Humanity has known about the beneficial properties of sesame seeds since ancient times, it does not lose its popularity to this day, it is actively used for medicinal purposes and for cooking. various dishes, therefore, consider the benefits and harms of sesame seeds, their composition, calorie content, as well as proper use and storage at home.

What is useful sesame? The composition and calorie content of sesame seeds

Sesame seeds have a high nutritional value, they contain many different vitamins and microelements necessary for human life, which is why they are so popular as a healthy addition to many dishes and pastries.

Sesame seed contains vitamins such as E, A, B1, B6, B9, as well as a high content of trace elements such as calcium (daily requirement per 100 grams of seeds), magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper and iron. Also, these seeds are high in useful amino acids, proteins and fats. Practically all useful trace elements that are part of the sesame seed are easily absorbed by the human body.

Note: most of the sesame seeds, which are presented in many stores, are peeled seeds, which contain less nutrients, especially calcium (almost 10 times less than unpeeled ones).

Calorie content of sesame seeds is 580 calories per 100 grams of product.

An interesting fact about sesame seeds: sesame seeds contain sesamol (a powerful natural antioxidant, by the way, because sesame has a second name - sesame), which is practically not found in other plants and products and is useful for the human body, while thanks to it, the well-known sesame oil can store and preserve all beneficial features for many years (up to 8-10 years).

Sesame comes in many shades, but the most popular are white and black sesame. Black sesame seeds practically do not differ from white ones in their useful properties, the difference is only in taste (black is more saturated with nutty shades).

Medicinal and beneficial properties of sesame seeds for the human body


  1. Eating sesame promotes rejuvenation of the whole organism, favorably affects the health and beauty of the skin and hair.
  2. Sesame seeds, and especially the oil from them, is widely used in folk medicine in the treatment of colds, as well as in diseases of the respiratory tract.
  3. An unusual useful property of sesame (according to Avicenna) is its effect on the vocal cords, with regular use of these seeds, the voice will be sonorous and clear.
  4. The beneficial substances that make up sesame seeds help lower blood cholesterol levels, and also have a general cleansing effect on the entire human body.
  5. The high content of antioxidants helps protect the body from cancer.
  6. Sesame seeds are useful for exhaustion of the body and heart disease.
  7. Sesame seed is useful in the fight against osteoporosis, helps to strengthen bone tissue in the human body.
  8. Useful components of sesame seeds have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system.

The benefits of sesame for women


The benefits of sesame seeds for the body of women and girls are quite large, they help prevent diseases of the mammary glands (in particular mastopathy), they treat mastitis. No less useful is sesame oil, especially for cosmetic purposes: it is used for massage, for the preparation of various masks for the face, body and hair (strengthens and maintains healthy skin and hair).

An interesting fact about sesame seeds: sesame oil has the property of blocking ultraviolet radiation, so it is used to make suntan creams and oils.

Sesame seed is good for the health of the reproductive system of women and men, and a mixture with poppy seeds, flax and sesame seeds has been used since ancient times as an effective aphrodisiac.

During pregnancy, sesame should be taken in minimal amounts and with caution, as it increases the ability of the uterus to contract, which can lead to miscarriage. At breastfeeding Sesame will be useful due to the high content of calcium, which is necessary for the baby to grow and strengthen the body.

Harm and contraindications of sesame seed for use


  1. Individual intolerance to sesame seeds is possible.
  2. Sesame seeds can irritate the gastric mucosa, so it is better not to take them fresh on an empty stomach. It is easier to digest roasted seeds or as part of dishes.
  3. It is better to refuse the use of sesame seeds for people who have problems with poor blood clotting, as well as when there are kidney stones.
  4. It is not recommended to give sesame seeds to children under 3 years old, since their body is not able to completely break down and absorb some of the fats that make up these healthy seeds at that age.

How to eat sesame seeds?


Sesame seeds have a wide range of culinary uses. They can be used to make salads, meat dishes, sweets, as well as in pastries. Sesame seeds are used to make sauces, pastes, as well as the widely known and beloved hummus in Israel. These seeds are most popular in Eastern and Asian countries, where they are used in the preparation of any kind of dishes, from sushi, noodles and salads to sweets (for example, halva).

