Sesame oil has been used as part of Asian cuisine for many centuries. The oil has medicinal uses and is mostly used in Ayurvedic medicine. Sesame oil has a nutty flavor and is used in cuisine as cooking oil and as a condiment. It is made from both toasted and untoasted seeds, but sesame oil from toasted seeds has a stronger flavor.
Is Sesame Oil Good for You?
Sesame oil is a good vegetable oil for your body. Nutritionists recommend it because it is rich in mono and polyunsaturated acids (PUFAS) that cut cholesterol in the body. Sesame oil contains low saturated fats that are unhealthy. In addition, sesame oil contains sesamol and sesamin, which are powerful antioxidants.
10 Great Benefits of Sesame Oil
To answer the question, is sesame oil good for you? We need to look at its nutritional and medicinal value in detail.
1. Rich in Healthy Fats
Sesame oil is very rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Doctors recommend diets rich in polyunsaturated fats because they reduce cholesterol levels, and lower your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, polyunsaturated fats reduce the risk of developing dementia.
In 2010, researchers outlined their findings on unsaturated fats in an article titled “Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.” They found out that eating high amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats reduces the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment in elderly people. This condition is a precursor for dementia.
2. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Sesame oil contains vitamin E and vitamin K. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces damages from free radicals in the body. Consuming one ounce of sesame oil gives about 75 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin E. It is suggested that vitamin K prevents osteoporosis and lowers the risk of cancer. Sesame oil contains essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure
Studies on the benefits of sesame oil indicate that it lowers blood pressure when consumed regularly. One of these studies was published in “Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine” in September 2007. The study reported that the oil helped in lowering blood pressure and decreased oxidative degradation of fats when consumed on a regular basis. In addition, sesame oil increased the level of antioxidants in hypertensive patients.
4. Antiviral and Antibacterial Qualities
Sesame oil has been used for many centuries in holistic healing for its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Sesame oil is extensively used in holistic medicine in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used to treat various diseases caused by bacterial including athlete’s foot, streptococcus and staphylococcus. Despite its use in holistic medicine, the Food and Drug Administration is yet to recommend sesame oil for its medicinal purpose.
5. Promotes Health Hair
Is sesame oil good for your hair? Yes of course, sesame oil has been used for many years to improve hair health. This oil darkens hair color and minimizes hair loss. As indicated earlier, sesame oil has antibacterial properties. These properties help in eliminating pathogens and other foreign bodies that attack the scalp. It is definitely a good product for maintaining high quality and healthy hair.
6. Improves the Health of Your Skin
Sesame oil contains zinc, which increases the elasticity and smoothness of your skin and reduces the appearance of age spots while eliminating some skin conditions such as premature aging. Sesame oil is used as a sunscreen to protect the skin from the effects of direct sunrays, foreign bodies or toxins. It treats fungal diseases that affect the skin in some cultures.
7. Helps in Treating Anxiety and Depression
Sesame oil is rich in tyrosine, an important amino acid. Tyrosine is connected to serotonin activity and release in the brain. The amino acid helps the body release enzymes and hormones that boost mood and make a person happy. Hence, if you are suffering from depression or anxiety, you can boost your mood by including sesame oil in your diet.
8. Improves Oral Health
It’s also good for oil pulling process that involves putting some sesame oil in your mouth, swishing it around for a few seconds and then spitting it out. This makes your teeth whiter and lowers dental plague levels. Sesame oil also protects us against streptococcus mutants that cause deadly diseases. Its antibacterial properties enable it to improve dental health.
9. Benefits Metabolism and Blood Circulation
Sesame oil’s function in body circulation and metabolism is another answer to the question, is sesame oil good for your body? Zinc and copper present in it enable the body to function at its optimal levels. The copper helps in the production of red blood cells enabling all organs and tissues get the right amount of blood.
10. Reduces Inflammation
Copper in sesame oil is a natural anti-inflammatory substance, which helps in reducing inflammation in the body. It also reduces the discomfort caused by some diseases such as gout and arthritis. Additionally, copper in sesame oil helps in reducing swelling of joints and is essential in strengthening bones and blood vessels. This keeps your frame strong and sturdy preventing any painful inflammation.