Sesame Seed Oil and 9 Incredible Benefits
Sesame Seed Oil is known around the world as the symbol of immortality and life. Sesame Seed is respected in many parts of the world for detoxification and purification.
Sesame Seed Oil is rich in two important compounds, sasamine and sesamol, that together with beta-sitosterol and high levels of essential fatty, and polyunsaturated, acids gives Sesame Seed Oil restructuring and, antioxidant, activity.
Sesame Seed Oil is one of the most popular oils for Ayurvedic Massage. It is said that in Ayurveda every child is massaged daily, with Sesame Seed Oil, up to the point where they are old enough to give massage treatments to their family members, and once they have proven their skill they begin doing self-massage. Sesame Seed Oil is a favorite for the infamous Indian Head Massage.
9 Incredible Benefits Of Sesame Oil
The health benefits of sesame oil include its ability to improve hair and skin health, help in bone growth, reduce blood pressure, maintain good heart health, manage anxiety and depression, protect infant health, cure dental problems, prevent cancer, improve the digestive process, and lower inflammation.
Sesame oil, which [1] comes from sesame seeds, is a lesser-known vegetable oil but is, in fact, one of the healthiest alternatives to normal vegetable oils. Sesame seeds, known by the scientific name Sesamum indicum, are small yellowish brown seeds that are primarily found in Africa, but they also grow in smaller numbers on the Indian subcontinent.
Sesame oil has gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years because it is relatively inexpensive to extract (simple hot water flotation or a variety of pressing techniques). However, sesame oil is best acquired when the seeds are completely ripe, which means that the outer shells burst. It can be used in cooking, and it is most commonly used in Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian dishes, as well as in Middle Eastern cuisines.
Sesame oil has also been used in massages, due to its beneficial effects on the body and skin. It is a highly sought after oil, even as a carrier oil for various cosmetic products. The problem is the manual [2]processing that sesame seeds require, because of which there will always be more demand than supply.
The impressive [3] amount of vitamins, minerals, organic compounds, and other beneficial components in sesame oil is the reason why it is considered so healthy.
Health Benefits Of Sesame Oil
Let’s take a closer look at what health benefits can actually be enjoyed when you add this oil to your diet.
Hair Care
Sesame oil has traditionally been used to improve [4] the health of hair. It can help retain the natural hair color and minimize hair loss. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial effects of sesame oil can help to eliminate the pathogens or foreign bodies that can attack your scalp or hair.
Skin Care
Sesame oil is rich [5] in zinc, which is one of the most important minerals for your skin. It can increase skin elasticity and smoothness, helping reduce the appearance of age spots and eliminating skin conditions, including premature aging. Sesame oil can also be used as a sunscreen because it creates a protective layer on the skin, which is another way of protecting the body from foreign substances or toxins that get in through the skin. In some places, sesame oil has even been used to treat fungal diseases on the skin.
Protects Heart Health
Like most vegetable oils, sesame oil is helpful and delicious because of its fatty acid content. It contains a wide range of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including sesamol and sesamin. These fatty acids keep the cardiovascular system strong and the LDL cholesterol levels low [6]. This oil can also drop the cholesterol levels that the body already has, thereby reducing atherosclerosis. This means that you are better protected from a heart attack and stroke if you add sesame oil to your diet.
Improves Bone Quality
Copper, zinc, and calcium are the three minerals that are integral [7] to bone growth in the body, which means that by maintaining an appropriate level of sesame oil in your diet, you can increase the rate of bone growth and development, as well as speed up any healing or regrowth of bones as well. As you get older, sesame oil can help you avoid osteoporosis and various age-related weaknesses in the bones.
Relieves Anxiety
Tyrosine, in sesame oil, has been directly connected to serotonin activity in the brain, which can help boost the mood by flooding the body with enzymes and hormones that make a person feel happy. In other words, when you are suffering [8] from anxiety or depression, sesame oil can give you a positive boost and turn your mood around.
Oral Health
Sesame oil is highly recommended by dental professionals because of a process called oil pulling, which involves putting oil in your mouth and then swishing it around before spitting it out. With sesame oil, this process has been directly linked to whiter teeth, lower levels of dental plaque, and protection against certain streptococcus mutants that can make us very ill. The powerful anti-bacterial effects of this oil are the main reasons for this boost in dental health.
Prevents Cancer
Sesame oil contains an organic compound called phytate, which has been directly linked to a reduction in the development of cancer. Furthermore, the magnesium level in sesame oil is unusually high, and this essential mineral is directly linked to lowered chances [9] of colorectal cancer. The calcium content is also very beneficial for preventing colon cancer.
Boosts Circulation & Metabolism
High copper and zinc content [10] mean that the body is able to function at its optimal levels, mainly because copper is required for the production of red blood cells. With a significant percentage of copper in sesame oil, your body is sure to get the right amount of blood flowing to the organs and tissues, ensuring a healthier lifestyle.
Reduces Inflammation
Copper is a natural anti-inflammatory substance [11] and can help reduce the inflammation and discomfort of various conditions such as gout and arthritis. It reduces the swelling of joints and strengthens the bones and blood vessels, helping to keep your frame strong and sturdy for many years without any painful inflammation.
Word of Caution: If you are taking anticoagulant or blood-thinning medications, you should speak with your doctor before adding sesame oil to your diet. It lowers your blood pressure and thins the blood as it is, so combining those could be potentially dangerous. Otherwise, enjoy it in any way you like. Happy cooking!
References
- http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02860629?LI=true
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0305197885900717
- http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15327914nc391_9
- http://www.google.com/patents/US20080220058
- http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/22/10/1315.short
- http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/8979168
- http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/81/4/934.short
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938409003163
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2018355
- http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02659779
- http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01998974
Words by: Uknown
Source: Organic Facts