Keep Yourself Warm these Winters with Sesame Seeds

Heard of til? It might be just another regular ingredient in your kitchen but grandmothers surely believed in its strength. From til ki rewari to til ke ladoo, sesame seeds (til) has been mostly a winter favourite food, especially for those who have a sweet tooth. Grown in tropical regions of the world, a nutty and delicious dose of crunchy sesame seeds are winter’s special ingredient. It adds to warmth in your body in winters.

Here’s how beneficial sesame seeds are:

Sesame seeds are a great source of manganese, copper, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, Vitamin B1, selenium and dietary fiber.

Enhances Hair Growth

Dose up on sesame seeds. It strengthens the roots. These are rich in omega fatty acids which promote hair growth and also repair hair damage. They also aid in moisturising the scalp and improve blood circulation to rejuvenate hair follicles.

Anti-ageing properties

Loaded with antioxidants, til helps reverse signs of ageing and gives you youthful skin.

Improves Bone Health

Another reason for the elderly to make sesame seeds a regular part of their healthy way of eating is bone mineral density. Although osteoporosis is often common in postmenopausal women, it is also a potential problem for older men.

A Relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis

Copper is known for reducing some of the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. The reason for Copper’s effectiveness is the fact that this trace mineral is important in a number of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems. In addition, copper in sesame seeds provides structure, strength and elasticity in blood vessels, bones and joints.

Supports Vascular and Respiratory Health

Magnesium in sesame seeds prevents airway spasms in asthma. It lowers high blood pressure, a contributing factor in heart attack, stroke, and diabetic heart disease. It prevents the trigeminal blood vessel spasm that triggers migraine attacks. It restores normal sleep patterns in women who may experience unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas

• Add sesame seeds into the batter the next time you make homemade bread, muffins or cookies.
• Add flavour to steamed broccoli by sprinkling seeds with lemon juice.
• Spread tahini (sesame paste) on toasted bread and either drizzle with honey for a sweet treat or combine with miso for a savoury snack.
• Combine toasted sesame seeds with rice vinegar, soy sauce and crushed garlic and use them as a dressing for salads, sautéed vegetables or noodles.
• Sprinkle seeds soaked overnight on yoghurt or smoothies.

Footnote

Sesame seeds were one of the first few crops processed for oil as well as one of the earliest condiments. Available in different colours and varieties, sesame seeds are the oldest known oil seeds that exhibit a wide range of health benefits on regular consumption.