Benefits Of Eating Sesame Seeds: All You Need To Know
Sesame seed is a crop that is mainly harvested to extract oil. It is native to tropical areas such as Asia, Africa and South America. These seeds are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is the oldest type of oil seeds known to men and people have been using sesame seeds for thousands of years. The first documented use of sesame seeds can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that the Indus Valley Civilisation used it to extract oil and also traded it with ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia. But what many people ask is what are the benefits of eating Sesame seeds? In this blog, we will tell you all the uses, side effects, and benefits of eating sesame seeds. So let’s get started.
Benefits of Using Sesame Seeds
There are various health benefits of eating sesame seeds, and we would like to share them with you.
Lower Your Cholesterol
One of the main benefits of eating sesame seeds is that it helps lower your cholesterol levels in the body. Sesame seeds contain lignans and Phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that can help lower your blood cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are also believed to lower the risk of certain cancers and researchers in the USA found that sesame seeds contain the most Phytosterols among other edible seeds.
Lower The Risk Of Infections
Sesame seeds are rich in natural compounds like sesamin and sesamolin, and these compounds are known for their antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. These compounds are capable of fighting infections because their antioxidant properties help them fight infections and prevent cell damage. Meanwhile, the anti-bacterial properties help the seeds fight bacterial infections like Staph infection, along with cough and common cold.
Fights Hair Damage
One of the benefits of eating sesame seeds is that they can help with hair problems.. Eating seeds or applying their oil on your scalp can significantly reduce hair fall, strengthen your hair, and promote hair growth. The plant polyphenols found in sesame seeds help fight hair damage. Another compound associated with good hair growth is biotin; sesame seeds are one of the best sources of biotin.
Aid Arthritis
Sesame seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight the symptoms of arthritis, and this is one of the major benefits of eating sesame seeds. Moreover, the oil of sesame seeds can be applied to the knees to ease the pain and inflammation around the area. However, the research on the matter is still lacking, and you should consult your doctor if you want to treat the inflammation with sesame seeds, as it can have different effects on different people.
Good For Skin
Zinc is very important for skin health as it is responsible for the synthesis of collagen, which strengthens muscle tissues, hair, and skin. Thus, it is among the main benefits of eating sesame seeds. Moreover, applying sesame oil to the skin overnight helps tighten it. Sesame oil can also be used to treat rashes and wounds because of its antibacterial properties.
Source Of Plant-Based Protein
Sesame seeds are a very good source of protein, making them the best choice for vegetarians and vegans. A 100g serving of sesame seeds can have as much as 20g of high-quality protein. Additionally, it is rich in amino acids, which are responsible for many functions of the human body, including the maintenance and building of muscles. You can try to increase your sesame seeds intake by integrating it with your food.
Prevent Cancer
Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in the world, and thousands of people succumb to this disease every year. One of the benefits of eating sesame seeds is that it can help prevent the risk of certain cancers due to the sesamol compound present in the seeds. The sesamol present in the sesame seeds has various properties such as:
- Anti-oxidant
- Anti-mutagenic
- Anti-hepatotoxic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-ageing
- Chemopreventive
All the properties mentioned above help in the prevention of cancer by maintaining the health of cells and preventing them from mutating into cancer cells. However, you should take this section with a grain of salt because the research on the matter is still lacking.
Side Effects Of Sesame Seeds
Now that we have covered the benefits of eating sesame seeds, we have to take a look at their side effects. So, many studies have been conducted on the matter and concluded that sesame seeds don’t have any side effects. The adverse effects of eating sesame seeds can only be seen if they are eaten in excess amounts. Some of the effects are:
- It might cause blood sugar levels to drop in your body
- It can also drop blood pressure quite significantly to a point where it becomes fatal
- The fibres in the seeds can often form a layer over the appendix, resulting in bloating and severe pain.
- Some people might be allergic to sesame seeds, and for these people, eating sesame seeds can prove to be fatal.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of eating sesame seeds, and applying their oil is one of the major reasons. You can get rid of staph infection, bacterial infection, knee pain, and common cough and cold. Isn’t it a miracle food? They can be eaten raw, turned into oil, or used in baking and frying food to give them a nutty and crunchy texture. Share this blog with your friends and family if you find it beneficial.