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Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare): an ancient grain, a novel choice for a healthy gluten-free diet.

Minerva gastroenterology
June 1, 2024
Tommaso Dionisi et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review recent research on nutritional issues in celiac disease (CD) and the gluten-free diet (GFD), focusing on how sorghum could diversify the GFD and address nutritional deficiencies.

Results Summary

The study highlights that sorghum, a gluten-free grain, contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-regulating, and cholesterol-lowering effects, which may benefit CD patients. However, only one study confirms short-term safety, and long-term research is needed.

Population

Celiac disease patients adhering to a gluten-free diet.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
gluten-free diet (GFD)
decrease
symptoms and complications
people with celiac disease
-
can reverse symptoms and prevent complications
#1
sorghum
decrease
nutritional problems due to CD and the nutritional consequences of GFD acceptance
CD patients
-
could provide health benefits
#2
flavones and tannins from sorghum
decrease
inflammation
-
-
have shown anti-inflammatory activity
#3
flavones and tannins from sorghum
increase
blood sugar levels
-
-
can regulate
#4
flavones and tannins from sorghum
decrease
cholesterol
-
-
lower
#5
flavones and tannins from sorghum
decrease
common chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases
-
-
reduce the effects
#6
Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease related to gluten consumption. To date, the only effective therapy that can reverse symptoms and prevent complications is the gluten-free diet (GFD), which is challenging to maintain and has potential health risks. Identifying foods that can help diversify the GFD and that best match the nutritional needs of people with CD may improve the health and quality of life of celiac patients. This review, conducted through a non-systematic search of the available literature, aims to gather the most recent research on nutritional issues in CD and GFD. Moreover, it highlights how sorghum characteristics could provide health benefits to CD patients that counteract the nutritional problems due to CD and the nutritional consequences of GFD acceptance. Sorghum contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as flavones and tannins, that have shown anti-inflammatory activity in preclinical studies. They can also regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol to reduce the effects of common chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Because it is gluten-free, its use in making foods for celiac patients is increasing, especially in the United States. In conclusion, sorghum is a fascinating grain with nutritional properties and health benefits for supplementing GFD. However, only one study confirms the short-term safety of sorghum inclusion in the GFD, and further long-term studies with a large sample are needed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Diet, Gluten-FreeSorghumHumansCeliac DiseaseQuality of Life
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality60/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.03
Normalized Score0.62
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