Health Benefits

There are many other nutrients in sesame seeds, but it is difficult for the body to absorb them due to their hard outer layer, or hull. Consuming sesame seeds in the paste form of tahini allows the body to absorb the nutrients they provide more efficiently.

Benefits

Tahini boasts a range of health benefits to enrich any meal.

Heart health

Being made from sesame seeds means that tahini can provide some of the benefits of sesamin and sesamol.

These are lignans, antioxidant nutrients that can help support the immune system and balance hormone levels.

One 2014 study showed that they may also have a positive impact on cholesterol levels and oxidative stress in
patients with osteoarthritis.

As seen above, tahini is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Studies have shown that consuming these
types of fats can lower harmful cholesterol levels as well as lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The calcium and magnesium in tahini may also work to decrease blood pressure naturally.

Lignans have a similar structure to estrogen. The sesamin and sesamol lignans in tahini can bind to estrogen receptors.

Arthritis

A study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases saw patients with knee osteoarthritis given either
glucosamine plus Tylenol twice a day, a standard treatment for osteoarthritis, or 40 g per day of powdered sesame seeds,
comparable to
2 tablespoons of tahini.

The group consuming sesame scored higher on measures to test the inhibitions associated with knee osteoarthritis,
reported less pain, and
did not experience the side effects associated with Tylenol.

Bone health

The high magnesium content in tahini is beneficial for maintaining healthy bones. Adequate magnesium intakes are
associated with a greater bone density and have been effective in decreasing the risk of osteoporosis.

One review of existing studies showed that magnesium might boost bone mineral density in the neck and hip.

Diet

Tahini is a major component of classic hummus, a popular dip based on chickpeas. Anytime you add traditional hummus
to a meal, you are eating tahini and gaining benefits from its sesame seed content.