Sesame Seed - Open Sesame

Sesame Seed - Open Sesame
Sesame Seed - Open Sesame
Anonim

Who among us does not remember the fairy tale about Ali Baba and the 40 thieves from the Thousand and One Nights? It concentrates the exotic of the East, countless treasures in the cave and the magic words: "Sim-sim, open!", opening the door to the world of happiness, he alth and we alth. The fabulous word "sim-sim" or "sesame" in Arabic means a small oil seed - sesame. This seasoning has been known since ancient times in Egypt and China, India and Africa, as well as in the countries of the Middle East.

sesame seed
sesame seed

Sesame seed is the oldest product: Assyrian legend says that the gods, starting to create the world, sprinkled their lips with sesame wine. Today, this miraculous healing drug is added to a variety of dishes and delicious pastries, it is used to obtain the most valuable sesame oil, tahini halva. In folk recipes, sesame seeds and oil are used to treat problems with the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory, respiratory systems, in gynecology, with neuralgic diseases and many other ailments.

The sesame plant belongs to the category of annuals with oblong small fruits - pods-boxes, in which the seeds ripen. Sesame seeds come in a wide variety of shades, from white, yellow, reddish, and brown toblack.

Sesame - properties
Sesame - properties

Ripe fruits at the slightest touch click loudly and scatter sim-sim. Sesamum indicum is a tasty and he althy "medicine".

"Rejuvenating" or sesame seed has a nutty sweet amber that intensifies during roasting. In India, it is believed that the darkest seeds are the most fragrant.

What else is remarkable about sesame? The properties of the oil plant (55-60% fat content) allowed the ancients to start producing a valuable dietary product. In the age of civilization, the use of sesame oil - a champion in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood - has become very relevant. One hundred grams of this elixir of immortality contains up to 75% of the daily requirement of copper, 35% of calcium, 31% of magnesium.

Sesame: calories
Sesame: calories

Due to the presence of natural antioxidants in sesame oil, it rejuvenates cells, regulates oxygen metabolism in body tissues and significantly strengthens the immune system. Zinc, calcium and phosphorus contained in sesame seeds help prevent osteoporosis, as they help to form bone tissue. In addition, sesame has long been a favorite among products that contain a large amount of calcium (up to one and a half grams per 100 g of sim-sim), iron - about 15-16 mg, magnesium - 540 mg.

Sesame seed also has a healing effect in respiratory diseases - bronchitis, pulmonary diseases and asthma. It is recommended to consume one teaspoon of sesame seeds daily to normalize the functioning of the female reproductive system. Whereinthe risk of developing mastitis and other gynecological problems is reduced.

Cookies with sesame
Cookies with sesame

The Chinese consider sesame seeds to be a means of strengthening and supporting the morale of warriors. Ayurveda offers sesame oil as a unique product for the treatment of skin diseases, and in love magic as a powerful aphrodisiac.

In cosmetology, universal sesame oil is used in face and body care. Thanks to its softening and moisturizing properties, it nourishes the dermis, reduces the risk of dryness and irritation. The ability of this "liquid gold" to reliably protect our skin from negative external influences is known. Sesame oil is used both in its pure form and as a life-giving component of many cosmetics.

In cooking, sesame is often used to sprinkle bread, cookies, buns and pies. The Japanese cover traditional cakes with a layer of sesame seeds. Sim-sim is added to breading when frying pieces of fish, meat or vegetables. It also adds a delicious flavor to various salads.

Japan - cakes
Japan - cakes

However, nutritionists warn: no matter how useful and nutritious sesame is, its calorie content is almost equal to that of milk chocolate. If this delicacy has 550 kcal in 100 g of the product, then the same amount of sesame will bring 560-580 kcal to the body. Therefore, adherents of a he althy lifestyle prefer to limit themselves to one teaspoon of sim seeds per day, no more.

Sesame oil and seeds added to food not only improve tastefood, but also bring significant benefits to your he alth.

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