An interesting solution to using sesame seeds is to make sesame salt (a mixture of roasted ground sesame seeds with salt), which is healthier and can be used in many dishes instead of regular salt.


How many sesame seeds can you eat per day?

With normal nutrition healthy person it is enough to eat up to three teaspoons of sesame seeds per day (up to 30 grams of sesame seeds) in order to fully experience its beneficial properties and not exceed the norm in its use.

How to store sesame seeds at home?


Raw sesame seeds have the greatest useful properties, but at the same time they are stored worse than more dried fried seeds and sesame oil. It is better to store sesame seeds in tightly closed glass containers in the refrigerator, but no more than 2 months.

Note: Since sesame seeds cannot be stored at home for a long time, it is better to buy them in small quantities as needed, especially since they can be easily found in grocery stores and supermarkets and the price for them is not high.

In conclusion to the article, it can be noted that sesame seed useful for human health, while sesame seeds have few contraindications and a lot of useful and medicinal properties, the main thing is to know the measure when eating it. Your feedback on the benefits and harmful properties sesame seeds leave in the comments to the article and share it in in social networks if it was helpful to you.

Sesame, also known as sesame, is one of the most ancient oil crops and is increasingly being cultivated as a unique plant, the seed of which is used in many areas of production.

But most of all, it is valued in cooking and even in medicine for the great benefits of sesame for the body, as well as a spicy taste for various dishes.

From this article you will learn:

Sesame in botany: properties and chemical composition

How does sesame grow

Sesame is an annual plant and blooms mainly in the summer months. So, the first June flowers of the plant bear fruit after a couple of months of flowering. Sesame seeds themselves are located in elongated polyhedral boxes.

Useful properties of sesame seeds

Sesame seed oil in cosmetology

Often, sesame oil is also found in cosmetic preparations (for example, in creams). Due to its moisturizing and softening properties, sesame oil has become a natural favorite for many women. An excellent antioxidant due to the presence of vitamin E. In addition, this oil is universal for various types of massage, as well as natural make-up removal. Sesame oil is also used in home cosmetics.

In cooking

In cooking, sesame is best known as a seasoning: it is customary to sprinkle dried seeds on many bakery products. In Asian countries, sesame is cultivated as good ingredient for desserts: on the basis of sesame seeds, such well-known oriental sweets like tahini halva, gozinaki, hummus, etc. Sesame seeds soaked and crushed in water are also used to produce a medicinal plant. sesame milk that can fully replace dairy products of animal origin.

Sesame storage and preservation of its beneficial properties

In order for sesame seeds to give all their nutritional and useful material, and did not lose them during processing, it is important not to subject them to prolonged roasting, boiling or soaking. Slightly calcining the seeds over low heat is recommended only to eliminate anti-nutrients that prevent the full absorption of calcium.


It is recommended to store sesame seeds unpeeled in an airtight and dry container (preferably in a dark place). If you decide to extend the shelf life of already peeled seeds, they should be stored in the refrigerator. So sesame retains its properties up to 5-6 months. Sesame oil is stored much longer (the shelf life of the oil is approximately several years).

Contraindications for use or possible harm to sesame

According to statistics, in sensitive people, sesame seeds cause allergic reactions much more often than other types of seeds, so sesame seeds should be consumed with extreme caution and in small quantities.

Sesame is contraindicated in persons prone to thrombosis, urolithiasis. Sesame is contraindicated in people with a high content of calcium in the body, as well as those who follow a diet with the minimum amount fat in foods.

It is strictly forbidden to use sesame seeds together with substances such as oxalic acid, aspirin and estrogen derivatives. The combination of these products can lead to the deposition of insoluble compounds in the human kidney, thereby causing dangerous diseases.

In order for healing sesame seeds to bring only benefits, remember a few basic rules for their use, as well as the measure of use and the quality of the sesame itself.

Stay healthy and learn more about medicinal properties sesame from the articles of our site!

Try these sesame seeds, the quality is guaranteed!

Sesame is a type of herbaceous annual plant that produces small seeds with a slightly spicy, velvety flavor. A lot of seeds are "packed" in a small elongated box, which opens like a pod. Sesame seeds range in color from white, light hazel to black.

