How to properly use sesame for weight loss without harming your health

• What is its use
• Medicinal properties
• Mechanism of weight loss
• Contraindications
• Recommendations
• Methods of application
• Recipes

The seeds of this plant are used for food as a seasoning or for decorating baked goods. Oil is squeezed out of it and milk is prepared. In the countries of Southern Africa and the East, it is widespread, as it is valued for its medicinal properties. Recently, people in Europe have taken a closer look at it, using it not only in the kitchen, but also in cosmetology and dietetics. If you like spices, you can try using sesame for weight loss - it is said to help you lose weight without any harm to your health.

What is its use

Sesame is an oil plant, the seeds of which have medicinal properties due to their chemical composition, enriched with all kinds of biologically active substances. When deciding to lose weight with their help, it would be a good idea to find out what exactly the benefits are for the human body. This will help predict the results.

Chemical composition:

• vitamins: A, E, B;
• fatty acids (essential monounsaturated): linoleic, oleic, etc.;
• cellulose;
• lecithin;
• trace elements: calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, selenium;
• sesamin (sesamol) - phytoestrogen, antioxidant and fat burner;
• phytin (inositol hexaphosphoric acid).

Sesame in cosmetology

An extract from the seeds of this plant is used in the production of professional cosmetic products. It is not necessary to buy expensive creams and masks; the same effect that you get in a cosmetologist’s office can be achieved at home using sesame seeds.

• Masks for the body and face will help remove flaking and dry skin; regular use in combination with other care methods prevents sagging skin;
• Compositions based on sesame oil moisturize and soften the skin well and have a regenerating effect;
• Sesame seed oil is excellent for massage treatments;
• Infusions of sesame seeds mixed with oil are suitable for removing makeup.

Sesame is an affordable and inexpensive product that is always on sale in any supermarket. In addition, it is a natural ingredient, completely environmentally friendly and safe. Suitable for those who have very delicate and sensitive skin.

Medicinal properties

Sesame has a complex effect on the body:

• anti-carcinogenic;
• antiseptic;
• anthelmintic;
• detoxifying;
• expectorant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• laxative.

Helps with the following diseases and conditions:

• ascariasis;
• atherosclerosis;
• infertility, weakened reproductive functions and libido;
• gastritis, stomach ulcer, constipation;
• hemorrhoidal cones;
• hepatitis;
• depression;
• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• skin diseases: diaper rash, itching, rashes, sunburn, scratches, cracks and wounds;
• lactation, mastitis;
• pulmonary diseases, bronchitis, asthma;
• menopause, postmenopause;
• obesity, overweight;
• oncology;
• poisoning, toxicosis;
• prediabetes;
• cold;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• stomatitis.

Mechanism of weight loss

How sesame grows

• The antioxidant properties of sesame prevent the appearance of irritability and nervousness, which are the main causes of breakdown and compulsive overeating (when you eat a lot due to stress);
• appetite is suppressed due to the fact that plant fiber tends to swell in the stomach and give a feeling of fullness, so you can forget about hunger;
• hormonal levels are normalized, and if it is the cause of excess weight, the latter will gradually begin to go away;
• any strict diet is easier to tolerate;
• low calorie content will not allow you to gain excess weight: a tablespoon of seeds contains only 52 kcal;
• metabolism accelerates;
• the body is cleansed of everything unnecessary that can affect weight: excess fluid, toxins and waste;
• the process of fat accumulation slows down, but their breakdown accelerates, thanks to sesamin in sesame;
• The laxative effect allows you to enhance cleansing and get rid of unnecessary ballast.

The chemical composition of sesame seeds, which determines their beneficial properties, allows them to be used for weight loss. So it's worth a try if you can tolerate a slightly bitter, unusual taste.

Origin of name . Sesame is Latin for “sesame”: “Sesamum” translates as “oil plant”.

White and black sesame - differences

White sesame was first brought to Europe from India and China, and black sesame from North Africa. At the moment, this spice is widely grown in the tropics of Asia, Central America and northern Africa. The main difference between black and white seeds is color.

However, since ancient times, oriental doctors have valued the black variety, believing that it has many beneficial properties. The smell and flavor of black seeds are more intense. It has also been found that black sesame contains more iron, which effectively fights anemia.

