Sesame oil is a vegetable oil produced from sesame seeds. It originates from the plant Sesamumindicum. The seed is pressed in order to get light yellow oil with healthy unsaturated fatty acids including the linoleic, palmitic, oleic and steric acid. These fatty acids are easily absorbed by the body. The oil also is rich in vitamins A, B and E. Sesame oil is more stable oil than other unrefined oils. However, it is limited and during the process of extraction, processing and storing exposure to light and high temperatures should be avoided, in order to minimize the loss of nutrients due to oxidation. Sesame oil has been used as a healing oil thousands of years ago.
When we talk about the history of sesame oil, we should look back to that of the sesame. Sesame was originally called benne by Chinese people. Through some biological studies in China, people found the seeds of ancient buried in Zhejiang, China about 5000 years ago. So it may be originated from this Asian country. Some ancient Chinese books also recorded the existence of sesame oil. But some archaeological studies in the Middle East have revealed that sesame oil was produced as early as more than 3000 years ago in India and Persia. However, some people hold the view that it was firstly found in Africa, and later it was introduced to India and China. The production of sesame oil has a long and glamorous history as well. Nowadays, the oil is produced in factories and its production becomes more and more efficient.
Nutrition and health benefits:
• Sesame oil has high concentration of calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper. They have vital role in the mineralization of bones, the production of red blood cells, enzyme synthesis, hormone production, as well as the regulation of heart and skeleton muscle activities.
• It is a great source of vitamin B Complex, such as niacin, folic acid, thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) and riboflavin.
• Niacin is a vitamin B Complex abundantly present in sesame. It helps lowering the level of LDL cholesterol in blood.
• It is a great source of proteins in diet rich in amino acids, essential for growth, especially for children.
• It has several health benefits, nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins of crucial importance for people’s health.
• It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, that help lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol
• Sesame oil has an intense aroma and makes salads tasty.
• it is used in creams and soaps due to its moisturizing activity.
• sesame oil is a good olive oil substitute and is also used for massage.
USES:
• lowers blood pressure;
• prevents cancer;
• prevents diabetes;
• is good for bones health;
• regulates digestive system;
• helpsrheumatoidarthritis;
• improves respiratory system, prevents asthma;
• it is recommendable to oil pull sesame oil for oral health;
• reduces PMS symptoms;
• lowers cholesterol;
• it is used in cosmetics.