There are about 10 different varieties of sesame that came to other cultures from Africa and the East, but the Indian sesame (Sesamum indicum) turned out to be the most common and useful for humans.

Since the discovery, sesame has been actively grown in the countries of India, the Far East, Transcaucasia, Middle and East Asia and others. In Russia, sesame gained popularity relatively recently, but has already found its fans.

Cooking, medicine and even cosmetology are the key areas of use for these unusual seeds. Sesame, another name for sesame, is translated from Assyrian as "oil plant", which explains the first use of sesame seeds, namely the production of oils.

There are a large number of types of sesame with a grain color from white to black.

This ancient seasoning was highly valued in Babylon, and was considered one of the most important ingredients in the elixir of immortality. Even in the Middle Ages, many women ate a spoonful of sesame a day to maintain their health and beauty.

Back in the Middle Ages, the famous Persian physician and philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina) noted in his manuscripts that if you often use sesame seeds raw or boiled, your voice becomes clearer and richer, belching disappears, and tumors will decrease or completely disappear with time. He also advised applying a gauze bandage soaked in sesame and rose oil to the head to get rid of migraines.

Useful properties of sesame

Sesame is widely used in the manufacture of bakery products and oriental sweets.

The range of use of sesame seeds is quite extensive, but the most famous is baking and the preparation of oriental sweets, such as gozinaki or halva. Many bakery products become tender spicy taste while being sprinkled with sesame seeds.

The seeds are very rich in carbohydrates, vegetable proteins and antioxidants, and also abound in fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus and other minerals that strengthen bones, teeth and hair.

Among the vitamins in sesame are A, B, E, C and PP. With their help, sesame improves vision, cell regeneration, protects the receptive psyche from stress, normalizes blood clotting and regulates the functioning of the external nervous system.

As for sesame oil, it is widely used in folk medicine and ranks third in terms of the concentration of useful properties (after almond and pistachio). It has a beneficial effect on the digestive system due to some organic acids. And the presence of polyunsaturated acids helps to reduce cholesterol.

Rare antioxidants such as sesamol and sesaminol are considered the secret to the long shelf life of sesame oil (up to eight years) and the seeds themselves (up to 3 months).

Sesame oil ranks third in terms of the presence of nutrients and properties

In medicine and cosmetic purposes, sesame seed oil is used to cleanse and moisturize the skin, as well as for soothing massage. It is literally indispensable for evenly warming up the muscles and pacifying the nerves, it perfectly relaxes, and also easily drives away the tension accumulated in the muscle tissues throughout the day.

As a rule, healing of scratches, corns, bruises or minor burns also occurs much faster after a massage session with this oil.

Sesame oil will help girls who are unsure of their appearance to eliminate minor imperfections of the skin of the face: narrow pores, thereby reducing the number of acne and rashes, and give facial features a natural even shade.

Also, when applied externally, sesame oil helps to relieve abdominal pain in intestinal colic.

Many doctors recommend resorting to these oils if the patient is suffering from hyperfunction. thyroid gland or joint pain. Sesame oil also has a beneficial effect on human health in case of inflammation of the gallbladder, when it is necessary to painlessly remove stones from the kidneys, as well as stop internal bleeding.

As observations have shown, the best result for medical purposes can be achieved if, in the treatment of the digestive tract, drink warm sesame oil 3 times a day (half or one tablespoon). It relieves outbreaks of stomach ulcers and constipation, helps with gastritis, and if you brew and mix fresh sesame seeds with honey, you can cope with diarrhea.

To carry out a total cleansing of the body of toxins and lose extra pounds, you need to drink carefully ground sesame seeds three times a day. For this simple recipe a glass of water will require only one tablespoon of whole seeds.

If you're worried about stubborn gum disease, cavities, or an aching toothache, try a regular mouthwash with sesame seed oil. The optimal procedure time will be no more than 3 minutes, but the effect will manifest itself in a couple of weeks. However, it is better to spit out the oil itself after rinsing.

Grated sesame seeds are used to remove toxins from the body and for weight loss.

Sesame seeds themselves can help in the fight against colds or asthma complications. For example, sesame oil heated in a water bath is rubbed into the chest, which greatly facilitates breathing.

