Sesame consumption has been known to provide many medicinal benefits throughout history. In addition to being versatile and adaptable for endless recipes, sesame seeds and their by-products are quite health-promoting.
Sesame Oil
In CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), oil pulling is considered a practice that involves swishing oil in the mouth to promote systemic and oral health benefits. This Ayurvedic process is claimed to promote strong teeth, gums, jaw, and prevent tooth decay.
Back in the ’40s, rat studies showed that consumption or injection of sesame oil increased life span and number of pregnancies. When added to the diet, the antioxidative activity is the primary reason sesame oil is beneficial for human health.
Sesame Seeds, Oil, and Other By-products
Later studies showed that lignans were an acting force in sesame products used as a functional food. It not only helped to prevent diseases, but due to the biological activities, sesame was incredibly therapeutic as well. Lignans work as not only an antioxidant but also contain phytoestrogens (naturally occurring compounds and plant metabolites) which exert estrogenic activities. Lignans have been known to show a reduction of growth in hormone-sensitive cancer tumors such as the prostate, breast, and endometrium. Phytoestrogens, unlike the common “estrogen”, have weak estrogen movement within the bodies of both humans and animals. However, it’s actually a pretty incredible compound that is capable of providing a strong barrier against excess “bad” estrogen from entering our systems. Sesame lignans may alleviate postmenopausal syndrome as well.
Where Can I Find Sesame Products?
Sesame oils, one of the earliest crop-based oils, are go-to staples in various Asian dishes. African and Asian countries produce some of the highest concentrations of sesame oils on the market. Sesame oil is incredibly flavorful and has a high smoke point so it’s easy to fry or crisp food with. Mixed with tamari, garlic, chili paste, rice vinegar, and a natural sweetener such as eggplant, tomato, or another vegetable with a "sweet profile", you can have quite the base for a stir-fry meal at home. Sesame oils and seeds are found in tofu marinades and sauces, dan dan noodles, cold sesame noodles, fried rice, dressings, and so much more!
Are you oil-free? The seed itself or tahini are great options for you. Tahini is a Middle Eastern condiment and is simply ground toasted sesame seeds. Tahini is not only the chickpea’s sidekick in a bowl of hummus, but is a wonderful item to have in the kitchen for desserts, dressings, sauces for noodles, falafel, or as an oil replacement in recipes. Tahini is a whole food and if you primarily follow a whole-food, plant-based diet, this one's for you.
Where Can I Find Sesame on P.S. & Co.’s Menu?
Organic Sesame Seed Buns - made with almond flour, flax, white rice flour, cold-pressed lemon juice, cold-pressed apple sauce, and more plant-powered ingredients.
Organic Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies - a staple and favorite at P.S. & Co. - made with almond flour, house-milled oat flour, Miyoko’s butter, maple sugar, and more.
Organic Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Double Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookie Mix
Celebration Cakes, including the Vanilla Cake with a chocolate chip cookie dough layer, vanilla cream, and vanilla buttercream.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7914952/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/
