Sesame oil Benefits, Uses and Side effects

Sesame oil hosts a variety of nutrients, which makes it the perfect nourishing oil for your hair. The active components present in sesame oil provide several other benefits for your scalp and hair. Let us explore what a sesame oil massage would do for your mane.

• Sesame oil helps to moisturise your scalp and hairs, avoiding dryness and frizziness. (Read more: Dry hair causes)
• The antibacterial and antifungal properties of sesame oil help safeguard the scalp from foreign bodies and other pathogens. It is also found beneficial in retaining the natural colour of the hair and strengthening hair shafts.
• Sesame oil protects your hair against UV damage by forming a protective coating on your hair surface.
• This oil is believed to prevent hair greying, leaving you with your natural black hairs. (Read more: Grey hair treatment)

Just like its hair benefits, sesame oil is very useful for the skin too. Let us have a look at the benefits of sesame oil for the health and well being of your skin.

• Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants. It helps in the prevention of premature ageing signs like dark spots and wrinkles and enhances the texture of your skin.
• It has an emollient effect on your skin. This means it provides moisturisation to your skin cells and prevents dry skin. 
• Application of sesame oil creates a protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing the damage caused due to the exposure to Sun.
• As an antifungal agent, it is also used to manage fungal infections of the skin.
• Studies indicate that topical application of sesame oil is useful for reducing pain an inflammation associated with trauma.
• In a survey conducted in mid-west Ethiopia, it was found that local people use sesame oil mixed with Acmella leaves for healing wounds. The oil by itself was also used for healing by ancient civilizations.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are one of the main components of sesame oil. These oils help maintain a low level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in blood, which, in turn, prevents atherosclerosis and keeps the heart healthy.

It is low in saturated fats, which is considered to be one of the harmful types of fat and not good for heart health.

Further, the antioxidant profile of sesame oil alleviates the oxidative stress on your heart muscles, making them function optimally. It also plays an important role in atherosclerosis prevention by avoiding lipid peroxidation.

(Read more: Heart disease causes)

Sesame oil is enriched with calcium and zinc, which are important minerals needed for bone growth and maintaining bone health. Regular use of sesame oil makes healing from a bone injury faster and also helps in bone growth.

It also prevents osteoporosis and the weakening of the bones along with helping in maintaining joint flexibility.

Sesame oil is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In a study conducted to check the anti-arthritic effects of sesame oil along with rice bran oil, both were found to be equally effective in reducing the inflammatory effects and pain associated with arthritis.

So, add sesame oil to your diet and say goodbye to weak bones. If you are not a fan of cooking, just buy the roasted oil of sesame seeds and drizzle some in salads.

Sesame oil is known for its antibacterial properties, which makes it an ideal choice for oil pulling. Oil pulling is a process similar to gargling, where you put oil in your mouth, swish it around before spitting it out. The use of sesame oil in oil pulling lowers the level of plaque, helps get whiter teeth and protects your teeth and gums against several bacteria. In an experiment conducted in Iowa, students gargled their mouth with sesame oil and found an 85% reduction in bacteria.

(Read more: Oral hygiene tips)

Certain nutrients in sesame oil help in combating different types of cancer. For example, high levels of magnesium lower the chances of colorectal cancer, while calcium content can help prevent colon cancer. Sesame oil contains a phenolic antioxidant compound called sesamol. This compound is said to be effective in preventing different types of cancer.

(Read more: Cancer vs tumour)

Sesame oil is rich in copper. Copper is essential for the production of red blood cells. Due to the presence of ample amount of copper in sesame oil, its consumption assures proper blood supply to the body. Also, the presence of iron in sesame oils helps fight anemia.

(Read more: Home remedies for anemia)

Hypoglycemia and high blood sugar levels are often difficult to manage and diabetics usually find it hard to decide on healthy food for them that does not cause a blood sugar spike. As a hypoglycemic (reducing blood glucose), sesame oil could be the right choice of cooking oil for diabetic people. In a study, it was found that sesame oil and sesame butter are effective in reducing body glucose levels. While sesame butter showed antioxidative, antihyperglycemic and lipid-lowering effects, sesame oil helped in managing body weight and had the properties to act against hyperglycemia.

In a recent study, white sesame oil was demonstrated to be useful for reducing diabetes symptoms and complications.

According to a clinical study published in the journal, Clinical Nutrition, sesamin present in sesame oil acts synergistically with anti-diabetic medications and may be used in the management of diabetes in long term.

(Read more: Diabetes treatment)