions!
A new year is a chance to refresh our lives, our bodies and our homes - we've put together the most common resolutions people make and how to stick to them.
Why Pea Milk is the Best of Them All
We're so hooked on pea milk. It's an effortless, delicious, nutritious protein punch.
Super Easy Tips to Maintain a Nutritious Diet in Lockdown
We have collected a few tips from nutritionists and experts on how to survive quarantine preparing easy, healthy and satisfying meals at home.
Spicy Garlic Potato Noodles - Recipes From Scratch
Chef John shows you how to make potato noodles From Scratch! No technique or special equipment is needed!
Yoga for Chronic Pain: Gentle Practice to Soothe and Calm
25 minute yoga tutorial you can follow from home that will help you function better on the day to day if you are suffering from chronic pain
Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Bruises?
If you're getting bruises but can't recall taking a hit, maybe you're deficient in a certain vitamin. Learn the science here.
Doctor Tip: How to Drain Sinus and Clear Nose in 1 Move!
This doctor has a genius routine for draining your sinuses while also clearing your nose.
How to Get Rid of Eye Floaters: Natural Remedies
A doctor explains how to get rid of eye floaters.
7 Things Stress Does to Everybody, Without Exception
Stress is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with in modern life. Here are 7 recent conclusions about stress you should know about.
9 Effective Ways to Make Your Nausea Go Away
Nausea is that unpleasant feeling of discomfort inside your stomach, oftentimes leading to vomiting. Use one of these natural methods to stop it.
Here's a Fast Technique to Put You to Sleep In 1 Minute
Struggling to fall asleep at night? Here’s a super exercise that might make you doze off in just 60 seconds.
What Happens When We Eat Oatmeal Every Day?
Why is eating oatmeal every day so healthy, and what happens to our body when we stick to it?
Shocking! This Is What Chocolate Does to Your Arteries...
Can chocolate cause strokes? Find out in this informative video from Dr. Greger.
STOP Calf Pain - The Best Stretches for Your Sore Calves
Get rid of your calf pain for good with these simple exercises.
How to Effectively Improve Leg Circulation by About 75%
Here’s how you can improve blood circulation in your legs and feet effectively.
Struggling With Obesity? These Exercises Can Help a Lot
Struggling with obesity? Doing these exercises can change your life for the better.
3 One Minute Tricks to Fix Your Nightmare Back Pains
Do you have back pain as a result of prolonged sitting? Here are 3 easy techniques you can try anywhere.
The Truth Behind the Most Popular Types of Diets
There are a lot of popular diets out there. But which one works the best?
The 6 Best Artery-Cleansing Vitamins and Supplements
These vitamins and supplements will help keep your arteries clean.
9 Foods That Will Protect Your Skin From the Sun
These 9 foods each contributes something to the fight between your skin and the harmful UV rays of the sun.
The MAIN Differences Between Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil
Both cod liver and fish oils are healthy options. But which one is more suitable for your body?
10 Instant Self-Checks Worth Performing Regularly at Home
Our body can give certain signs we don't always realize are indications of a bad health or disease - learn 10 brilliant ways of checking out your body for these signs regularly from home.
For Great Health, Add Goji Berries to Your Shopping List!
From fighting aging to a super-charged immune system, this miracle fruit carries with it so many health benefits it should be in everyone's shopping cart.
The Best Natural Remedy for Enlarged Prostate
This simple natural drink can be helpful for shrinking an enlarged prostate.
9 Misleading Myths About High Blood Pressure
In this article, we dispel 9 misleading hypertension myths, so that we’re able to understand it more and take better care of ourselves and our loved ones.
How to Treat Hand Pain that Won't Go Away
Hand pain can be mysterious and annoying as heck. We use our hands all the time and it's hard to tell sometimes why we're hurting and what to do about it as we have to continue using them. This video will give you some tips on treating this pain.
Warning: The Places Bacteria Hides...
The truth about hand washing and the spread of bacteria. This could keep you healthy longer!
Every Senior Must Do These Simple Seated Exercises
Seniors will find this video extremely helpful.
12 Superfoods That Burn the Fat Off Your Diet!
These great superfoods should be part of everyone's meal!
7 Easy Ways to Reverse Receding Gums Naturally
Worried about your receding gums? These useful tips will help…
The Perfect Seated Core Workout for Seniors and Beginners
In this video, two physical therapy experts will guide you through a short seated core strengthening workout suitable for seniors and beginners.
Looking at Caffeine, Shampoo and Rosemary for Hair Growth
Looking at the real research done behind these ingredients helps us see which really help and which still needs more research to know if they are effective on humans.
Doctors Explain: 2 Powerful Tools in Dealing With Anxiety
A renowned doctor equips you with not one, but two phenomenal tools to effectively manage and control your stress.
Does Our Stomach SHRINK When We Eat Less? Our Answer
Eat less, and your stomach will shrink over time.. is that the truth?
Doctor Tip: The Benefits and the Myths of Probiotics
In this video, a doctor explains all about probiotics, facts and myths.
14 Super Foods that Fight to Prevent Cancer
These super foods, taken daily, have been proven to fight to free your body from the risk of cancer.
Hemorrhoids: How to Treat Them the Natural Way
In this article you will find out what are the causes of the problem, what are its symptoms, how to alleviate it in natural ways as well as other ways to deal with its symptoms.
The Shocking Truth About Eggs and Heart Disease
What exactly do eggs do to our arteries? Find out the truth.
Can Aging Be Cured in Your Lifetime? It May Be So...
Could there be a cure for aging? Watch this video and find out!
Do You Really Need to Walk 10K Steps Every Day?
The 10,000 steps a day myth is ingrained in our minds. In this post, Harvard professor Dan Lieberman explains why it's not as black-and-white as it seems.
Vitamin Blast: The Best Vegan Sources of Vitamin D
Here's a dive into various beverages packed with nutrients vital for daily wellness and immune defense against viruses.
Your Kidneys Are So Vital - This is What You Need to Know
Have you ever wanted to know just what it is that your kidneys actually do? Here is the information you've been waiting for.
What You Should & Shouldn't Eat With a Stomach Ache
Not sure what you should and shouldn't eat with an upset stomach? This video has all the answers!
The Secrets to Getting More Oxygen in Your Cells
The best (and easiest) exercises for better breathing.
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.