Benefits of Sorghum (Jowar) includes is gluten-free, rich in fiber, great food for diabetics, source of protein, packed with essential minerals, promotes the health of bones, helps you lose weight, preserves the health of digestive system, great source of proteins for vegetarians and vegans, rich in antioxidants, extremely versatile grain, and more sustainable than other grains.
Sorghum is definitely not the most popular ingredient we have heard of, but undoubtedly one packed with incredible health benefits that anybody should be aware of!
Sorghum is only the English name of a grain that has been known for decades as Jowar, an ingredient used in many ethnic cuisines or grounded into flour to make dosa, cheela, bhakri, and delicious roti.
Today, it also has gained the epithet of new quinoa, as this ingredient is gluten-free and among the healthiest addition to our diets.
While it is not yet particularly known, this grain that is part of the millet family could just be your answer if you were looking for a non-refined product.
Let’s have a look at the Sorghum grain’s benefits and properties!
13 Health Benefits of Sorghum (Jowar)
1. Jowar is Gluten Free
Today many people are shifting towards a gluten-free diet due to the many proven benefits that this diet can bring. Gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat or barley, is, in fact, often responsible for digestive problems.
Introducing Jowar into your diet will allow you to eat just as delicious baked goods without the bloating, pain, and cramps that often derive from the consumption of gluten.
Sorghum has been found to be an excellent substitute for wheat for people that are either intolerant or deciding to enjoy a gluten-free diet.
It means that all the benefits that we are about to list and the nutrients that this ingredient can offer can be enjoyed by anybody!
2. Sorghum is Rich in Fiber
Consuming enough fiber and fulfilling our daily need for it can be a determining factor for maintaining a healthy digestive system. However, most cereals and other ingredients that we tend to eat are incredibly low in this essential compound.
Jowar is, in fact, much higher in fibers than barley or rice, just as delicious and without gluten. Each serving will offer you 12 grams of fiber, which is an even higher amount of your required daily intake. It can reduce not only the risk of serious digestive diseases but also lower the chances of obesity, strokes, and diabetes.
3. Sorghum is a Great Food for Diabetics
Oppositely to other types of carbohydrates, Sorghum can help you balance the sugar level in your blood. But how is this possible?
Jowar is a complex carbohydrate that is naturally digested slowly by our bodies, much more than similar grains. It means that it promotes a gradual rise of the sugar level, avoiding peaks and drops.
A combination of this incredible property and the high amount of fibers contained by a serving make this ingredient the perfect addition for people with diabetes and anybody looking at losing weight.
By substituting wheat with Sorghum, you will be able to enjoy all of your favorite carbs, without having to worry about the sugars!
4. Sorghum is a Source of Protein
The incredible nutritional properties boasted by this grain don’t end to the high amount of fibers and vitamins contained, Jowar is also extremely rich in proteins!
Only one cup of Sorghum is packed with over 20 grams of protein, an amount that any gym-goer dreams of!
It will not only help you grow muscle and get stronger, but it will also promote weight loss and cell regeneration.
Eating this grain while you are on a strict diet will make you feel fuller for longer and, while you will be very satisfied with your meal, you will still be within your diet’s requirements!
5. Jowar is Packed with Essential Minerals
First off, Sorghum is extremely rich in Iron, containing over 8 milligrams in each cup. This mineral is essential to the efficient functioning of hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for the transport of oxygen through the blood.
Adding this grain to your diet, you will be able to enjoy a better functioning of your cardiovascular system.
Moreover, Jowar presents extremely high amounts of calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorous, and potassium.
Among some of the most exclusive vitamins contained by this grain, it is possible to find high quantities of B vitamins, which aid cell-building and regeneration.
6. Promotes the Health of Your Bones
Due to our fast-paced lifestyles, we often forget how important it is to check that we are assuming enough calcium to maintain our bones strong and healthy. Moreover, it is much more satisfying to eat past rather than a healthier meal!
