Increase your folic acid intake, lower cholesterol
Feb 14, 2011
SIMSIM (sesame) seeds, the world over, are on demand — thanks to nutritionists who have cited the seeds’ tremendous health benefits. The seeds, which also have a pleasant nutty flavour, contain healthy oils and are a delicacy.
By Viqué-Ocean Kahinju
SIMSIM (sesame) seeds, the world over, are on demand — thanks to nutritionists who have cited the seeds’ tremendous health benefits. The seeds, which also have a pleasant nutty flavour, contain healthy oils and are a delicacy.
Simsim can be eaten raw or roasted, though health experts say to benefit fully from the seeds curative and nutritive benefits, one should eat them raw.
Dr. Augustus Rubaramira, a nutritionist in Kampala, says simsim is a source of phytonutrients (a natural substance in plants), especially Omega-6 fatty acids.
“Omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain functioning as well as normal growth and development, especially in children,†he adds.
Among all nuts and seeds, simsim is rich in B-complex vitamins such as thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and riboflavin as well as folic acid. Due to its folic acid content, simsim prevents birth defects.
“100g of simsim seeds contains 97mg of folic acid, about 25% of the recommended daily intake. Folic acid is also essential for DNA synthesis, a fundamental process that occurs in all living organisms,†explains Rubaramira.
“One hundred grammes of simsim seeds contain 50% of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and about 4.5mg of niacin, a type of B-complex vitamin, which lowers cholesterol in the blood stream, and enhances brain activity, reducing anxiety or stress as well as high blood pressure.
“Too much cholesterol causes heart, liver and high blood pressure complications if not checked. This can be achieved, especially through proper food selection,†explains Roshani Mohammad of Indian Natural Remedy Centre in Kampala.
A handful of simsim a day provides anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.
Roshani further says simsim seeds when eaten raw and daily provide calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and copper.
He adds that many of these minerals have a crucial role in bone mineralisation, red blood cell production, enzyme synthesis, hormone production and regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle actions.
Roshani says the seeds restore a normal sleep pattern, especially among women in menopause.
A recent research reveals that the calcium found in simsim protects the colon cells from cancer-causing elements and prevents rheumatoid arthritis that affects the bones.
Simsim is also recommended for people with migraines and pre-menstrual stress.
SIMSIM (sesame) seeds, the world over, are on demand — thanks to nutritionists who have cited the seeds’ tremendous health benefits. The seeds, which also have a pleasant nutty flavour, contain healthy oils and are a delicacy.
Simsim can be eaten raw or roasted, though health experts say to benefit fully from the seeds curative and nutritive benefits, one should eat them raw.
Dr. Augustus Rubaramira, a nutritionist in Kampala, says simsim is a source of phytonutrients (a natural substance in plants), especially Omega-6 fatty acids.
“Omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain functioning as well as normal growth and development, especially in children,†he adds.
Among all nuts and seeds, simsim is rich in B-complex vitamins such as thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and riboflavin as well as folic acid. Due to its folic acid content, simsim prevents birth defects.
“100g of simsim seeds contains 97mg of folic acid, about 25% of the recommended daily intake. Folic acid is also essential for DNA synthesis, a fundamental process that occurs in all living organisms,†explains Rubaramira.
“One hundred grammes of simsim seeds contain 50% of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and about 4.5mg of niacin, a type of B-complex vitamin, which lowers cholesterol in the blood stream, and enhances brain activity, reducing anxiety or stress as well as high blood pressure.
“Too much cholesterol causes heart, liver and high blood pressure complications if not checked. This can be achieved, especially through proper food selection,†explains Roshani Mohammad of Indian Natural Remedy Centre in Kampala.
A handful of simsim a day provides anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.
Roshani further says simsim seeds when eaten raw and daily provide calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and copper.
He adds that many of these minerals have a crucial role in bone mineralisation, red blood cell production, enzyme synthesis, hormone production and regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle actions.
Roshani says the seeds restore a normal sleep pattern, especially among women in menopause.
A recent research reveals that the calcium found in simsim protects the colon cells from cancer-causing elements and prevents rheumatoid arthritis that affects the bones.
Simsim is also recommended for people with migraines and pre-menstrual stress.