White and black sesame - differences

The amount of antioxidants in black seeds is off the charts, making this variety of sesame one of the most effective natural remedies in the fight against aging. Chinese sages believed that the use of black sesame oil could save a person from all chronic diseases in just 100 days, and restore teeth in 2 years.

White sesame is not much inferior in its benefits to black sesame, but its taste is more refined and delicate. Both adults and children like it in baking, so it is widely used in cooking. Thus, a luxurious oriental delicacy - tahini halva is nothing more than ground sesame seeds.

Contraindications

With regular and plentiful consumption, sesame has too powerful an effect on various body systems, so in some cases losing weight with it becomes prohibited. Complications can occur in the presence of conditions and diseases such as:

• pregnancy - can provoke the development of hypocalcemia in the fetus or cause miscarriage;
• gastrointestinal diseases associated with high acidity;
• kidney pathologies;
• individual intolerance manifests itself in the form of allergic reactions;
• urolithiasis disease;
• increased blood clotting.

In addition, this seasoning should not be consumed simultaneously with oxalic acid and aspirin. This is fraught with the formation of harmful deposits in the kidneys. Exceeding the daily dosage is dangerous due to dizziness and nausea. And if you chew the seed on an empty stomach, it will cause severe thirst and heartburn.

You should know it. Despite the fact that sesame seeds contain a lot of calcium, it is oxolate, that is, it is poorly absorbed by the body.

Benefits of black sesame

The introduction of unhulled sesame seeds into the usual diet has certain benefits for the body of most people. There is some information about the risk of allergic reactions, so before you start consuming black sesame, you should consult a doctor experienced in the use of active herbal products.

10 Health Benefits of Black Sesame

Based on several medical studies, we can draw conclusions about the following beneficial qualities of black sesame:

• Antidiabetic effect. Seed oil is recommended for patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Taking the product orally helps increase the active effect of glibenclamide, a drug prescribed for diabetics. In addition, black sesame oil reduces blood sugar levels in people suffering from high blood pressure.
• Hypotensive property. A product made from sesame seeds has an effect on lowering blood pressure. This quality is due to its high magnesium content, low levels of which are known to contribute to hypertension.
• Skin care. Sesame oil is rich in zinc - the main element necessary for the synthesis of your own collagen, to maintain elasticity. Zinc promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues. The high concentration of vitamin E in black sesame oil is of particular value for the skin.
• Strengthening bone tissue. Thanks to the zinc and calcium contained in sesame seeds, the mineral density of skeletal bones is significantly improved. The deficiency of these elements increases the likelihood of osteoporosis.
• Improves digestion. The dietary fiber contained in sesame seeds is necessary for normal digestion of food in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Consumption of the product promotes easy bowel movements.
• Anti-carcinogenic property. This is explained by the presence of a specific compound phytic acid in the seeds. Phytates, which are its main element, are able to resist malignant tumors of various types. Magnesium, as part of the chemical composition of sesame, also has anti-cancer properties.
• Improving the quality of the cardiovascular system. Oleic acid and the potent antioxidant sesamol present in black sesame prevent the development of atherosclerosis and the formation of blood clots. Active substances eliminate signs of the inflammatory process, lower the level of “bad” cholesterol, thereby protecting the blood vessels of the heart and brain, and preventing strokes.
• Prevention of fetal pathologies. A huge amount of folic acid - 97 g per 100 g of sesame seeds - helps protect the child from congenital developmental anomalies and promotes normal DNA synthesis during pregnancy. The advisability of consuming sesame should be discussed with the doctor supervising the gestation period in order to avoid the development of unwanted symptoms.
• A source of B vitamins. Sesame contains: thiamine (vitamin B1), niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6). The content of vitamin B3 in sesame is approximately 24% of the daily requirement, which ensures the health of the digestive system, skin, and normal functioning of the central nervous system.
• Hair beauty. Sesame seeds contain lecithin, proteins that trigger hair growth. Active elements prevent the formation of gray hair and restore pigmentation of gray hair.

You can read more about the chemical composition and benefits of black sesame in a scientific article

What are the benefits of black sesame for women?

Black sesame seeds have a beneficial effect on women's health. Active substances can improve the condition of hair, strengthen nails, and activate metabolic processes.

