Sesame seeds most often found in breads and salads do much more than just add a nutty crunch to your meals. These black or white seeds are power packed with nutrients and can do a world of good for your health. In terms of blood circulation, sesame seeds have long since been used to treat various ailments connected with circulatory problems, high cholesterol and heart disease. This miracle seed contains two types of unique lignans known as sesamin and sesamol, which can reduce total cholesterol levels as well as the levels of 'bad' cholesterol or LDL. Not convinced? Have a look at the results of an early study that compared the lipid profiles of two groups of subjects. One group was treated with 32mg/day of sesamin and the other group was treated as a control group and received no sesamin. After eight weeks, the group that was treated with sesamin, showed significantly reduced levels of LDL and total cholesterol. In another study, a group of 21 subjects once again showed reduced cholesterol levels after being treated with 40mg/day of sesamin. However, when the same group stopped the intake of sesamin, the benefits of this miracle seed vanished and cholesterol levels shot up once again.
According to the experts, the use of sesame oil is also more and healthier than the use of sunflower or groundnut oils. Sesame oils have been proved to not only help reduce cholesterol, prevent the thickening of arteries and increase blood and tissue levels, but also demonstrates a more superior antioxidant activity as compared to other cooking oils.
Raw or cooked sesame seeds can be added into almost anything in your diet. Thanks to their high nutritive value – being rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, fiber and vitamins – sesame seeds benefit all the major organs and improve the overall functioning of the body. Throw a handful into a salad or stir fry for added crunch, blend them in soups or add them to baked goods for some hidden goodness. Sesame butter can be used as an alternative to regular butter or sandwich spreads. Keep in mind however, that if you are allergic to nuts, sesame seeds or sesame spreads such as tahini may cause allergies as well. Consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.
answered by G R