Is it better to eat sesame seeds raw or cooked? Nutritional benefits and whether sprouted seeds are safe to eat
Sesame, also known as hu ma and oil hemp, is a fairly common upright herbaceous plant in our country. It is well loved for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and itch-relieving effects, and is now widely cultivated. So what benefits does eating sesame have? Is it better raw or cooked? If it has sprouted, can you still eat it?
1. What benefits does eating sesame have?
1. Anti-aging
Vitamin E, which is the most abundant component of sesame and its main constituent, is often called the anti-aging vitamin. It has a very good effect on improving blood circulation and promoting metabolism. There is also linoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, which has the function of regulating cholesterol, and is therefore also called the “nutrition source of eternal youth”.
Human trial results have confirmed that when sesamin is transported by the blood to the liver, it can be metabolized into antioxidant substances. Its antioxidant effect is much stronger than that of vitamin E, and cooked sesame has the best antioxidant effect. Regularly eating sesame can also clear the aging substance “free radicals” from cells and maintain the body's vitality.
2. Resistance to arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure
The rich lecithin and linoleic acid contained in sesame can not only treat atherosclerosis, nourish the brain and enhance memory, but also have the effect of preventing hair from turning white prematurely and falling out, as well as beautifying and moisturizing the skin, and maintaining and restoring youthful vitality.
Apart from sesame, although there are many foods containing linolenic acid, none are as effective as sesame. This is because sesame contains both linolenic acid and vitamin E at the same time. Their simultaneous presence not only prevents the shortcoming of linolenic acid being easily oxidized, but also produces a synergistic effect, strengthening the therapeutic effect on arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure.
Because sesame oil has the effect of lowering cholesterol, it is beneficial for patients with vascular sclerosis and high blood pressure to consume it.
3. Treating dizziness from heatstroke
Sesame leaves can treat dizziness from heatstroke. When thirsty, you can pick a large handful of fresh sesame leaves, brew them in boiling water, and drink it as tea, which has the effect of clearing summer heat and quenching thirst; for arthritis pain, you can take 100 grams of sesame leaves, wash and chop them, and decoct them in water to drink.
4. Anti-inflammatory and itch-relieving effects
To treat hives and pruritus, you can take several sesame roots, decoct them into a soup and wash the affected area. According to reports, black sesame has therapeutic effects on chronic neuritis and peripheral nerve paralysis.
5. A nourishing, replenishing and strengthening tonic
Sesame was called hu ma, oil hemp, ju sheng, zhi ma, wu ma and fang jing in ancient times. It is divided into two types, black sesame and white sesame. White sesame is better for consumption, while black sesame is better for medicinal use. Sesame is a fragrant tonic and a good nourishing, replenishing and strengthening agent. Traditional Chinese medicine has a relatively high understanding of the medicinal use of sesame, calling it a strengthening agent, with effects such as enriching the blood, moistening the intestines, promoting fluid production, promoting lactation and nourishing the hair. It is suitable for symptoms such as physical weakness, premature graying of hair, sallow complexion due to anemia, insufficient body fluids, dry bound stool, and dizziness and tinnitus.
6. Moistening the intestines and relieving constipation
In people with habitual constipation, the toxins retained in the intestines will harm the liver and also cause rough skin. Because sesame contains a great deal of fat, it can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. For constipation caused by reduced intestinal fluids, using it alone is effective.
7. Strengthening the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems
Sesame can also strengthen the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. Sesame oil is known as the “vascular scavenger”. It can promote cholesterol metabolism, clear deposits on blood vessel walls, and keep blood vessels “young”.
2. Is it better to eat sesame raw or cooked?
It is better to eat sesame cooked. This is because sesame is a relatively difficult food to digest, and raw sesame actually does not taste very good. Fried cooked sesame is not only sweet in taste but also very fragrant, so people prefer to fry sesame before eating it. Even when used as a side dish, it needs to be fried cooked before eating. Therefore, it is better to eat sesame cooked.
3. Can you still eat sesame after it has sprouted?
Sprouted sesame can be eaten. Regarding sprouted ingredients, people have a misunderstanding, believing that no matter what kind of ingredient it is, once it has sprouted it cannot be eaten. The most typical example is that when potatoes turn dark green or sprout, the solanine in them increases greatly, and eating them causes poisoning. Extending this idea, everyone has formed the concept that anything that has sprouted is toxic and cannot be eaten. In fact, this is simply incorrect. According to scientific research, after sesame is soaked and sprouted for 4 days, its fat content decreases significantly, while components such as linolenic acid, phosphorus and calcium increase, and the sesamol it contains has a very good antioxidant function, making its nutritional value higher than when it has not sprouted.