Health
Benefits

Tahini
and halva have both many health benefits. In fact, their benefits
come from the sesame seeds. Tahini is 100 % composed of ground sesame
seeds while 50% by weight of halva is constituted of tahini.
Sesame seed oil is known as the "Queen of oils". This
is because it is the most stable oil among all oils. In fact, sesame
seed is rich in two antioxidant compounds which give it and its
derivatives their health benefits.
How
Sesame Seed Oil Keeps You Healthy:
Nourishes
the body
Sesame has
been known for a long time as a healthy food because of its rich
components and its good balance. Sesame contains high-quality proteins
(20%), fats (50%), calcium, iron, vitamin B1, B2 and E in a well
balanced manner. It can replenish the energy of the body and increase
muscle strength.
Note that nutrients from the sesame seed are best absorbed in the
form of sesame oil or tahini. The whole seeds do not break down
readily and release all their nutrients unless very well chewed.
Promotes
cell integrity and function
Sesame oil contains several important antioxidants, sesamolin and
sesamol, that are believed to promote the integrity of body tissues
in the presence of oxidizing compounds. The antioxidants sesamolin
and sesamin prevent the oxidation of fats in the blood vessels including
low-density lipoproteins (LDL), thus, protecting the arteries from
hardening.
Enhances
vitamin E activity
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, protects the body from harmful
oxidizing compounds. Sesame oil contains gamma-tocopherol, which
has little vitamin E activity. However, the sesamolin and sesamin
found in sesame oil, increases vitamin E activity dramatically,
acting synergistically with vitamin E to provide antioxidant capacity
to the body. Vitamin E prevents premature aging, cancer and heart
diseases. It may alleviate symptoms of PMS.
Keeps
your heart healthy
Sesame seed oil contains calcium, an important nutrient for the
entire vascular system.
Animal research suggests that supplementation with sesamin may help
maintain normal blood fat levels by regulating the secretion of
fats from the liver.
Sesame oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids which are known
to reduce the "bad" cholesterol and thus promoting the
"softness" and "youth" of the blood vessels.
Supports
immune response
Sesamin, through its effect on regulating compounds known as eicosanoids,
helps promote a balanced immune and auto-immune response. In vitro
research showed that sesame oil also protects the body against certain
types of cancer (skin and colon cancer).
Protects
the skin
Sesame oil
makes ideal massage oil because of its emollient properties. Applied
topically sesame oil is thought to aid in healing chronic diseases
of the skin. Its chemical structure gives it a unique ability to
penetrate the skin easily, nourishing and detoxifying even the deepest
tissue layers.
It is naturally antibacterial for common skin pathogens, such as
staphylococcus and streptococcus as well as common skin fungi, such
as athlete's foot fungus. It is also a natural anti inflammatory
agent.
Sesame oil rubbed on the skin may sooth minor sunburn as well as
help in the healing process. Studies showed that it could assist
against ageing of the human body.
Maintains
a healthy liver
Tissue analyzed from animal experiments show sesame oil lignins
may promote a healthy liver. The results of human research are not
yet complete.
Aids
the digestive tract
Sesame seeds help in relieving constipation and remove worms from
the intestinal tract. They are an aid to digestion and stimulate
blood circulation.
This explains why in ancient Greece, HIPPOCRATES,
known as the "Father of Doctors" had said:
"SESAME IS A FOOD THAT CAN IMPROVE MANKIND'S ENERGY
AND VITALITY."
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