Sesame Oil: The Health Benefits
Derived from sesame seeds, sesame oil is known for its various health benefits like treating Arthritis, controlling blood pressure, treating premature gray hair, and endless others.
Sesame oil has been used traditionally as a cooking oil in Asian and African cuisines. It is also popular as an efficient massaging oil. However, many of its health benefits are still unknown and require more research on its cosmetic and medicinal benefits.
This blog is a guide that will help you learn more about sesame oil for cooking and its health benefits.
Let’s dive into this.
What is Sesame Oil?
Sesame oil is made from toasted sesame seeds and is also known as "til oil “ widely used for cooking. Because of the simple extraction technique, it has grown in popularity. There is, however, no worldwide mass production of the seeds due to the manual harvesting process. It contains many necessary nutrients in the following composition:
- Energy 884
- Energy 3699 KJ
- Total lipid (fat) 100g
- Choline, total 2mg
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 4mg
- Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 6µg
fatty acids:
- linoleic acid (41% of total),
- oleic acid (39%),
- palmitic acid (8%),
- stearic acid (5%)
How Do I Benefit from Sesame Oil?
- Rich in Antioxidants : Antioxidants are popularly known to treat skin issues caused by the free radicals and reduce the oxidation trigger. Sesame oil is rich in sesaminol and sesamol that have incredible benefits on your health.
During an experiment on rats, who were given sesame oil supplements for a month, the results showed potential in protecting the heart cells. Hence anyone with heart disease is recommended to include sesame oil to their diet.
- Provides Relief From Anxiety: Sesame oil for cooking has tyrosine in it, which is known to stimulate the secretion of serotonin, the chemical known as the ‘mood booster’ or the ‘happy hormone’. Therefore, if you are suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, then consuming sesame oil might improve your mood.
- Controls Blood Sugar Level: Diabetic patients are also advised to incorporate the oil into their diet in order to reap the sesame oil benefits. Studies have shown that having sesame oil with food for 90 days, can considerably reduce the Hemoglobin A1c and blood sugar level.
- Strengthens Bones: Sesame oil contains calcium and copper that are amazing for the growth of bone. Using til oil for cooking will help in healing the bone and boost its growth. As you grow older, the bones tend to get weaker, hence you should have sesame oil with your food to avoid osteoporosis.
- Protects Skin Against UV Rays: The oil provides 30% of resistance against UV rays and hence can be used as good sunscreen during summers. Sesame oil benefits the skin by moisturizing and protecting it from sun damage.
- Helps in Infants Growth: Sesame oil is also great to use as a massage oil for infants. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil nourish the baby’s skin while the other nutrients improve blood circulation and help in boosting growth.
How can I Use Sesame Oil?
Cooking: Sesame oil is good for cooking and can be used as a salad dressing or in stir-fried dishes. The nutty flavor of the sesame oil provides a nice aroma and flavor.
Constipation: If you have irregular bowel movements or constipation, drink a glass of water with 1 or 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in it.
Mouthwash: You can also use it as a mouthwash, the antibacterial properties of sesame oil help in promoting oral hygiene and improving your dental health.
Hair Oil: The moisturizing quality of the sesame oil helps to prevent your hair from drying out. It also provides nourishment to the scalp.
There are a plethora of other advantages to using sesame oil. If you found this blog useful, please share it with your friends and family so they can learn about the sesame oil benefits. Consult your dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns.
