Health
Benefits of Sesame Seeds
The benefits of sesame are not just
culinary but this nutrient dense condiment is good for our bodies as well.
Sesame seeds include a combination of vitamins and minerals which make it one
of the healthiest foods in the world
In
addition to their culinary uses, these seeds possess nutritive, preventive and
curative properties which render them usable in traditional medicines. Sesame
seed oil is a rich source of phytonutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids,
flavonoid phenolic antioxidants, vitamins and dietary fibre. These seeds, thus,
offer a variety of benefits.Sesame seeds health benefits include the following.
Prevents Diabetes:
Sesame seeds contain magnesium and other nutrients that have
been shown to combat diabetes. Usage of sesame seed oil as the sole edible oil
has been found to be effective in lowering blood pressure and plasma glucose in
hypersensitive diabetics.
1. Loaded with Antioxidant – Although antioxidant supplements are not very effective, getting antioxidants from foods can have positive effects on health. Most importantly, antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which can damage molecules in cells and contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer.
2. Fights Diabetes – Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes.
3. All Carbs in Chia are Fiber- Almost all of the carbohydrates in chia seeds are fiber. This gives them the ability to absorb 10-12 times their weight in water. Fiber also has various beneficial effects on health.
4. Stock up on Omega-3 – Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. “There’s better conversion of omega 3s into the plasma or into the food than with flax seed,” said researcher Wayne Coates.
5. Helps Make Teeth and Bones Stronger – A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts your well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis.
6. High in Protein – Chia seeds are high in quality protein, much higher than most plant foods. Protein is the most weight loss friendly macronutrient and can drastically reduce appetite and cravings.
7. With Manganese and Phosphorus – Manganese isn’t a well-known nutrient, but it’s important for our health: it’s good for your bones and helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin. One serving of chia seeds, or 28 grams, has 30 per cent of your recommended intake of this mineral. Chia seeds also make a great source of protein for vegetarians and don’t have any cholesterol. One 28-gram serving of these super seeds has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value.
8. May substitute your Sports Drink -One small study shows that chia seeds can partly replace gatorade as a way of carb loading for endurance athletes, but this needs to be studied more.
9. Fights Belly Fat – Chia’s stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health.
10. Improve Heart Health – According to the Cleveland Clinic, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics, and may also increase healthy cholesterol while lowering total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol. All good news for your ticker!
The mild, nutty flavor of chia seeds makes them easy to add to foods and beverages. They are most often sprinkled on cereal, sauces, vegetables, rice dishes, or yogurt or mixed into drinks and baked goods. They can also be mixed with water and made into a gel. So enjoy!
Health Cardiovascular:
·
Sesame seed oil prevents atherosclerotic lesions and
hence, is beneficial for heart health.
·
They contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound
called sesamol which also exhibits anti-atherogenic properties, thus improving
cardiovascular health.
·
Sesame seeds are high in monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic
acid which helps in lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol in
the body. This prevents the risk of coronary artery disease and strokes.
Health Digestive:
Sesame seeds support a healthy digestive system and colon as
they are rich in fiber. This high fiber content helps to smooth the functioning
of the intestine, thus facilitating waste disposal and relieving constipation.
Eye Health:
·
According to traditional Chinese medicine, there is a
strong relationship between the internal organs and external parts such as the
liver and eyes.
·
The liver stores blood and since a certain branch of the
liver channel goes to the eyes, the liver can also send blood to the eyes to
support their functioning.
·
Black sesame seeds are beneficial for liver as they
increase liver blood, thereby nourishing the eyes. Their therapeutic effects
help in treating blurred vision and tired, dry eyes.
Skin Detoxifier:
The antioxidants contained in sesame seed oil help in
detoxifying your skin. When applied on skin, the molecules of this oil attract
oil soluble toxins which can be washed away with hot water and soap.
·
Mix half a cup sesame seed oil with half a cup apple cider
vinegar and a quarter cup water.
·
This should be applied every night after splashing your
face with water.
You should include sesame seed oil in your beauty regime
Growth Hair:
Sesame seeds for hair contain essential fatty acids such as
omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 which promote hair growth. Sesame seed oil
stimulates hair growth by nourishing, conditioning and promoting a healthy
scalp. Regular massage with warm sesame oil penetrates your scalp, thus
increasing blood circulation. It is comparable to a liquid vitamin that feeds
your hair roots and shafts.
