Sesame: benefits, properties and contraindications
The sesame is an herbaceous plant known by the name of Sesamun Indicum. It is also known by the name of sesame, and its seeds are usually widely used in the kitchen for the preparation of a wide variety of recipes; also from a medicinal point of view, thanks to its help in the treatment and prevention of various ailments.
It belongs to the family of the Pedaliáceas, being able to reach up to the meter of height. It is an easily distinguishable plant, since it offers characteristic flowers, of a striking white-pink color.
On a previous occasion we talked to you about the different benefits of sesame seeds, highlighting that they tend to be widely used in the kitchen when added to an interesting diversity of breads, giving them a truly distinctive flavor. They are also used in sweets, highlighting Morocco in that sense for its great diversity of Arabian sweets that contain sesame.
Benefits of sesame
High content of essential fatty acids
The fatty acids (both the Omega 3 Like the omega-6) are especially suitable and indispensable within a healthy and balanced diet, tend to reduce the levels of high cholesterol much more effective than monounsaturated fats.
In fact, sesame or sesame stands out for its high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, thus preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
It helps to purify the organism
Thanks to its high fiber content, sesame is a particularly useful food to purify our body naturally.
Among other aspects, regular consumption in a balanced diet helps normalize the functioning of the intestine, helping not only to purify the body and eliminate toxins.
Rich in minerals
It stands out for its high content of calcium (675 mg), iron (9 mg) and zinc (5 mg). As you know, calcium is essential for bones and teeth, iron helps prevent anemia and zinc prevents male infertility.
Medicinal properties of sesame
Thanks to sesame benefits, we are facing a really interesting option as a treatment in deficiency states such as: bone weakness, osteoporosis, hair loss, weakness of the lungs and cavities.
Help in case of disorders and nervous problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and exhaustion; By helping to improve our mood and raise our mood on the one hand, and help us relax for another.
It also provides circulatory benefits by helping to reduce high cholesterol, prevent myocardial infarction and arterial thrombosis.
Contraindications and side effects of sesame
The consumption of sesame in case of diarrhea is not advised. For the rest, other important contraindications have not been described, so we can consider sesame as a very safe natural product.
As with the contraindications of sesame, no side effects have been described. Of course, it is possible that some people with sesame allergy can not consume it In this sense, allergic people can cause the following symptoms:
- Contact or atopic dermatitis.
- Allergic rhinitis and asthma.
- Urticaria.
- In severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis.