In addition, sesame is among the most potent aphrodisiacs. A mixture of linseed, poppy and sesame seeds increases sexual activity and has a huge effect on sexuality, regardless of gender.

As for medical cosmetics, sesame oil has found its main calling in preparations or protective creams against ultraviolet rays.

Not only the sesame fruits themselves are useful for a person. With dandruff, scalp irritation or eczema, a hot decoction of sesame leaves will cope, it will add softness to the hair and allow it to grow back much faster.

Harm of sesame

Even if we take into account the impressive amount of useful properties and chemicals contained in sesame seeds, these seeds should be consumed in moderation.

Sesame contains a large amount of fat and calories, so a large amount of sweets with sesame seeds can spoil the figure.

The result of nausea or thirst may be excessive sensitivity of the esophageal mucosa or eating sesame seeds on an empty stomach. It is for this reason that sesame seeds are first roasted or eaten in combination with honey, which in addition will facilitate their effective absorption.

Sesame is known to reduce appetite, but large portions of its seeds, especially in sweets, will only worsen the figure. If you purposefully overdo it with sesame desserts, you can quickly gain weight, because, like other vegetable seeds, they are high in calories and fat.

You should not abuse the volume of sesame seeds eaten - 2-3 tablespoons per day will be more than enough for the normal functioning of the body.

Contraindications

The antioxidants in sesame stimulate the flow of blood, so women's periods are faster and less painful. However, this property can be a potential threat to the health of a pregnant woman and her fragile fetus, despite the beneficial effects of calcium on the bone marrow. Expectant mothers should avoid extra servings of sesame seeds.

If you have an increased risk of blood clots, urolithiasis or high blood clotting, it is better to refrain from eating sesame seeds.

You should take a responsible approach to the issue of choosing sesame seeds. First of all, they should be dry, crumbly and without a bitter taste in the mouth.

We can safely say that sesame deservedly received the status of an ancient remedy and an excellent spice for many desserts, cereals, salads and baked goods. It gives dishes a delicate spicy taste and nutty aroma.

Thanks to a successful combination of vitamins, acids and other useful substances, sesame oil and roasted sesame seeds are stored for a long time and have positive effects on human health. With the measured use of sesame seeds in the right dosages, you can improve your health, cope with depression and restore the natural beauty of the body.

Using sesame, you can not only diversify your daily diet, but also get rid of many diseases in a short time, and improve the general condition of the body. It is equally useful both in the form of grains and in the form of oil. Therefore, in this article we will analyze the benefits and harms of sesame seeds, how to take this product, and when it is better to refuse to use it.

Chemical composition and calorie content of sesame seeds

Sesame seed is quite high in calories, as half of it consists of fat. 570 kcal per 100 grams of product. The seeds contain a high amount of calcium, which is much better absorbed by the body than what we get from dairy products.

Another useful component of sesame seeds is sesamin. The substance is used for preventive purposes, since it effectively removes cholesterol.

In addition, the composition includes:

  • lecithin;
  • tocopherol;
  • phytosterol;
  • retinol;
  • fitin;
  • B vitamins;
  • minerals;
  • vitamin C;
  • phosphorus;
  • vitamin PP;
  • magnesium;
  • potassium;
  • iron.

Sesame seeds - benefits for the body

Useful properties of sesame seeds are noted in the following:

  • Able to improve the general condition of curls and nails.
  • Normalize the composition of the blood and the balance of amino acids.
  • They contribute to the activation of bone growth, strengthen the frame, so they can be considered an indispensable product for the child's body.
  • They serve as prevention of joint diseases and osteoporosis.
  • Lower cholesterol levels and help build muscle mass.
  • They increase immunity, which is why the seeds must be eaten during pneumonia, with colds and asthma.
  • Maintain healthy mammary glands.
  • Increase sexual desire when used with flax seeds.
  • They negate various redness and rashes, and even out the color of the skin on the face when added to the composition of ointments and creams.
  • They restore tissues after sunburn, being part of moisturizing and rejuvenating cosmetics.

The seeds of the plant are allowed to be taken orally, using both raw grains and the oil obtained from them. The second has found wide application in cooking and cosmetology. If you start using sesame seeds for diabetes, you may eventually be able to completely abandon the medication.

