Commonly used in Asian cuisine, sesame seeds are a small addition that can add a nutty flavor and some crunch to your food. However, this traditional ingredient can do much more than tantalize your taste buds; it may also provide several health benefits. Before you have dinner at a Vietnamese or Thai restaurant, here are a few reasons why you might want to order a dish that contains sesame seeds.

How Can Sesame Seeds Affect Your Health?

1. Support Good Digestion

Sesame seeds are fiber-rich with one tablespoon equal to about one gram of fiber. Getting enough fiber in your diet is critical to maintaining good digestive health and avoiding conditions associated with gastrointestinal distress. Fiber is also known to make you feel full, which can help you avoid overeating and indigestion.

2. Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

The high amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in sesame seeds can help improve cholesterol levels. Also, the powerhouse ingredient contains several antioxidants — such as magnesium, lignans, and vitamin E — that are associated with improving blood pressure levels. By tackling both high cholesterol and high blood pressure, sesame seeds can help lower your risk of heart disease.

3. Stabilize Blood Sugar

Pinoresinol, a nutritional compound found in sesame seeds, is shown to help block the body’s ability to digest maltose. When digested, maltose may increase blood sugar levels.

For people with diabetes, increased blood sugar can raise the risk of many related complications, such as nerve damage, ketoacidosis, vision impairment, and kidney damage. Sesame seeds can also help stabilize blood sugar levels due to their low amount of carbohydrates, as well as their high fat and protein content.

Getting sesame seeds in your diet is easy when you plan on enjoying lunch or dinner at Mamasan’s in Rochester, NY. Serving up both Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, this restaurant offers many dishes that feature this healthy ingredient, including their signature sesame sauce. Check out the restaurant’s online menu to learn more about the noodles, salads, appetizers, and other selections they offer. If you’d like to place a dinner order for carry-out, call a friendly team member at (585) 461-3290.