Sesame oil has so many health benefits that it can be termed as the Queen of Oils. It has been mentioned in the Vedas as excellent oil for human consumption and to treat various chronic conditions.
This oil is not as popular when compared to its counterparts like olive oil or coconut oil, but once you know the multiple health benefits of this oil, you will make sure that it becomes a part of your daily diet.
1. Oral hygiene
Sesame oil is one of the best oils to provide dental hygiene. Oil pulling with sesame oil helps in fastening of loose teeth, eliminating bleeding gums, and teeth whitening. Furthermore, it prevents plaque formation and reduces the count of Streptococcus mutans in plaque and saliva.
This ability to fight against bacteria is seen particularly in sesame oil. For oil pulling, you should keep a tablespoon of raw sesame oil in your mouth and slowly swish it in the mouth and draw through the teeth for 15-20 minutes.
Thoroughly swish and mix it with saliva so that the enzymes that draw toxins out of the blood are activated. As you continue to swish, the oil gets thinner and whiter. Once this happens, discard the oil from your mouth and rinse the oral cavity thoroughly. You can repeat this process anytime during the day, but before meals.
Not only will your oral hygiene improve, but it will also get you some good sleep and improve your memory.
2. Bone health
Sesamol, a major natural phenolic compound of sesame oil, works at the level of bone marrow to prevent osteoporosis. Adipocytes are cells in the bone marrow that are responsible for maintaining the bone structure.
A study has revealed that sesamol diminished the expression of genes responsible for adipogenesis and increased the expression of osteogenic genes. There are other important minerals, namely copper, zinc, and calcium in this oil that assist in maintaining bone health. Thus, by maintaining an appropriate level of sesame oil in your diet, the rate of bone growth can be increased, and it will also speed up the process of healing and regrowth of bones.
When using the oil for massage, stroke the long limbs up and down. Use circular motions over all joints.
3. Skin
Sesame oil resists 30% of UV rays, while other oils like coconut, peanut, olive, and cottonseed oils block out only about 20%. Thus, it is a better natural UV protector. It nourishes the dry scalp and helps to kill dandruff causing bacteria. It protects the skin from the effects of chlorine in the swimming pool.
When used before and after radiation treatments, sesame seed oil helps neutralize the flood of oxygen radicals caused by these treatments. It can be used to treat diaper rash in babies too.
Sesame oil helps in increasing the skin elasticity and smoothness; it reduces the appearance of aging spots and prevents premature aging.
4. Cardiovascular Effects
Sesame oil is highly beneficial to people who are suffering from or are at risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because it helps in lowering lipid levels and controlling blood pressure.
It is a source of various polyunsaturated fatty acids, including sesamol and sesamin, which help in regulating cholesterol.
Sesame oil this reduces the probability of developing atherosclerosis. Therefore, adding sesame oil to your diet can prevent you from heart attacks and strokes.
5. Prevents Cancer
Sesame oil is a great source of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and linoleic acid in the form of triglycerides. Both of these are known for their anti cancer properties.
Studies have shown that sesame oil can play an important role in preventing colon cancer as it stops the growth of cancer cells and at the same time does not affect the normal cell lining.
Furthermore, we have seen that it even provides maximum UV protection, and hence, might be useful in preventing some type of skin cancer.
After reading these health benefits, make sure to include this uber healthy oil in your everyday diet.
