Residents of Kiambu County have been advised to drink porridge and eat ugali made from sorghum as it can stem osteoporosis, a condition often associated with ageing of bones among the elderly.
Speaking in her office Friday, nutritionist at the Kiambu District Hospital Faith Munoru said magnesium, which is found in large quantities in sorghum, helps in the absorption of calcium which aids in the formation of strong bones.
“The two minerals are integral to the formation of bone tissue and hastens in the healing of broken bones,” she said.
Munoru also noted that the cereal is rich in copper which helps to spike the uptake and absorption of iron into the body and prevents the development of anemia.
“With sufficient iron and copper in the blood the formation of red corpuscles is enhanced thus boosting the circulation of blood, stimulating cellular growth and repair and increasing the hair growth on the head,” she added.
Munoru pointed out that sorghum consumption can help control diabetes as it contains enzymes that hinder absorption of starch by the body, which can assist in regulating insulin and glucose levels in the body.
“Sorghum also contains rare antioxidants which inhibit the development of various cancers, including esophageal cancer,” she said.
Antioxidants are compounds that assist to neutralize and remove free radicals in the body such as tobacco smoke, toxins and pollutants which cause healthy cells to mutate to cancer cells.