Latest news with #sesame
Zawya
04-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SEFCO, Omani growers sign sesame farming pact
SALALAH: SEFCO, a food industry firm based in the Salalah Free Zone, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Omani Agricultural Association (Dhofar Branch) to promote sesame cultivation in the Najd area of Dhofar Governorate. The initiative is part of a wider collaboration involving the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, and the Salalah Free Zone. It aims to link local agricultural output with the food processing industry, aligning with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. As per the agreement, SEFCO will procure the full sesame yield from farmers during the first harvest season, with plans to scale up in future phases. The project presently involves around 35 farmers and spans 600 acres of farmland, with a projected yield of 300 tonnes in its first season. It is expected to reduce reliance on imported sesame, thereby supporting local industries such as tahini and halwa production. Sesame is highly compatible with the desert environment of Najd and is prized for its versatility across food, cosmetics and traditional medicine, as well as its rich nutritional value. Dr Ali Tabouk, CEO of Salalah Free Zone, remarked, 'Our objective is to stimulate economic growth by enabling meaningful collaborations between investors in the zone and the local community. This initiative underscores our focus on building industries rooted in local resources and fostering sustainable development across Dhofar and Oman.' The agreement stands as a model of effective public-private partnership, illustrating how government entities, free zones and the private sector can unite to support SMEs, enhance food self-sufficiency and drive long-term national growth.
Times of Oman
03-08-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
MoU signed to enhance food security through sesame cultivation in Dhofar
Salalah: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Sunday at Salalah Free Zone between "Saifco," a food industry company operating in the zone, and the Dhofar Governorate branch of the Oman Agricultural Association. The agreement is for the cultivation of sesame in the Al Najd area, as part of efforts to support food security and enhance national value chains. This initiative is a joint cooperation programme between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, and the Salalah Free Zone. It aims to connect local agricultural production with the food industry and achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Under the agreement, Saifco commits to purchasing the sesame harvest from farmers in the first season, with plans for expansion in subsequent seasons. The project covers an area of 600 acres, benefiting 35 farmers with an estimated production of 300 tonnes in its first phase. This partnership seeks to reduce reliance on sesame imports and boost self-sufficiency to meet the needs of local food industries, particularly for tahini and halwa. Sesame is a suitable crop for the desert environment of the Al Najd area and is known for its multiple uses in the food, cosmetic, and medicinal industries, in addition to its high nutritional value. Dr. Ali Mohammed Tabuk, CEO of the Salalah Free Zone, affirmed that the initiative is part of the zone's efforts to enhance economic development by stimulating qualitative partnerships between investors and the local community. He added that the Salalah Free Zone aims to empower local production-based industries and support integrated value chains, thereby contributing to sustainable development in Dhofar Governorate and Oman as a whole. The project serves as a practical model of cooperation among government entities, free zones, and the private sector. It embodies the role of the Salalah Free Zone in supporting national projects that contribute to the development of local industries, the empowerment of SMEs, and the enhancement of self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Surprising Food to Eat More of If You Have Diabetes, According to a New Study
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RDA study suggests sesame may help improve blood sugar and cholesterol in people with diabetes. Sesame products—like oil, seeds or tahini—could support heart health when used consistently. While promising, the evidence is lower-quality, so speak with a healthcare provider before making any major disease is a top health concern for good reason—it's the leading cause of death worldwide. And if you're among the 38.4 million American adults who are living with diabetes, your risk is even higher. That's because diabetes doesn't just affect blood sugar—it also contributes to a cascade of problems that raise the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. These include high levels of LDL ('bad') cholesterol, elevated triglycerides and chronic oxidative stress, which damages blood vessels over time. Finding simple, effective ways to reduce this risk is a major priority in diabetes care. One promising approach researchers have been exploring is food—especially foods with bioactive compounds that go beyond basic nutrition. Sesame (yes, the same seed you'll find on buns and bagels) has been a key ingredient in many diets for centuries and contains powerful compounds like sesamin and sesamol that act as antioxidants and support heart and metabolic health. Until now, studies on sesame's health benefits have been relatively small and inconsistent. But a new meta-analysis published in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews brings together the results of 13 clinical trials to take a closer look. The researchers focused on people with diabetes and evaluated how sesame products affected a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors, including blood sugar, cholesterol levels and markers of oxidative stress. Their findings suggest sesame may do more than add flavor—it could also play a meaningful role in protecting your heart. Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, a study method that pools data from multiple past trials to look for patterns. They included 13 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 731 adults with diabetes. Most participants had type 2 diabetes, and the studies were conducted across several countries, including Iran, India, Brazil and Pakistan. Participants received sesame in various forms—such as sesame oil, whole seeds or capsules—at doses ranging from 200 to 60,000 milligrams per day. The interventions lasted between six and 12 weeks. The researchers measured outcomes like blood sugar, cholesterol, antioxidant activity, body weight and inflammation markers. They used the GRADE system, a formal framework for evaluating the strength of scientific evidence. Overall, the study found that sesame products were linked to significant improvements in several cardiovascular disease risk factors for people with diabetes. Specifically, sesame consumption: Lowered fasting blood glucose Reduced hemoglobin A1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control) Decreased post-meal blood glucose Reduced LDL cholesterol Decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides Increased levels of two key antioxidant enzymes: catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) These changes suggest that sesame may help regulate blood sugar, improve lipid profiles and protect against oxidative stress—three critical goals in managing diabetes and reducing the risk of heart disease. However, not all findings were positive. The researchers didn't find significant improvements in HDL ('good') cholesterol, insulin resistance, inflammation markers like C-reactive protein or blood pressure. In addition, the effects appeared to diminish once sesame supplementation stopped, suggesting ongoing use may be necessary. It's worth noting that the quality of evidence in this study was rated 'very low' due to limitations like small sample sizes, short trial durations, inconsistent results and risk of bias in study design. That means while the findings are promising, they should be interpreted with caution. That said, sesame is a safe and nutritious ingredient to include in your diet, even if these specific heart-health benefits aren't fully confirmed. It's rich in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants, and previous studies have linked it to lower inflammation, improved blood pressure and better cholesterol levels. If you're living with diabetes or concerned about heart health, adding sesame products to your diet could be a simple, budget-friendly step with potential upside. In the reviewed studies, most benefits were seen with higher doses (around 30 grams per day) and longer use (eight weeks or more), so consistency matters. Try adding sesame oil to stir-fries or salad dressings, sprinkling toasted seeds over vegetables and grains or using tahini in sauces, dips and smoothies. Crushed or blended sesame (like tahini or sesame oil) may offer more benefits than whole seeds, since grinding improves the bioavailability of beneficial compounds like sesamin. Of course, sesame isn't a magic bullet. It should be part of a broader strategy that includes medical treatment, physical activity and a balanced diet. And if you're on medications for blood sugar or cholesterol, check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Sesame may offer heart-protective benefits for people with diabetes, according to a new meta-analysis. It helped improve blood sugar, cholesterol and antioxidant activity—three pillars of cardiovascular health. While the overall quality of the evidence is low, these findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that sesame could be a helpful addition to diabetes care. Incorporating sesame oil, tahini or seeds into your meals may be a flavorful and health-supportive choice worth exploring. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Halva, dark chocolate and sesame cookies
Crunchy, chewy, salty, sweet, this cookie has it all. If you've never tried halva before, I highly recommend hunting it down – it's a sweet sesame treat that's sort of crumbly and soft in texture. When baked into this cookie it becomes a perfectly caramelised, nutty, chewy addition. Requires freezing time. Overview Prep time 20 mins Cook time 15 mins Serves 20 cookies Ingredients 250g unsalted butter, softened 300g soft light brown sugar 1 egg 200g halva, cubed 2 tsp vanilla bean paste 250g plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 150g oats (100g blended into a 'flour', 50g left whole) 1 tbsp sesame seeds, plus more for rolling 100g good-quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped a little sea salt, for sprinkling
