Sesame oil is one of the natural oils that is in demand on the market today. It is extracted from sesame seeds and is a popular cooking oil. The process of extracting the oil involves several methods: one popular way is through hot water flotation which heats and grinds oilseed kernels. Makers then suspend the kernels in boiling water to let the oil float.
What is also wonderful about sesame is its high tolerance of drought. In Asia, sesame is one of the few crops that does survive the drought season. This phenomenon is common in many countries across Asia.
In terms of health benefits, sesame oil is also popular. It contains nutrients that the human body significantly benefits from. Below are some of the most significant health benefits of sesame oil:
1. Aids the Heart
Your heart is a major organ in the body. However, many people suffer from heart disease because of various reasons. In the US, for example, coronary heart disease is common. Therefore, it is important to take care of the heart to lower the chances of developing heart disease.
Sesame oil helps your heart’s health. It contains high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that are good for the heart. The human body needs these fatty acids because it does not naturally make them. One study showed that high concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids helped lower the risk of stroke and heart disease.
You should include 3-4 tablespoons of sesame oil in your diet daily. This helps you obtain omega-6 regularly.
2. Helps Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis affects the body’s joints and is common in many individuals. It causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the affected areas. This limits or disables a person’s movements.
With the use of sesame oil, you help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. One study showed that topical sesame oil helped alleviate knee osteoarthritis pain in several patients. As a result, patients experienced improvements in their knee function.
3. Is a Rich Source of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that help slow down cell damage caused by oxidative stress. The human body’s cells produce free radicals, which are waste substances. If there is an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals, oxidative stress happens.
The reason for this is when the body, at times, cannot remove these free radicals. Waste substances rise when exposed to smoke or pollution. This increases the harmful effects caused by free radicals.
Sesame oil is rich in sesaminol and sesamol antioxidants. They help the body remove waste substances, especially at times when it cannot eliminate free radicals. As a result, it prevents oxidative stress.
4. Has Anticancer Properties
Antioxidants also have anti-cancer properties. Sesamol is anti-mutagenic in nature, which disrupts mutagenicity in the body. Mutagenicity is the body’s ability to create genetic mutations in cells.
Cancer is an abnormality in cell growth. When cells mutate, they cause damage to themselves because they change their normal structure. This activity leads to developing cancer. However, with sesamol in the body, it helps control the mutation of cells.
5. Helps Treat Burn Wounds
Due to sesame oil’s anti-inflammatory effects, it has the potential to treat burn wounds. It is even an ingredient in ointments for burn wounds. What it does is it shortens the inflammation phase caused by the burn.
Its antioxidant effects also help in burn wounds. The antioxidants in it helps repair damaged tissue caused by the burn. It works by repairing the cells in the affected area. However, this natural alternative treatment may only be effective for less severe burn wounds. It is still best to visit your doctor immediately for severe burns.
6. Is Good for the Skin
Sesame oil is abundant in many nutrients like vitamins A and E and healthy fatty acids. These nutrients help improve your skin’s health. The fatty acids, for example, make your skin soft. Vitamins A and E fight against skin aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
Sesame oil also helps eliminate toxins in the skin. This prevents skin conditions like eczema from developing. Aside from that, the oil also helps with blackheads and pimples. Apply a tiny amount of it on your face and wash it in the morning after waking up.
Use sesame oil for sun protection as well. It resists 30% of ultraviolet rays, reducing the harmful effects of the sun on your skin. However, it does not mean it can substitute sunscreen products for skin protection. It is still best to apply sunscreen when you go out during the day for many hours. Mix a small amount of sesame oil in your sunscreen for extra protection.
7. Helps Improve Sleep
Many individuals are suffering from insomnia. The condition occurs because of stress, changes in sleep schedule, or sleep disturbances like noise. For people who have trouble falling asleep because of noise, they can simply stop the source of the noise. However, for other causes, sleeping is really difficult.
There are many solutions to fall asleep fast and have restful sleep. You take medications to help you. However, you can also use a healthier alternative such as using sesame oil. The oil has the ability to promote good sleeping patterns and provide calmness.
8. Helps Eliminate Dandruff
Dandruff is common in many individuals, especially to people aging 30 years and above. People use anti-dandruff shampoos to get rid of it. However, healthier alternatives are also available such as using sesame oil.
Apply a good amount of the oil onto the scalp daily to eliminate dandruff. The oil has occlusive properties that improve moisture in the skin. This helps relieve itching due to a dry scalp.
Use sesame oil to combat hair loss caused by stress as well. When applied to the scalp, it provides a cooling sensation, which promotes relaxation. If you do this daily, you get rid of hair loss caused by stress.
Storing Sesame Oil
The oil’s average shelf-life is around six months. If you store it in an airtight glass bottle in the fridge, it can last up to a year. So ideally, keeping it in a glass bottle chilled is best.
If you don’t have a glass bottle at home, you can purchase it from a trusted manufacturer. One company you can try is Roetell. They offer glass sesame oil bottles in different sizes. Check out these rounded glass bottles to know more about their products.
Conclusion
The health benefits of sesame oil are amazing. They start from helping eliminate dandruff to improving your heart’s health. If unsure how to use the oil, make sure to consult your doctor, so they can guide you accordingly. So, start maximizing the use of sesame oil now and experience great health benefits!