Sesame seed butter, or also called tahini, is a paste that is made from toasted and ground sesame seeds. We have included it in our list of the best alternatives to peanut butter, as it is packed with flavor, nutrients, and it also provides a fun way to jazz up different dishes. In addition to that, tahini is also a great alternative for those that have nut allergies.
Most of the time, sesame seed butter is used in the cuisines of the Middle East, Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, and the South Caucasus. It can be used as a dip, a bread spread, and as well as an important ingredient when making hummus. If you are interested to learn more about it, you can read our Guide to Tahini (Sesame Seed Butter).
If you are wondering about the good things that you can get from incorporating sesame seed butter into your diet, you’re in the right place. Read on as we’re giving you the benefits of sesame seed butter.
Sesame seed butter is highly nutritious.
This type of butter is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. One tablespoon of sesame seed butter has more than 10% of the daily value for some nutrients. It is a great source of manganese and phosphorus, which play important roles in bone health. Aside from that, it is also rich in thiamine or vitamin B1 and as well as vitamin B6, which are both essential for energy production.
Around 50% of the fat that sesame seed butter contains come from monounsaturated fatty acids. These have anti-inflammatory properties and are linked to a decreased risk of chronic disease.
Sesame seed butter is rich in antioxidants.
Sesame seed butter has lignans, which are antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage in the body, helping you reduce the risk of disease. Free radicals, when present in high levels in the body, can damage tissues and contribute to the development of diseases like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Sesame seed butter may have antibacterial properties.
Due to the powerful antioxidants that it contains, sesame seed butter may also have antibacterial properties. Based on a study, researchers discovered that sesame seed extract is effective against 77% of the drug-resistant bacterial samples they tested. These effects are thought to be due to the healthy fats and antioxidants that they contain.
Sesame seed butter may help strengthen your central nervous system.
Sesame seed butter has compounds that may help improve brain health and decrease the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. Based on studies, the components of sesame seeds have been shown to protect the human brain and nerve cells from free radical damage. However, this is done only in test-tube and animal research. More research in humans is needed to confirm its effects on brain health.
Sesame seed butter can help protect liver and kidney function.
Sesame seed butter has compounds that may help protect your kidneys and liver from damage. This is essential as these organs are responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body. Based on a study, 46 people that have type 2 diabetes found that those who consumed sesame seed oil in 90 days had improved kidney and liver function. There was also a study that found that sesame seed consumption promoted better liver function, increasing its fat burning and decreasing fat production. This, in turn, can decrease the risk of fatty liver disease.
Sesame seed butter may help fight inflammation.
Inflammation is the cause of most chronic diseases. If a poor diet can cause it, then a good diet can surely fight it. Food is the top lever for change in an inflammatory state. When you eat more antioxidant and polyphenol-rich foods, it can help combat free radicals, which can calm inflammation.
Tahini has antioxidants called sesamolin and sesamin that can help fight inflammation. There’s a study done on patients with knee osteoarthritis who consumed 40 grams of sesame seeds a day. They saw improvements in their knee pain and inflammatory biomarkers. There were also lab studies that have shown that antioxidants in sesame seeds inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines.
Sesame seed butter is a good non-dairy source of calcium.
When it comes to calcium, most people think about drinking milk. However, this is quite difficult for those who are living a dairy-free life. But aside from milk, there are many other sources of calcium that are plant-based, including sesame seed butter. Two tablespoons of it can provide you with almost 15% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.
Sesame seed butter can provide you glowing skin.
If you are looking to get glowing skin, then incorporating sesame seed butter into your diet is great. All of the good fats that it contains boost the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the body, including vitamin E and vitamin A. Both of these vitamins are important for preventing the visible signs of aging. It also contains zinc, which is a building block of all the essential collagen for glowing skin. It is what keeps the skin supple and elastic.
These are some of the benefits that you can get from sesame seed butter. It is a delicious way to boost your vitamin and mineral intake. It is also essential to keep in mind that all the great benefits that it provides are within the setting of a healthy diet. Therefore, along with incorporating sesame seed butter into your diet, you also need to eat whole foods and minimize your intake of processed foods and junk foods. We hope this helped you learn more about the benefits of sesame seed butter.