Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds in Smoothies

Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds in Smoothies
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Black sesame seeds can be a healthy addition to a smoothie, contributing vitamin B-1 and vitamin E. Grinding the seeds will help you get the most nutrition from them, because they will blend easily into the smoothie drink. Adding a dash of black sesame seeds adds a bit of crunch to a healthy smoothie.

Sleep and Mood

Sesame seeds are a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid. It helps your body create serotonin. This helps you to sleep well. It also helps create a stable, calm mood. Tryptophan cannot be created in the body. Thus, you have to eat foods containing it regularly to maintain it in your body.

Lower Blood Cholesterol Level

Black sesame seeds are also a strong source of fiber, due to the sesamin and sesamolin they contain, notes the Association of Sesame Seed Growers. The fiber in sesame seeds helps to lower blood cholesterol. Thus, if you have high cholesterol, it may be helpful to add black sesame seeds to smoothies. This is an easy way to start to lower your cholesterol and help prevent health disorders linked to high blood pressure, such as heart disease and stoke. If you have high cholesterol, though, talk to your doctor about medicines.

Lower Cancer Risk

Sesame seeds have anti-oxidants, which help to prevent cancer, notes the Association of Sesame Seed Growers. The monounsaturated fatty acids in sesame seeds also may help to prevent cancer, notes the University of Michigan Health System, Integrative Medicine. Eating a serving of about one tablespoon of sesame seeds daily in a smoothie will help your body defend against the development of cancer.

Helps Maintain Strong Bones

Black sesame seeds also add calcium to your diet, notes the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture. Calcium helps keep your bones strong. Adding black sesame seeds to a smoothie helps you lower the risk of fractures or breaks to bones that often occur if your calcium level gets too depleted.

References

Article reviewed by Bonny Brown Jones Last updated on: Jan 28, 2011

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