Sesame Oil

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Sesame oil is obtained from sesame seeds, or as this plant is also called - sesame. Initially, it was produced and used in South India, but only reached Japan at the beginning of the last century. Sesame oil came to Europe simultaneously with the emergence of fashion for Japanese cuisine, because all traditional Japanese salads are seasoned with this delicious and aromatic oil. It can be light (obtained from fresh sesame seeds) and dark (from roasted).

Sesame oil composition

According to reviews, sesame oil has many beneficial properties, which are explained by its rich chemical composition. It contains:

Vitamins A, C, E, D and group B;
Fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are of great importance for human health;
Biologically active substances (antioxidants, phytosterols, phospholipids, etc.);
Minerals (iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, potassium, nickel, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, etc.).

Due to its truly unique properties, sesame oil is widely used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology and medicine.

Sesame oil applications

In many cuisines of the world, sesame oil is considered one of the most important and irreplaceable ingredients. It has a very pleasant taste and smell with nutty notes. The beneficial properties of sesame oil last for a long period of time. This is due to the unique technology of its production (cold pressing).

The use of sesame oil in cooking is usually associated with adding it to various salads and for dressing dishes. It is not suitable for frying, because burns out easily. It is one of the main components of spicy Japanese and Chinese appetizers. A banal salad of carrots, green peas, sweet corn and red cabbage, seasoned with sesame oil, acquires a completely unusual festive taste and delicate aroma.

Sesame oil is widely used in Korean cuisine. The Chap-Chey dish is very interesting. To prepare it, boil the "glass" vermicelli for three minutes and rinse it. To prepare the sauce, mix sesame oil, soy sauce, pepper, sesame seeds, garlic and granulated sugar. Pour the vermicelli with sauce and mix thoroughly. Served cold.

Sesame oil is great for salads and seafood appetizers, giving them a touch of sophistication and piquancy.

Sesame oil properties

In the East, this oil is considered a cure for thousands of diseases. And modern doctors confirm this. For example, it has been proven that sesame oil significantly increases the effectiveness of therapy for such a dangerous disease as melanoma. In addition, it is an excellent preventive measure for the development of cancer. To do this, it should be eaten daily in the amount of 10.0 - 15.0 ml.

Nutritionists advise including sesame oil in the diet of strict vegetarians who do not consume dairy products and therefore are calcium deficient.

According to reviews, sesame oil, due to its vitamin and mineral composition, improves the processes of digestion and metabolism. Therefore, it is useful for certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid gland.

Phytosterol contained in sesame oil is a natural natural analogue of the female sex hormone estrogen. Due to this, it has a positive effect on women who are in the premenopausal period. According to reviews, sesame oil has a stimulating effect on the ovaries. In this regard, gynecologists prescribe it to women suffering from secondary amenorrhea caused by sudden weight loss. In this case, it is recommended to drink one tablespoon of sesame oil half an hour before breakfast.

Do not mix it with hot dishes or heat it up as during heat treatment, almost all antioxidant properties of sesame oil disappear.

According to reviews, sesame oil used for massage can quickly eliminate muscle pain that occurs after significant physical exertion. In India, it is used as a moisturizer and is applied to the skin after a shower. And to smooth out wrinkles, sesame oil is infused on rose petals and applied to clean skin twice a day.

The unique properties of sesame oil are also used to strengthen dry hair. To do this, the oil is rubbed into the scalp and applied to the hair along its entire length, and after half an hour the mask is washed off with warm water acidified with lemon juice.

The harm of sesame oil

When using this oil, remember that it absolutely does not tolerate heat treatment. When it is heated to a temperature above 27 degrees C, the decomposition of active substances occurs and from such sesame oil there will be much more harm than good. With prolonged storage in the light, fatty acids also decompose, and the beneficial properties of sesame oil are lost.

It can cause allergic reactions. Allergy symptoms are usually the appearance of a runny nose, mild cough, and sore throat. In this case, sesame oil should be completely eliminated from the diet.

The dangers of sesame oil can also be talked about when it is applied to dirty skin. this leads to blockage of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands, which in turn causes the appearance of acne.

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