The main advantage of sesame for the female body is the ability of sesame phytoestrogens to replace female sex hormones. It is useful for gynecological diseases associated with hormonal imbalance, as well as during menopause.

Black sesame is of certain value in the treatment of other diseases characteristic of women:

• Breast cancer that developed during menopause.
• Vitiligo is a pathology in which the pigmentation of certain areas of the skin is impaired. Valuable elements of sesame restore melanin in the epidermal layer.
• Osteoporosis developing against the background of menopause. The process is characterized by changes in the mineral composition of bone tissue and leaching of calcium. The deficiency of this microelement can be eliminated by sesame. In addition, the growth and development of osteoblasts is influenced by a specific component of sesamin seeds. These qualities make it possible to add black sesame to the list of must-have products for women over 45 years of age.
• Stimulation of menstrual bleeding. Some experts recommend sesame seed extract to restore the female cycle.

During pregnancy

The introduction of black sesame seeds into the diet is allowed for healthy women from the second trimester of gestation.

You should consult your doctor before changing your diet, as too many seeds may cause some complications. It is possible to develop uterine hypertonicity due to an increase in estrogen levels.

Consuming sesame seeds during pregnancy in moderation will allow a woman to receive positive effects during pregnancy:

• Stabilize the functioning of the nervous system.
• Maintain healthy teeth and strengthen bones by maintaining normal calcium levels.
• Form the child's skeletal system.
• Provide breast milk with calcium.
• Strengthen the body's protective functions.

When breastfeeding

Having a child is stressful, after which a woman’s body needs to recover. It is during this period that the mother needs strength to feed the baby. The active nutrients of black sesame can provide women and children with essential microelements.

Black sesame helps to maintain the health of a nursing mother's teeth, strengthen hair, improve skin condition, increase the body's resistance to adverse factors, and lower cholesterol levels. Sesame magically helps restore the energy expended during childbirth and activates the production of breast milk. The baby receives all the necessary nutrients.

If a woman has not previously had an allergic reaction to sesame, then it can be consumed during breastfeeding, one teaspoon per day. The likelihood of developing an allergy to sesame seeds may be indicated by the body's immunity to nuts of any kind. In the absence of negative manifestations, we can say that black sesame definitely only benefits both the baby and the nursing mother.

Benefits for men

Sesame seeds are useful for men primarily because they allow you to quickly recover after physical activity.

In addition, we can highlight the following indications for the use of sesame by representatives of the stronger sex:

• Prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
• Prevention of prostate pathologies: prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
• Increased sexual activity.
• Ensuring healthy tone of the muscular system.

Can children eat black sesame?

The active elements of black sesame have a beneficial effect on the formation of the child’s skeletal bones, ensure healthy heart activity, and stabilize the functioning of the central nervous system.

Regular use of the product allows you to achieve the following positive effects:

• Strengthen the child's immunity.
• Increase resistance to respiratory system diseases.
• Stabilize digestive processes.
• Strengthen teeth and hair.
• Improve brain activity.
• Ensure the correct, harmonious development of the child’s body.
• Stabilize psycho-emotional mood.

Black sesame seeds can be introduced into the diet of babies starting from the eighth month of life, provided that their digestion is normal. A few seeds can be added to your usual dish. It is forbidden to mix sesame with parsley, spinach, individual fruits and berries that contain oxalic acid. This combination of products can provoke urolithiasis.

Baking with sesame seeds can be given to a child after three years of age. This is explained by the fact that butter dough is a heavy product for small children.

Video: what will happen if you eat sesame every day?

Recommendations

To enhance the dietary properties of sesame, you need to organize proper weight loss based on it. In order not to gain excess weight, not to harm your health and to get the desired result, follow the recommendations of nutritionists.

1. If you can find black sesame, use it - the results will be more significant than with white.
2. The daily norm is no more than 2 tablespoons of seeds.
3. If you feel nauseous, dizzy, or heartburn begins (symptoms of overdose), it is recommended to go to bed. If after this the discomfort does not go away, then this method of losing weight is not for you.
4. A low-calorie, light diet will help speed up the weight loss process.
5. If you exercise regularly, this will also bear fruit.
6. Organize a proper drinking regime: drink at least 2-2.5 liters of clean water per day.
7. The weight loss course is no more than a month. The interval between courses should be the same in duration.

