Half teaspoon of these seeds could stop greying and cut high blood pressure
The black seeds can be added to almost any dish as a tasty garnish to offer people several health benefits
Black sesame seeds are not just a trendy garnish growing more popular on desserts, spreads, salads and dressings - they also pack a powerful health punch. Just half a teaspoon of these charcoal black seeds can reportedly make a difference to your cholesterol levels.
News Medical experts have analysed studies on the benefits and myths surrounding black sesame seeds. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
Heart health
It has been claimed by some that black sesame 'nourishes the blood', and this might actually not be too far off the mark. One study highlighted by the experts found that people who consumed 2.5 grams of seeds daily saw a 6% reduction in systolic blood pressure within a month.
A 2012 study showed that eating 40 grams every day for two months reduced cholesterol levels by 10%. Other human and animal studies have shown that the seeds increase blood antioxidant levels, protecting cells from damage and stress.
Liver and kidney
One study has shown that kidney disease patients could see a reduction in inflammatory markers by up to 79% after consuming a mix of seeds, including six grams of sesame seeds daily for three months. In research involving mice, the intake of black sesame seeds each day improved insulin levels and decreased liver inflammation and fat build-up.
Hair and skin
The seeds are traditionally believed to prevent greying hair and enhance skin tone, but the scientific evidence for these claims is limited. However, one study did find that sesame oil could protect the skin from UV damage keeping sunburns, wrinkling and early skin ageing at bay.
It could also improve skin elasticity and moisture retention. Another study found it also reduced pain when massaged into wounded extremities in trauma departments.
Nutrients
Two tablespoons of black sesame seeds are packed with nutrients and contain around three to four grams of healthy fats. They are also a good source of protein, fibre, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, and vitamins B1, B6, and E.
Although white sesame seeds also offer health benefits, black sesame seeds boast higher levels of calcium, iron, and magnesium. Experts at News Medical said: "Whether sprinkled over a meal, blended into a latte, or taken as a supplement, black sesame seeds are a delicious and nutrient-dense way to boost heart, liver, kidney, brain, and skin health.
"With its impressive nutritional profile and potential health benefits, black sesame seeds are a testament to the enduring wisdom of traditional practices blended with modern nutritional science."
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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Half teaspoon of these seeds could stop greying and cut high blood pressure
The black seeds can be added to almost any dish as a tasty garnish to offer people several health benefits Black sesame seeds are not just a trendy garnish growing more popular on desserts, spreads, salads and dressings - they also pack a powerful health punch. Just half a teaspoon of these charcoal black seeds can reportedly make a difference to your cholesterol levels. News Medical experts have analysed studies on the benefits and myths surrounding black sesame seeds. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Heart health It has been claimed by some that black sesame 'nourishes the blood', and this might actually not be too far off the mark. One study highlighted by the experts found that people who consumed 2.5 grams of seeds daily saw a 6% reduction in systolic blood pressure within a month. A 2012 study showed that eating 40 grams every day for two months reduced cholesterol levels by 10%. Other human and animal studies have shown that the seeds increase blood antioxidant levels, protecting cells from damage and stress. Liver and kidney One study has shown that kidney disease patients could see a reduction in inflammatory markers by up to 79% after consuming a mix of seeds, including six grams of sesame seeds daily for three months. In research involving mice, the intake of black sesame seeds each day improved insulin levels and decreased liver inflammation and fat build-up. Hair and skin The seeds are traditionally believed to prevent greying hair and enhance skin tone, but the scientific evidence for these claims is limited. However, one study did find that sesame oil could protect the skin from UV damage keeping sunburns, wrinkling and early skin ageing at bay. It could also improve skin elasticity and moisture retention. Another study found it also reduced pain when massaged into wounded extremities in trauma departments. Nutrients Two tablespoons of black sesame seeds are packed with nutrients and contain around three to four grams of healthy fats. They are also a good source of protein, fibre, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, and vitamins B1, B6, and E. Although white sesame seeds also offer health benefits, black sesame seeds boast higher levels of calcium, iron, and magnesium. Experts at News Medical said: "Whether sprinkled over a meal, blended into a latte, or taken as a supplement, black sesame seeds are a delicious and nutrient-dense way to boost heart, liver, kidney, brain, and skin health. "With its impressive nutritional profile and potential health benefits, black sesame seeds are a testament to the enduring wisdom of traditional practices blended with modern nutritional science."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Fears newly-discovered coronavirus is 'one step away' from infecting humans
A team of researchers from Washington State University fear the newly-discovered HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus found in China could mutate enough to cause a pandemic Scientists have warned that a newly-discovered coronavirus could lead to another pandemic. Researchers from Washington State University believe the HKU5-CoV-2 virus, found in China, is only one "small" step away from mutating. This in turn could allow it to infect humans and cause a widespread outbreak. Experts are on guard due to the pathogen's close relation to MERS, a life-threatening virus that kills around a third of people infected. Adding to the fear is that HKU5 was first recorded in bats by scientists from the Chinese lab where some say Covid originally came from in 2019, resulting in millions of deaths. The latest study was published in Nature Communications and looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses known as merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV. In it, a team from the US looked at how the new pathogen interacts with human cells. Professor Michael Letko, a virologist at Washington State who co-led the study, said: "HKU5 viruses in particular really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells. What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans." It was found that a small change in the virus' spike protein could mean that it attaches to human ACE2 cells, which are located in people's throats, mouths and noses. At the moment, the pathogen is only spreading in bats. However, scientists are concerned that unregulated wildlife trade in China increases the possibility of it eventually being transmitted to other species. 'Pseudoviruses' were created in the lab that include the HKU5 spike protein but are ultimately harmless and cannot replicate. These were then introduced to different types of cells, with some carrying bat ACE2 and others carrying human ACE2. In the experiments, the virus glowed green when it had entered and replicated inside a cell. The bat cells lit up brightly, meaning that HKU5 can easily infect them. However, human cells showed hardly any response unless the virus had certain mutations. The fear now is that if HKU5 jumps to an intermediate animal, for example a mink or civet, it could mutate enough before eventually reaching humans. One theory over the origins of the pandemic is that it was caused by a leak from a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This gained traction after the Director of the FBI Christopher Wray said the bureau believes Covid-19 "most likely" originated in a "Chinese government-controlled lab". However, last year scientists who were part of a major international study rejected this popular belief. They instead claimed that it broke out from a wet market in Wuhan, China. Genetic samples of animals that were sold at the market stalls in 2019 found traces of the Covid virus in some species. Author of the study, Kristian Andersen from Scripps Research, said in the document: "This adds another layer to the accumulating evidence that all points to the same scenario: that infected animals were introduced into the market in mid to late November 2019, which sparked the pandemic."
NBC News
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- NBC News
Trump trade negotiations and South Korea presidential election: Morning Rundown
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Here's where things stand with some notable partners: China: Leaders from each country have accused the other of undermining the truce they reached in Switzerland to temporarily pause tariffs. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on CNBC that the Chinese have been 'slow rolling' the agreement. China, meanwhile, has accused the U.S. of undermining the pact by imposing new export controls on computer chips. European Union: On May 23, Trump said the bloc wasn't moving fast enough toward a deal and threatened to levy a 50% tariff on European goods. Days later, he backtracked. And then on Friday, he said he would increase tariffs on steel and aluminum, including from Europe, to 50%. Japan: The U.S. and Japan have been through at least four rounds of trade talks, but last week, Japan's economy minister, Ryosei Akazawa, said it would be difficult to reach any agreement without the U.S. being willing to remove Trump's tariffs. The two sides said they would meet again this month. 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