Health

7 Health and Beauty Benefits of Sesame Seeds

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Sesame seeds are one of the oldest oil seed crops known going back well over 3000 years. With its rich, nutty flavor, this seed has become a staple in many meals.

Mostly, we find ourselves sprinkling a little bit here or there. After all, one of the fastest ways to give a little lift to your morning yogurt, oatmeal, or salad is add some sesame seeds.

Even the smallest amount will enhance the flavor making your mean much more appetizing.  But did you ever stop to consider the extraordinary health benefits of this tiny little seed?

Natasha Edwards, at Health Digezt, recently wrote about the health and beauty benefits of sesame seeds. She said that, “sprinkling some sesame seeds helps enhance the nutritional content of just about anything you serve on the table. This doesn’t really come as a shock because those tiny seeds contain good amounts of fiber, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. Sesame seeds also yield protein for muscle building, healthy skin and hormone production.”

Even though the seed itself is very small it is loaded with health benefits derived from its oil. In actuality, among any seeds the sesame seed has one of the highest oil contents.

Read on to discover some of the perks you can enjoy just by adding some sesame seeds to your daily diet.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Sesame Seeds

Eating Them May Help Regulate Bowel Movement

As mentioned earlier, sesame seeds contain fiber which is important for proper functioning of the digestive tract. Fiber which is abundantly found in these tiny seeds helps promote the regular movement of the bowels, thus keeping at bay constipation. As an added bonus, experts say that a diet rich in fiber may help lower your risk of suffering from colon cancer.

They May Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

It’s not just colon cancer that may be warded off by sesame seeds because of their fiber content, but many other forms of cancers as well. That’s because sesame seeds contain magnesium, a mineral revered for its cancer-fighting ability. Magnesium is also vital for energy production, protein synthesis, healthy nerves and mood stabilization.

Sesame Seeds Promote Stronger Bones

Osteoporosis is the softening and weakening of the bones, making them prone to ending up fractured. An effective way to keep this debilitating medical condition away is by consuming foods that are rich not only in calcium, but zinc too. Guess what? Sesame seeds contain excellent amounts of both calcium and zinc!

They Also Help Ward Off Joint Pain

The inclusion of sesame seeds in your diet is especially beneficial if you are an active individual who loves playing sports, exercising outdoors or hitting the gym. That’s because sesame seeds are loaded with copper, a mineral associated with the reduction of joint pain and inflammation. For healthier and pain-free joints, start sprinkling some sesame seeds on your favorite meals today.

Including Them in the Diet is Good for the Heart

There are many reasons why sesame seeds are good for your cardiovascular system. First, their fiber and antioxidant content help lower cholesterol. Second, magnesium in them allows for blood pressure regulation. Third, there’s a compound called sesamol in sesame seeds that can ward off inflammation which is bad for the heart and blood vessels.

Sesame Seeds Help Beautify Your Skin

Zinc which is found abundantly in sesame seeds is a mineral necessary for the production of collagen, a type of protein that makes your skin elastic. Making your oatmeal or salad more palatable by sprinkling sesame seeds on them can actually help ward off wrinkles and fine lines. Zinc is also necessary for skin repair as well as the prevention of various skin disorders.

They Can Give You a Lovelier Smile

Because they are crunchy, sesame seeds can help gently scrape off plaque and stains on your choppers as you much on them. This results in whiter teeth that you can confidently flash each time. Did you know that swishing sesame seed oil in your mouth also helps promote superb oral health by zapping bacteria and preventing inflammation of the gums?