In order for weight loss to be effective, you will still have to change your lifestyle, because this seasoning is not the main product for weight loss. It is only used as an auxiliary measure to diet (or proper nutrition) and sports.

Fairytale story. Since ancient times, magical properties have been attributed to sesame. It is not for nothing that in the oriental fairy tale Ali Baba used this word (sesame is the second name of the plant) to open secret gates.

Methods of application

When choosing ways to use sesame as a means of losing weight, you will have to go through trial and error, because there are too many different points of view on how to properly use its seeds and oil. Nutritionists disagree.

Seeds

Most often, sesame seeds are used for weight loss, which are considered the concentration of nutrients and low calorie content. But there are different points of view on exactly how to take them - on an empty stomach or after a meal, fried or raw.

Raw ones can cause irritation of the gastric mucosa, and fried ones lose most of their beneficial properties.

If you consume it on an empty stomach, you won’t want to eat much at your next meal, but this is fraught with severe heartburn and unbearable thirst. And if taken after, the fiber may turn out to be completely useless.

So in these matters you need to consult with specialists who can choose the only useful option specifically for your body. Or, through trial and error, try eating the seeds in different ways to see which one is most effective.

• Fried

To begin, lightly fry the grains in a dry frying pan (no more than 3-4 minutes) over low heat. At the same time, they need to be constantly stirred so as not to burn, otherwise they will become rancid and lose their beneficial properties.

• Raw

If you decide to lose weight on raw sesame seeds, then you must first soak the seeds in cold water for 12 hours. A teaspoon per glass of water. They will swell and become softer.

• Sprouted

Only those whose stomach can withstand such a load on the mucous membrane can use sprouted sesame seeds for weight loss. To do this, you need to purchase unpeeled black sesame seeds, rinse them under water, and transfer them to a shallow container. Fill with water until it rises 2 mm above the grains. Cover with clean gauze and place on the windowsill. Change the water daily until the first shoots become visible. Keep refrigerated.

• Flour

You can grind the seeds into flour and eat it with plenty of water.

Application schemes:

1. Slowly chew the seeds after main meals (or before) three times a day, 1 teaspoon.
2. Chew them twice a day after breakfast and dinner (or before) in an amount of 1 tablespoon.

Some sources recommend making tahini paste from the seeds, but look at its calorie content (695 kcal), because it contains olive oil. Is it possible to lose weight with this recipe?

Milk

Sesame milk can be a great option if you can make it at home. It is the richest source of calcium. It intensively removes toxins and waste, improves blood condition and energizes you for the whole day. The recipe is given below.

Oil

You need to be extremely careful when losing weight using sesame oil, since its calorie content is almost 900 kcal per 100 ml. Possible ways to use it:

• season dietary vegetable salads that you eat during a hunger strike;
• consume according to one of the regimens prescribed for seeds (for example, a teaspoon after meals three times a day);
• but the most effective way is to add it to anti-cellulite pastes for body wraps.

Choose the method of application that suits your taste and will not allow you to break it. You can combine ingestion of its seeds and anti-cellulite wraps with its oil.

Curious. The black variety of sesame is much more expensive than the white variety, since it is difficult to grow, difficult to find on sale and contains more substances beneficial to the body.

Secrets of seed composition

Sesame contains 45-55% oils, which means it contains a lot of healthy fat-soluble vitamins. But first of all, these small seeds are valuable because they contain the unique antioxidant sesamin, which is recommended for the prevention of many diseases. It is believed that regular consumption of sesame reduces the risk of cancer. The famous doctor Odile Fernandez, who herself defeated cancer, speaks about this in her books. In her opinion, sesame seeds are the product that, along with flaxseeds, really fights against cancer. More details here. The reason for such healing power of small seeds is sesamin, lingans, sesamol. These components not only act as prevention, but also suppress the NF-kB factor, causing cancer cells to lose their vitality.

Also, with regular consumption of sesame seeds and products based on them, blood cholesterol levels return to normal.

True, it contains omega-6 - a fat-soluble component, which increases the amount of dangerous cholesterol, so you should not eat more than 1 spoon of seeds per day if your goal is to solve health problems.

