Sesame Seeds
Sesamum indicum
A common food seed and oil. Trials suggest sesame products may lower long-term blood sugar and inflammation. Sesame is a major food allergen.
What is Sesame Seeds?
- Plant family
- Pedaliaceae, the sesame family
- Parts used
- The seeds, and the oil pressed from them
- Genus
- Sesamum
- Species
- indicum
Also called
Sesame, Sesamum indicum, Sesame Oil
Traditionally used for
- Cooking
- Blood sugar (studied)
Traditionally described as
- Contains lignans such as sesamin
Health topics
Where Sesame Seeds appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- High Blood Sugar
A review of 13 trials found sesame products lowered long-term blood sugar (HbA1c).
Natural compounds
Safety
Allergies
Sesame is one of the nine major food allergens in the US. Since January 1, 2023, packaged foods and dietary supplements must list sesame as an allergen, including when it's hidden in ingredients like "natural flavor" or "spices". Older stock may not be labeled, and recipes can change, so people with a sesame allergy should check the label every time. Unpackaged foods, like bagels in a bin, may not be labeled.[1]
What does the research say?
Research in people
A 2025 review of 13 trials with 521 people looked at sesame seeds, oil, powder and bars taken for 4 to 12 weeks. Sesame lowered long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) and two markers of inflammation, and there was a borderline drop in fasting blood sugar. Cholesterol improved in some groups, such as people with long-term health conditions and at doses of 10 g a day or less. Sesame contains plant compounds called lignans, such as sesamin.[2]
Technical detail: HbA1c SMD −0.67 (95% CI −1.01 to −0.32); CRP SMD −0.51 (−0.96 to −0.05); IL-6 SMD −0.74 (−1.16 to −0.32); fasting blood sugar SMD −0.57 (−1.16 to 0.02).
In short
A major food allergen; check labels if allergic.
Sources
- [1] Allergic to Sesame? Food Labels Now Must List Sesame as an Allergen — U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationGovernment health agency
- [2] Clinical evidence of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) products and its bioactive compounds on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycemic control, inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, and oxidative stress parameters in humans: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis · DOI: 10.1186/s12986-025-00910-7Review or clinical trial
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.