Dried sesame seeds are among the oldest spices known to mankind. Extremely durable, they are more resistant to rancidity and spoilage than many other cereals and are valued for their beneficial properties.
Used as an addition to pasta, baked and fried dishes or as a basis for the production of traditional products such as tahini and halva , sesame seeds contribute to an impressive arsenal of minerals.
Only 36 grams of dried grains contain 1.47 milligrams of honey or 163% of the daily intake required for good metabolism. The same amount also contains: 0.89 mg of manganese (45% of the required daily intake), 351 mg of calcium (35%), 226 mg of phosphorus (32%), 126 mg of magnesium (32%), 5.24 mg of iron (29%), 2.79 mg zinc (25%), 12 μg selenium (23%), and 4.25 g dietary fiber (17%).
The abundance of useful minerals pales in comparison to the concentration of phytosterols - plant steroid compounds with a structure similar to human cholesterol . Metabolized in the human body, they have well-documented properties to lower the levels of harmful low- density lipoprotein known as " bad cholesterol " in the blood. It also has a depressant effect on triglyceride levels , especially in people with familial impaired fat metabolism .
The concentration of phytosterols in sesame seeds is between 400-413 mg per 100 grams of dried sesame seeds. This makes them richer in the compound even than pistachios and sunflower seeds , which contain about 280 mg of phytosterols per 100 g of body weight.
Dried seeds are recommended as a dietary supplement to relieve pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. This is due to the huge amount of honey contained in them. It enhances the action of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant systems. Moreover, copper is crucial for the activity of lysyl oxidase - an endemic necessary for the proper interaction between elastin and collagen and the formation of collagen fibers. Their optimal function provides and maintains the strength, stability and elasticity of blood vessels and joints.