It is why Jowar is incredibly important. Not only is delicious and any carb-based meal that you used to love can be turned into a Sorghum-based one, but it is very rich in magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that helps our bodies retain the right levels of calcium and absorb it.
This process maintains our bones strong as well as help us prevent more severe bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
7. It helps you Lose Weight!
A nutritional and balanced diet will not only make you feel great but also help you lose weight. There are not many carbs and grains that are diets friends, as often this ingredient is thought responsible for weight increase and obesity.
While it is recommended to have carbs in moderation, if you are looking at strictly following a low-carb diet, Jowar is for you. Moreover, the fiber present in it will help you clean your guts and colon, eliminating feelings of bloating and discomfort.
8. It Preserves the Health of Your Digestive System
Due to the presence of fibers and minerals, this grain can be helpful to prevent severe or not digestive diseases and conditions. In fact, we have already seen how it can reduce bloating, but it is also effective against ulcers.
It also used occasionally by people suffering from diarrhea or constipation, as this grain can help you rebalance the digestive activity and settling your guts.
9. It Is A Great Source of Proteins for Vegetarians and Vegans
Many people are transitioning to a plant-based diet for ethical, personal, health, or environmental reasons.
Everybody that has introduced this change in their diets has seen incredible benefits, but many vegetarians and vegans have reported being struggling to meet the daily protein requirements.
Jowar, with its amount of protein per serving, it can be a great source of proteins to be introduced effectively in a plant-based diet.
Moreover, this ingredient is loved by plant-based athletes to get the energy and protein intake needed, without being affected by blood sugar peaks and drops.
10. Jowar Can Be a Great Pick Me Up
It is normal to feel blue or in need of extra energy to make it through the day or a harder workout at the gym.
While many people have turned to supplements and drinks to get the right level of energy, Jowar offers a more natural alternative that can suit everybody!
These grains are incredibly high in niacin, which is also called Vitamin B3, which is mainly responsible for transforming food into energy that can be then used by our bodies.
Moreover, instead of experiencing peaks of energy when they are less needed, Sorghum will dispense energy sustainably throughout your day, leaving you to feel at your best at any point!
11. Jowar is Rich in Antioxidants
Aside from many other minerals and vitamins boosted by this grain, Jowar is also rich in antioxidants. These have become famous and very well known. They are responsible for fighting free radicals while protecting and regenerating damaged cells.
Among the benefits of antioxidants that have been proven by many studies, it is possible to experience a reduction of inflammation, risk of cancer, and better skin health.
Jowar presents high quantities of tannins, anthocyanins, phytosterols, policosanols, and phenolic acids, which are important phytochemicals. It makes Jowar an essential ingredient to be added to our diets to improve our immune system and general health.
12. It is an Extremely Versatile Grain
It can be complicated to start cooking with entirely different ingredients from the one that you are most used to.
However, if you have always liked to experiment in the kitchen and try different recipes, you should know that Jowar is incredibly versatile and can be used in many different ways.
Aside from cooking the grains, it is possible to ground Sorghum and use it has flour to create delicious, gluten-free baked goods. As this grain is becoming more popular in Western countries, the number of recipes designed, and testes are growing too.
13. It Is More Sustainable than Other Grains
Today sustainability is an important factor to consider when food shopping for our favorite ingredients. However, Sorghum is one of the best choices on the market as it uses less water to grow, and it is easy to maintain.
Due to its better heat tolerance, it can be grown in many countries without increased inputs such as water or artificial heat sources.
Conclusion
While wheat is a better-known grain, Jowar might get in the first position soon! It is packed with a high amount of minerals, vitamins, fibers, and proteins, which are essential to our general wellbeing.
It can be added to any diet’s types, it is gluten-free, and brings incredible benefits to our bone, cardiovascular, and digestive system. Best of all, it is also delicious!
Have you tried Sorghum? Do you have a special recipe? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
References:
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/6-impressive-benefits-of-jowar-sorghum-1783839
https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/7-reasons-why-jowar-sorghum-is-good-for-your-health/
