NUTTY TAHINI NUTTY TAHINI

July 2, 2020

Tahini is a seed butter made from sesame seeds that are hulled, ground, and toasted. It is commonly used in North African, Greek, Iranian, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is a major ingredient in hummus and baba ghanoush (a dip similar to hummus, made with eggplant rather than chickpeas).

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAHINI

HEART HEALTH

Sesame seeds contain the unique lignans sesamin and sesamol, which have been shown to lower cholesterol. 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 also work to decrease blood pressure naturally.

CANCER PREVENTION

Lignans, chemical compounds found in certain plants, have a similar structure to estrogen. The sesamin and sesamol lignans in tahini are able to bind to estrogen receptors, which can protect against hormone-related cancers.

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 in postmenopausal women.