For men

Particular attention to sesame seeds should be paid to the representatives of the stronger sex who are engaged in bodybuilding. Due to the large amount of protein, they accompany the build-up of muscle mass, and also help to recover from strong physical exertion.

Such an oilseed culture as sesame has a long history. Its former names are known to us from fairy tales - remember "simsim" and "sesame"? Sesame seeds are incredibly useful, although not everyone knows about it. Today they are used both in cooking and in cosmetology or medicine. Let's figure out how useful sesame seed is, and how you can take it.

A plant such as sesame was first seen in South Africa. Somewhat later, its cultivation began in the Far East, Central Asia and India. By the way, abroad the scope of sesame is much wider than here. In Russia, it is mostly used for the preparation of desserts: kozinaki, halva, grillage, and so on, sprinkling muffins. But not everyone knows how great the benefits of these nondescript seeds are, and if they knew, they would probably use it much more widely.

The benefits of sesame seeds are largely due to its rich composition. Half of it is valuable sesame oil. It also contains sesamin, which can prevent numerous diseases, including significantly reducing the risk of cancer. This component reduces blood cholesterol, as well as beta-sitosterol, which is also abundant in sesame.

Present in the composition of vitamins (A, E, C, group B), minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus). They are contribute to the overall health of the body, increase immunity. Other valuable substances in the composition of sesame seeds are lecithin and phytin, normalizing mineral balance. Phytosterol is also useful, which increases immunity and significantly reduces susceptibility to colds. Thanks to him many times reduced risk of atherosclerosis, a with excess weight this component helps to deal with it more effectively.

Substance thiamine in the composition normalizes metabolism, improves the functioning of the central nervous system. Vitamin PP normalizes digestion and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of each organ of the gastrointestinal tract. 100 grams of sesame seeds contains 560-570 kcal.

Types and features of choice

You need to know that sesame is black and white. The latter also includes yellow, beige, golden, brown seeds. They differ from each other in the following characteristics:

  • Taste. Black sesame is more bitter, and it is better to use it for cooking rice, salads, vegetables. White seeds are more combined with muffins and sweets.
  • Aroma. In dark varieties, it is more pronounced, in light varieties it is softer.
  • Compound. Black seeds contain more lignans and fetosteropols, antioxidants, vitamins A and B. In turn, white seeds contain more vitamins C, E and E, protein and fat.

Chinese experts consider black sesame more useful due to the nutrients in the composition. They help fight the deficiency of certain substances in the body, provoked by stress or age-related changes. Also, black sesame seeds are more valued by the Indian science of Ayurveda.

Generally speaking, white and black sesame seeds are approximately equal in useful properties. Therefore, when choosing, consider for which dish you plan to use the seeds or the deficiency of which components in the body you want to fill.

When choosing seeds, pay attention that they are dry and freely scattered over the package. It is better to buy them by weight or at least in transparent bags. If sesame has a bitter taste, this indicates it poor quality or corruption, and it is better to buy sesame seeds elsewhere.

Useful properties of sesame seeds

When eaten The benefits of sesame seeds are as follows:

  • Restoration of the necessary content of minerals thanks to phytin.
  • Cleansing the body of toxins and toxins due to the laxative effect.
  • Normalization of metabolism and a decrease in the likelihood of obesity due to betasitosterol.
  • Replenishment of calcium deficiency in the body (100 grams of the product contains about 1475 mg of this substance).
  • Normalization of the digestive system (thanks to vitamin PP and other substances).
  • Normalization of blood pressure.
  • Scattering of fatty plaques on the walls of veins and capillaries through the substance of phytosterol. These plaques can lead to the formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels, the development of atherosclerosis.
  • Reducing the likelihood of osteoporosis and reducing the risk of joint diseases due to the large amount of calcium.
  • Improving the functioning of the nervous system due to thiamine.
  • The substance riboflavin has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system.

The beneficial properties of raw sesame seeds make it possible to use them for the treatment and prevention of pneumonia, hypertension, diseases of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and thyroid gland. They also reduce the likelihood of cancer, accelerate the flow of blood to the pelvic organs.

