Sesame seeds (til in Hindi and Ellu in Tamil) are the oldest condiment known to man dating back to as early as 1600 BC. Sesame seeds are tiny, flat oval seeds which come in a host of different colors, depending upon the variety, including white, yellow, black and red. Sesame seeds are highly valued for their high content of sesame oil, “Open sesame,” the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights, reflects the distinguishing feature of the sesame seed pod, which bursts open when it reaches maturity. Sesame originated in India and was mentioned in early Hindu legends. From India, sesame seeds were introduced throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Sesame seeds as well as oil are widely used in different cuisines. Following are the health benefits of Sesame.
- The rich Copper content in Sesame provides relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sesame has a number of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems.
- It contains nutrients that provide structure, strength and elasticity in blood vessels, bones and joints.
- The magnesium content in Sesame supports vascular and respiratory health
- The calcium content in Sesame helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine and PMS
- The zinc content in Sesame prevents osteoporisis and increases bone density.
- Sesame seeds lower Cholesterol
- Sesame prevents the airway spasm in asthma
- It lowers high blood pressure, a contributing factor in heart attack, stroke, and diabetic heart disease
- It prevents the trigeminal blood vessel spasm that triggers migraine attacks
- It restores normal sleep patterns in women who are experiencing unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause
- It protects colon cells from cancer-causing chemicals
- It helps prevent the bone loss that can occur as a result of menopause or certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
- It prevents migraine headaches in those who suffer from them
- It reduce PMS symptoms during the luteal phase (the second half) of the menstrual cycle
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