Oils are an essential part of daily living. Some like sesame oil and olive oil are well known for their versatility and health benefits.

 Sesame oil is often used for its potent nutty flavour. It contains both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. 13.6 grams of sesame oil has total 5.4 grams of monounsaturated and 5.6 grams of polyunsaturated fat which makes it a very heart healthy oil. This oil may not be high in other nutrients but fats are also an essential part of your diet.

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Fat is not a bad thing. According to American Heart association (AHA), this oil actually performs some pretty impressive tasks like boosting energy supporting cell growth, protecting your organs, keeping your body warm, aiding in nutrient absorption and manufacturing of hormones. A staple in Asian cooking, sesame oil makes the AHA’s list of heart-healthy cooking oils. A moderate amount of fat is essential to a healthy lifestyle, while too much fat especially of the bad variety can lead to weight-gain and other health issues.

Learn to add it to your diet in the right way for a health boost – Sesame oil is available in two different varieties – light sesame oil which is extracted from ripened sesame seeds (has a pretty amber colour and can be used for deep frying) and dark sesame oil which is extracted from roasted sesame seeds (has brown colour and can be used for stir frying or dressing). Roasted sesame oil is a variety in which each drop is packed with a bash of flavour. It is darker in colour than the regular one. Due to its low smoking point, drizzle it at the very end of the recipe and toss to coat. The heat will make the oil even more fragrant. You can also use it as a soup topping instead of using heavy cream. It will add a depth of flavour to your soup and creamy texture when stirred in. You may also whisk it into vinaigrette to make your own salad dressing. A fresh note can be added with a shower of toasted sesame oil in cooked noodles or rice. It is better to dress up popcorn with this oil than with butter. You will want to make a double lot of this one. Sounds funny but surprisingly it can also be coated to crushed peanuts to top an ice cream scoop. You will enjoy an unexpected flavour that will make you forget everything else. Its nutty flavour gives a roller coaster zest to chicken tikka, kebabs and meats.

Amazing health benefits of sesame oil:

·         Sesame oil can be used to detoxify the body through skin. Warm it slightly and massage all over your body for 15 minutes before shower. This massage may take away many environmental toxins and internal toxins released by the liver to the skin.

·         It moisturises the skin and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. So it should be applied on the facial skin regularly to decrease the signs of aging. It also contains sunscreen properties providing you protection from UV rays, sun spots and irregular pigmentation.

·         Sesame oil moisturises the scalp and improves the health of hair follicles. It dissolves away many toxins that accumulate on scalp. It also treats damaged hair and return them back to their original health. Apply it warm on your scalp and hair to make them softer and shinier. This oil is a potent antifungal and kills the fungi to keep your scalp fungi-free. Thus it can prevent hair loss that occurs because of fungal scalp infection. You can also get rid of lice using its hot oil treatment – mix it with rosemary oil and lavender oil and apply. Say bye to lice.

·         According to a research, sesame oil helps in calming depression when taken internally or externally as massage.

·         Being rich in healthy fats, it can reduce LDL cholesterol keeping HDL cholesterol up. Thus it can reduce risk of heart disease by maintaining a healthy cholesterol level.

·         It is anti-cancerous to – colon cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, ovarian cancer, skin cancer and leukaemia.

·         It may lower blood glucose levels benefitting diabetics.

·         Sesame oil helps to improve intestinal health. 

It is said that sesame oil was first extracted during Indus Valley Civilisation and thereon was introduced to other parts around the globe. Indian households have a certain fondness for this oil as a flavour booster. It blends in well with various dishes that are synonymous with Indian cooking. However, it lags behind in popularity when compared to other cooking oils. Perhaps it is because of its low smoking point as opposed to the use of high heat while preparing Indian dishes.

Today, this super hero is deemed as one of the healthiest oils that can be used in many interesting ways to spruce up your everyday dishes.

Sesame oil is a great way to get healthier, filling fat into your day.