In traditional medicine, oil squeezed from sesame seeds is popular. It is used to treat various skin diseases. It is added to ointments and emulsions, used for patches.

If you mix sesame seeds with linseed or poppy seeds, you will get a strong aphrodisiac that will affect both men and women.

Sesamin in the composition of seeds refers to lingans - antioxidants that help fight toxins and various carcinogens. This is a unique component found only in sesame seeds. This antioxidant slows down the aging process, helps to resist cancer cells, so it is often included in pharmacological preparations.

Sesame is also popular among athletes. This is explained by the high protein content (20%), which is perfectly digestible and allows you to build muscle mass. This protein belongs to the vegetable, respectively, it does not wash out calcium and other important minerals from the blood.

Benefits of Sesame Seeds for Women

The benefits of sesame for women are especially great. It helps to reduce the risk of mastopathy, regulates and balances hormonal levels.

In addition, sesame can be safely used for cosmetic purposes. Sesame oil is perfect for this. It helps to make the skin fresher and more elastic, relieves irritation, eliminates fine wrinkles, and prevents the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. This product is perfect for moisturizing hair.

The benefits of sesame for weight loss

Despite the high calorie content, Sesame seed is actively used for weight loss. Lignans in its composition help increase the activity of certain liver enzymes responsible for the breakdown of fatty acids. Therefore, sesame seed powder is quite often added to dietary supplements for weight loss and supplements for bodybuilders. But it is not at all necessary to use them - you can get the maximum benefit simply by eating the seeds.

Another weight-loss benefit of sesame seeds is to control appetite and prevent overeating. It also reduces cravings for sweets and other harmful substances, remarkably saturates, speeds up metabolic processes and normalizes blood sugar levels. All this has a very beneficial effect on the figure.

As we can see, the benefits and harms of sesame seeds are incomparable - there are much more useful properties. However, there are some contraindications to consider.

Contraindications to the use of sesame seeds

Despite all the benefits, sesame seeds can be harmful. This is possible in the following cases:

  • For allergies, which is accompanied by bouts of coughing and other negative manifestations (rash, redness on the skin).
  • It is not recommended to give sesame seeds to children aged 1-5 years., since their body is not yet able to fully absorb and break down fats.
  • Sesame oil tends to lower blood pressure, which is good for hypertensive patients, but bad for hypotensive patients.
  • Not recommended consume seeds pregnant in the third trimester, since a high concentration of calcium and other substances can provoke premature birth.

Also, contraindications for treatment with the use of sesame seeds usually include high blood clotting (exceeding the norm), thrombosis in the vessels, and urolithiasis.

How to take sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are, rather, not a medicine, but a healthy food product, so there are no clear rules regarding its use. You can include it in your diet however you want. They can be used to prepare various dishes: desserts, smoothies, cocktails, muffins, salads, vegetables, cereals and so on.

To get the maximum of useful properties from sesame, you need to prepare it for further use. You can use one of the following methods:

  • Soak for a couple of hours, and then cook in accordance with the selected recipe.
  • Reheat by roasting, but do not fry, otherwise all the useful substances will be lost. How to do it correctly is described below.
  • Crush or grind if you need to add it to the serving dish.

Raw sesame seeds are sometimes indicated., for example, if you need to sprinkle it on a salad or put it on pastries. To preserve all the valuable properties, try to add yourself closer to the end of the cooking process.

If the seeds are bought raw, then often they are fried in a pan (dry). Roasting should not last more than a few minutes, and the seeds should be stirred regularly during this time. As a result, they should acquire a pleasant aroma and become darker. However, keep in mind that if the seeds become completely dark and have an unpleasant odor, then you burned them. They cannot be used because useful product they have become extremely harmful.

A convenient way to consume seeds is prepared on their basis. a paste called tahini. It is considered a healthier alternative to the popular peanut butter and many other nut-based spreads. And on the basis of the same tahini, many other interesting dishes are prepared. Also, this paste can be bought ready-made - it can replace the seeds directly.

Sesame seed is a product with a huge number of useful properties. It has found wide application in cooking and medicine. Seeds are included interesting recipes, and, using it to prepare certain dishes, you will get not only an interesting taste, but also considerable benefits for your own health.

About the benefits of sesame seeds on video