Sesame contains proteins, amino acids, vitamins A, B, C, E, carbohydrates, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, lecithin, and dietary fiber . Sesame seed protein is especially valuable for vegetarians. Ideally, they should be combined with legumes, then the most complete complex combination is formed, which is in no way inferior to proteins of animal origin. What does this look like in practice? The best answer can be found in Arabic cuisine. about tahini paste ? These are ground sesame seeds. In Eastern cooking, it is customary to add it to a variety of dishes. You can simply mix it with lemon juice, garlic and pepper - you get an excellent sauce for baked meat or fish. Or you can add sesame paste to cooked chickpeas and get that perfect combination!

In classic oriental cooking, sesame paste sauce is served with falafel (chickpea balls fried in oil), but falafel is not very suitable for proper nutrition due to the cooking principle.

Sesame seeds contain phytin , which helps normalize and restore mineral balance in the human body.

Phytosterol, which is abundant in sesame , helps strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s resistance to diseases of infectious origin

Sesame seeds, the composition of which is so diverse, also have the properties of normalizing metabolic processes and the functioning of the nervous system, due to the presence of vitamin PP.

These small seeds are also unique because of the calcium they contain. There is as much of it there as there is not in many types of cheese (namely, this dairy product is considered the leader in calcium content). 100 g of sesame seeds is 975 mg of calcium, while the norm for adults is plus or minus 1000 mg. By the way, in cheeses, for comparison, there is about the same amount of calcium: in feta cheese - a little more than 500 mg, in Gouda - about 700, in Parmesan - 1300. However, cheeses as a source of calcium are not very suitable for vegetarians, not to mention raw foodists , and there’s a lot of cholesterol there.

Attention! Peeled sesame seeds, which are found on store shelves in 90% of cases, contain 10 times less calcium! So look for black seeds.

Phytic acid and oxalates interfere with the absorption of calcium from sesame. To reduce the influence of these 2 substances, sesame seeds can be roasted in a frying pan. Only for a short time, otherwise the usefulness of these seeds as a whole will decrease.

The calorie content of sesame seeds is about 560-580 kcal . To improve the condition of the body, it is enough to eat 1 tbsp. spoon of seeds with water. It is recommended to take the seeds in the morning , since at this time beneficial microelements are better absorbed in the body. But, of course, it’s much tastier to add seeds to a salad or sprinkle them on a second dish. For example, ordinary beef stew will immediately become more interesting from such an addition.

People have long learned how to take sesame seeds as medicine, given that both benefits and harm from it can occur under certain conditions. The seeds were actively used in the fight against colds, asthma and pulmonary diseases.

Recipes

There are various diet recipes that can be used as part of diets. Look for dishes that suit your taste preferences and eating habits.

• Sesame kefir

In a blender, mix a glass of soaked or sprouted seeds with 350 ml of water. The mixture should resemble heavy cream. It needs to be strained, poured into a glass jar, covered with gauze so that the liquid “breathes”, and put in a warm place for 12 hours.

• Sesame milk

You will need 100 grams of raw seeds, a liter of boiled water, 30 ml of natural honey.

Pour the seeds into a bowl and cover with water for 2 hours. Drain the liquid and rinse the grains. Add honey and 100 ml of water. Grind it all in a blender. Add another 900 ml of water and stir again. Strain and drink in small portions throughout the day. Sometimes dates are added to milk to enhance the taste and laxative effect.

If you are looking for an effective way to lose weight that would allow you to get rid of excess weight without harm to your health, you should try sesame seeds. It will fit perfectly into any hunger strike and will help you endure it more easily and without breakdowns. The main thing is to do everything correctly.

Proper use of sesame

To get the maximum benefit, it is important to know how to use sesame and its products. For example, during heat treatment, the beneficial properties of sesame are significantly reduced (almost 2 times!) . It is better to use this product raw. To do this, the seeds are poured with water for 2-3 hours, and then eaten as part of salads or as an independent dish. They promote rapid satiety, so they are actively used as a product to reduce appetite.

Black sesame, which is considered to have more beneficial qualities, is more flavorful.

It is often added to salads, especially in Asian cuisine.

Pairs perfectly with cherry tomatoes seasoned with lemon juice and is good in any fruit salad variations.

Lightly fried seeds are a seasoning that will reveal the taste of baked or steamed healthy food products - fish, dietary poultry. Just remember that the benefits are greater in raw rather than fried seeds.