12Amazing Benefits of Using Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are so nutritious that you might not want to wait until your next visit to the bakery to eat the few that top your bagel. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of many essential minerals as well as a very good source of vitamin B1 (thiamin) and dietary fiber. The nutrients found in sesame seeds may contribute to cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, support respiratory health, protect against colon cancer and osteoporosis as well as other conditions.
Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds
Blood Pressure
The natural oils of sesame seeds have been connected to a reduction in hypertension in a number of research studies, which reduces the strain on your cardiovascular system, and helps prevent various cardiac conditions. Furthermore, magnesium has long been known as a vasodilator (an agent that reduces blood pressure) and sesame seeds are packed with this essential mineral, containing up to 25% of your daily requirement in a single serving.
Keeps your heart healthy
The essential minerals found in sesame seeds help to regulate your heart. They control the muscle activity of the heart, to make it beat at regular intervals, and they help to make your heart stronger.
High Protein Vegetarian Diet
Sesame seeds are a good source of dietary protein, with high-quality amino acids making up 20% of the seed. Thus, they are perfect to form part of a high-protein vegetarian diet. Just sprinkle them over your salads, veggies, and noodles.
Prevent Diabetes
Sesame seeds contain magnesium and other nutrients that have been shown to combat diabetes. The usage of sesame seed oil as the sole edible oil has been found to be effective in lowering the blood pressure and plasma glucose in hypersensitive diabetics.
Cancer Prevention
With the wide range of essential vitamins and minerals contained in sesame seeds, it is no surprise that it has been linked to a reduction in the risk of cancer. Beyond the role of these more common minerals, including the powerful anti-carcinogenic effects of magnesium, sesame seeds also contain phytate, an uncommon cancer preventing compound that functions as an antioxidant and reduces the impact and effects of free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that have been connected to many forms of cancer and various other conditions like heart diseases, premature aging, and cognitive malfunctions.
Specific cancer prevention that sesame seeds have been linked to include leukemia, breast, lung, pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancers.
Cure Anemia
Sesame seeds are rich in iron. Hence, they are highly recommended for those suffering from anemia and weakness.
Bone Health
The impressive levels of essential minerals like zinc, calcium, and phosphorous that are found in sesame seeds can be a major boost for your body’s bone health. These minerals are integral parts in creating new bone matter, and strengthening/repairing bones that may be weakened by injury or the onset of debilitating bone conditions like osteoporosis.
Digestion
These little seeds pack a significant amount of fiber inside of them, like many other seeds and nuts. Fiber is an important element in healthy digestion, as it bulks up bowel movements and helps them move through the digestive tract, as well as stimulating peristaltic motion as food moves through the smooth intestine. This can reduce conditions like constipation, as well as diarrhea, while simultaneously protecting the health of your colon and reducing the chances of gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. Fiber also works for your heart, by scraping out dangerous LDL cholesterol from arteries and blood vessels, thereby protecting against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Radiation Protection
One of the unusual organic compounds in sesame seeds is called sesamol, and it has been associated with protecting DNA from the harmful effects of radiation. This radiation could come from accidental sources, or from the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. By protecting DNA from mutation due to radiation, sesame seeds can boost strength and reduce the chances of contracting other forms of cancer due to cellular mutation.
Oral Health
Sesame seeds and sesame seed oil help in boosting the oral health by removing dental plaque and whitening your teeth. Oil pulling, i.e. swishing your sesame seed oil in your mouth, can reduce the amount of streptococcus mutants in both the teeth and the mouth saliva and boost the overall health.
Skin and Hair Health
Sesame seeds contain high levels of zinc, a vital component in the formation of collagen, which strengthens muscle tissue, hair, and skin. Also, sesame seed oil has been shown to reduce the appearance of burns and marks on the skin, as well as reducing the signs of premature aging.
Reduces anxiety
Rich in niacin, sesame seeds can also help to reduce anxiety. Eating 100 grams of the seeds will provide about 30% of the daily recommended amount niacin, a compound that improves the gamma-amino-butyric acid activity, inside the brain, which helps to reduce anxiety and neurosis.
Words of Caution
Excessive consumption of sesame seeds can cause irritation in the stomach and colon. They can also show up on drug tests due to their small amount of THC. However, both of these things occur when it is consumed in very large amounts.
Sources:
livestrong.com
organicfacts.net
stylecraze.com
beautyandtips.com
Other links:
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