Sesame oil is one of the best naturally-grown oils. The oil comes from seeds generally found in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, etc. Sesame seeds contain proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants. People use it for cooking purposes because many sesame oil health benefits help to keep the body fit. So, here we go with some basic information about sesame oil benefits, its nutritional facts, side effects, and uses.
9 Healthy Sesame Oil Benefits
1. Lowering Blood Pressure
There are many advantages of sesame oil, out of which this is the most common and important one that it reduces blood pressure. It may seem that the reduction in blood pressure is due to vitamin E, sesamol, and sesamin.
2. Stress & Depression
The amino acid present in sesame oil is known as tyrosine, which is directly related to serotonin. It’s a neurotransmitter that impacts our moods, and an imbalance in it can lead to depression or stress. So, sesame oil can help in producing serotonin in the body.
3. Improving Oral health
One of the most prominent sesame oil benefits is that improves oral health. Sesame oil has been used for oil pulling in old times. It helps in removing plaque & maintaining good oral health.
4. Sesame Oil Benefit for skin
Sesame is an excellent element in the Indian traditional Ayurveda medical system. It is valued due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in beauty treatments for healthy, healing, and enlightened skin as it naturally contains SPF.
Also Read: Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits
5. Anti-Inflammatory agent
Sesame oil and seeds are rich in sesamin compound, which helps in reducing chronic inflammation, fights various bacteria, fungi from affecting the skin. Inflammation in the body can also lead to obesity, heart diseases, and kidney ailments.
6. Sesame Oil Prevents Anemia
Anemia can be prevented if we consume an adequate amount of sesame oil in our diet. This is because sesame has huge iron content, and iron is very effective in curing anemia. So, sesame oil consumption is one of the most accessible home remedies for anemia.
7. Good for Eye Health
It is also called as gingerly oil, a good source of various nutrients, including flavonoids, phenolic antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and vitamins. Black sesame seed is neither cold nor hot. Sesame oil acts as a stimulant in nourishing the eyes.
8. Sesame Oil Benefits for Hair
Its nourishing, calming, and warming nature makes it the ideal massage oil. In Ayurveda, there is a special significance of using sesame oil for head massage. Its antioxidant elements prevent hair greying, promote hair growth, treat lice, and prevent hair fall.
9. Improves Bone health
Sesame seeds are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. It contains zinc, iron, and magnesium content, which help produce red blood cells, blood circulation, and improve metabolism. In addition, copper has anti-inflammatory properties, helps reduce pain or swelling of joints, and strengthens the bones.
Also Read: Benefits of Olive Oil
Sesame Oil Nutrition Facts
Sesame oil has loads of goodness of essential nutrients that can make you healthy and fit inside out. So, let’s take a look at the amounting nutritional value of sesame oil per 1tbs.
| Nutrients | Nutritional Value per 1tbs |
|---|---|
| Vitamin E | 1.40 mg |
| Vitamin K | 30.5 mcg |
| Iron | 14.55 mg |
| Calcium | 975 mg |
| Zinc | 7.75 mg |
| Fibers | 11.8 g |
| Protein | 17.73 g |
| Calories | 88 |
| Energy | 574 kcal |
Sesame Oil Uses
There are wide-ranging uses of sesame oil, including skin, hair, cooking, mouth, etc. Although it is also helpful in curing and healing many general health issues like controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, good for bones, and much more. Here below are some uses of cold-pressed sesame oil.
1. For Cooking
Sesame oil is good to use for cooking, sautéing, stir fry, baking, salad dressing, or you can even make curries with sesame oil. Moreover, you can use it in significantly less quantity for cooking purposes.
2. Use for Hairs
You can apply sesame oil to the scalp ad gently massage your hair for 2-3 minutes to relax to head muscles. Keep it for 20-25 minutes, and then wash your hair with your cleanser and warm water. You can also add 1 tbsp neem oil, almond oil, or coconut oil to sesame oil for massage.
3. Use for Skin
Sesame oil benefits for the skin are very general and known to everyone. As its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory aspects are of great advantage for the skin. Use it as sunscreen, can cure acne, detoxify skin, heal it, and act as an anti-aging treatment.
4. Dental Health
Sesame oil is very useful for dental problems like removing plaque, healing gums, foil smell, and repairing teeth enamel. Moreover, it can be used for oil pulling as well. Take 1 tbsp of sesame oil empty stomach and swirl in the mouth for 5-10 minutes and spit.
5. Use for Eyes
One of the common sesame oil used is nasal drops. And putting two drops of sesame oil in your nostrils every day might improve your eyesight naturally. It also helps in erasing dark circles and wrinkles.
Sesame Oil Disadvantages
1. It Can Cause Allergies
One of the major sesame oil side effects is it can lead to some kind of allergies like anaphylaxis. For it, you might experience, trouble breathing, dizziness, cardiac arrest, etc. Thus, if any sensitive people are consuming sesame oil then they should limit the quantity.
2. Bad for Diabetics
Sesame is beneficial for keeping blood glucose levels in a normal state. This is achieved due to the fiber and protein that decreases the insulin resistivity of your body. However, if not taken in a limited amount, it can also lower your blood glucose level below its normal state, which is not a favorable condition to be in.
Also Read: Types of Fiber
3. May Cause Appendicitis
The high fiber content in sesame oil may cause mild to severe pain in appendicitis. Because it has insoluble fibers which make it difficult to digest for the stomach. And it can lead to bloating and painful appendix situations.
4. You Might Gain Weight
Weight gain is the common sesame oil disadvantage because the Dietary fiber in sesame oil makes it a more complex substance to digest as these are indigestible fibers, eventually slowing down the body’s normal digestion process. But, on the other hand, it leads to prolonged digestion which gradually increases weight.
