Tahini is a paste made from grounded, toasted sesame seeds. Tahini can be prepared from sprouted sesame seeds, hulled and unhulled seeds. It can be a little bitter, strong, and earthly. It is mostly used in the Eastern Mediterranean, parts of North Africa, and the South Caucasus. It is also rancidity resistant.
It has a smooth texture similar to butter but a more savory and stronger taste that often tastes bitter. It has several functions apart from culinary, reducing inflammation, and having potentially cancer-fighting effects as listed below;
1. Great Source of Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin B is obtained from Tahini along with other minerals like iron, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, and zinc, which are essential for maintaining metabolic health. The iron prevents anemia hence preventing low red blood cell count, fatigue, and iron deficiency. Besides, Sesame seeds contain plant lignan content, which has shown ability on heart functioning and anticancer agent.
2. Helps Reduce Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Sesame seeds contain sesamin and sesamolin, found to have antithrombotic properties. The properties help prevent cardiovascular death and acute coronary syndrome. Sesame seeds contain antihypertensive properties that are essential for lowering blood pressure. Sesame seeds contain phytosterol nutrients that have an effect on arterial health, hormonal level, and cholesterol levels. It can also be used to treat arteriosclerosis, characterized by fatty build-up within arteries.
3. Help Balance Hormones
Tahini contains phytoestrogens, which contain estrogen that attaches to the body. Estrogens help lower the risk of osteoporosis, balance hormones naturally, and help maintain strong bones. Dietary estrogens help in hormonal adjustment during the transition from the last menstrual cycle and end fertility.
4. Helps Improve Skin Health
Amino acids, vitamin E, and fatty acids are contained in sesame seeds, which help in skin cell rejuvenation. Sesame oil is used to treat burns, sensitiveness, and skin wounds. It also contains zinc that is responsible for tissue repair. It is a natural antifungal agent and natural antibacterial which does not block the pores and kills bacteria. Help reduce skin inflammation and keep it moist. Vitamin E contained in Tahini is important for eliminating skin wrinkles and makes the skin look bright.
5. Boosts Nutrients Absorption
Sesame seeds contain nutrients that lead to enhanced vitamin E and elevated plasma gamma-tocopherol, which help in preventing oxidative stress, chronic disease development, and prevent inflammation. They help boost the absorption of protective fat-soluble compounds, which helps prevent cancer and heart disease.
6. High in Healthy Fats and Amino Acids
Sesame seeds have high oil content responsible for essential minerals and fats. Tahini fats are important in appetite control and feeling satisfied between-meal hence responsible for weight loss. Tahini has high monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help lower harmful cholesterol levels. It contains unsaturated fat that regulates movement and good for stomach pain.
7. Rich in Antioxidants
Tahini contains lignans from antioxidants, which reduce the risk of diseases and prevent free radical damage in the body. Lignan protects the liver from free radical damage and disease risk cancer. Antioxidant nutrients help balance the level of the hormone and support the immune system. They have a positive impact on cholesterol levels and oxidative stress in osteoarthritis patients.
8. Help Decrease of Certain Diseases
Consuming sesame seeds help decrease the risk of certain diseases such as heart disease and type two diabetes. Monounsaturated fats rich diets are functional to decrease the risk of developing type two diabetes. Sesamol and sesamin lignans in Tahini protect against hormone-related cancer when bound with estrogen, a structure in lignans.
9. May have antibacterial properties
Sesame seeds contain strong antioxidants, which have led to antibacterial properties. Sesame oil is used for wounds associated with diabetes as a home remedy; it also cures wounds. It also has a high capacity for drug-resistant bacterial.
10. Contains anti-inflammatory compounds
Tahini is highly anti-inflammatory. Sesamin seeds ease pain related to injury, lung disease, ease inflammation, and rheumatoid. Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, which can be treated by sesamin seeds.
11. Strengthens central nervous system
Tahini contains dementia compounds that help decrease the risk of developing neurodegenerative and improve the health of the brain. These compounds help prevent the brain from forming beta-amyloid plaques, which can cause Alzheimer’s disease. They help mitigate the harmful effects of aluminum toxicity in the brain. Besides protecting nerve cells from getting free radical damage.
12. Food additive
Tahini has a hummus ingredient that is added to various foods. Sesame seeds are grounded to prepare salad dressings, used in the baking of cookies, preparing soup. Creamy Tahini is swirled on top of brownies to add a flavored layer. Tahini is also packed with cilantro, parsley, to prepare a flavorful herb sauce. Tahini oil may separate during storage; it can be stirred back in on serving. It is recommended to store it upside down in a refrigerator.
13. Anticancer effects
Sesame seeds contain antioxidants that cause the death of lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer cells. They decelerate the tumor growth and promote the death of cancer cells hence protecting from free radical damage; this decreases the risk of suffering from cancer diseases.
14. Protect Liver and Kidney function
Tahini contains compounds that may help protect the kidney and liver from damage. High consumption of sesame oil improves kidney and liver function; it also protects liver cells from toxic metals. It decreases fat production and increases fat burning hence reducing the risk of fatty liver disease.
15. Source of Fibre
Unhulled sesame seeds are a rich source of fiber. Regularly eating sesame seeds increases fiber intake. Fiber is responsible for digestive health, and it may also play a role in the risky reduction of obesity, diabetes type 2, heart attack, and certain cancer diseases.
16. Helps in Arthritis
Powdered sesame seeds do not have side effects related to Tylenol on the user and help reduce pain. Tahini contains high magnesium content, which maintains healthy bones, decreased the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, and greater bone density.
Useful in maintaining healthy hair
Iron and calcium minerals contained in Tahini are vital for hair health. They provide healthy growth of hair and prevent hair loss. It also helps to get a shiny and healthy appearance.
