Sorghum: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Sorghum is a grain. It is commonly eaten as a cereal grain in Africa. The seed and leaves are also sometimes used to make medicine.

People use sorghum for digestion problems, HIV/AIDS, obesity, diabetes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Sorghum seems to have a soothing effect on the digestive system.

How does it work ?

Sorghum seems to have a soothing effect on the digestive system.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

HIV/AIDS. Early research shows that taking sorghum might improve the immune system in people with HIV/AIDS already taking antiretroviral drugs.
Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency. Early research shows that taking sorghum doesn't improve anemia in people who are also taking iron supplements.
Obesity. Early research shows that eating sorghum cereal each morning for 8 weeks instead of wheat cereal can reduce body fat in men who are overweight or obese. But it doesn't seem to improve body weight or body mass index (BMI).
Digestion problems.
Diabetes.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of sorghum for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Sorghum is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if sorghum is safe when taken as a medicine or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sorghum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Sorghum overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of sorghum depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for sorghum. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Gaffa, T., Jideani, I. A., and Nkama, I. Traditional production, consumption and storage of Kunu--a non alcoholic cereal beverage. Plant.Foods Hum.Nutr 2002;57(1):73-81.

Gillooly, M., Bothwell, T. H., Charlton, R. W., Torrance, J. D., Bezwoda, W. R., MacPhail, A. P., Derman, D. P., Novelli, L., Morrall, P., and Mayet, F. Factors affecting the absorption of iron from cereals. Br.J Nutr 1984;51(1):37-46.

Bleiberg, F., Brun, T. A., Goihman, S., and Lippman, D. Food intake and energy expenditure of male and female farmers from Upper-Volta. Br.J Nutr 1981;45(3):505-515.

Sullivan AC, Pangloli P, Dia VP. Kafirin from Sorghum bicolor inhibition of inflammation in THP-1 human macrophages is associated with reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018;111:503-510.

Salazar-López NJ, González-Aguilar GA, Loarca-Piña G, et al. Contribution and interactions of hydroxycinnamic acids found in bran and wholegrain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench): Effects on the antioxidant capacity and inhibition of human erythrocyte hemolysis. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8219023.

Abugri DA, Witola WH, Jaynes JM, Toufic N. In vitro activity of Sorghum bicolor extracts, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, against Toxoplasma gondii. Exp Parasitol. 2016;164:12-9.

Nguyen PH, Dung VV, Zhao BT, Kim YH, Min BS, Woo MH. Antithrombotic and antidiabetic flavonoid glycosides from the grains of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench var. hwanggeumchal. Arch Pharm Res. 2014;37(11):1394-402.

Ayuba GI, Jensen GS, Benson KF, Okubena AM, Okubena O. Clinical efficacy of a West African sorghum bicolor-based traditional herbal preparation Jobelyn shows increased hemoglobin and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in HIV-positive patients. J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(1):53-6.

Tayo AO, Dosunmu AO, Akinola IO, et al. An open-label, randomized, parallel-group comparative study of the efficacy of sorghum bicolor extract in preoperative anemia. Nutrition. 2017;33:113-117.

Dia VP, Pangloli P, Jones L, McClure A, Patel A. Phytochemical concentrations and biological activities of Sorghum bicolor alcoholic extracts. Food Funct. 2016;7(8):3410-20.

Anunciação PC, Cardoso LM, Alfenas RCG, et al. Extruded sorghum consumption associated with a caloric restricted diet reduces body fat in overweight men: a randomized controlled trial. Food Res Int 2019;119:693-700.

de Sousa AR, de Castro Moreira ME, Toledo RCL, et al. Extruded sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) reduces metabolic risk of hepatic steatosis in obese rats consuming a high fat diet. Food Res Int 2018;112:48-55.

Ananda GKS, Myrans H, Norton SL, Gleadow R, Furtado A, Henry RJ. Wild sorghum as a promising resource for crop improvement. Front Plant Sci 2020;11:1108.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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