۱۰ Science-Backed Benefits of Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is made from raw, pressed sesame seeds and has culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses (1Trusted Source).
This article lists 10 science-backed benefits of sesame oil.

۱. High in antioxidants

Sesame oil contains sesamol and sesaminol, two antioxidants that may have powerful effects on your health (2Trusted Source).
Antioxidants are substances that help reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. An accumulation of free radicals in your cells may lead to inflammation and disease (3Trusted Source).
A one-month study in rats found that taking sesame oil supplements protected against heart cell damage (4Trusted Source).

۲. Has strong anti-inflammatory properties

Chronic inflammation can be harmful and lead to illness, which is why it’s important to limit it as much as possible (6Trusted Source).
More recently, animal and test-tube studies have shown that sesame oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of its main health benefits.
However, more studies in humans are needed.

۳. Good for your heart

A well-established body of research shows that a diet rich in unsaturated fats is good for heart health (9, 10Trusted Source).
Sesame oil comprises 82% unsaturated fatty acids (11Trusted Source).
In particular, it’s rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential to your diet and plays an important role in heart disease prevention (12Trusted Source).

۴. May help control blood sugar

Sesame oil may support healthy blood sugar regulation, which is especially important for people with diabetes.
Sesame oil may even play a role in long-term blood sugar regulation.

۵. May help treat arthritis

Osteoarthritis affects nearly 15% of the population and is a common cause of joint pain (16Trusted Source).
Several rodent studies have linked sesame oil to improvements in arthritis (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

۶. May help heal wounds and burns

While sesame oil can be consumed for its health benefits, it may also be used topically for wounds and burns.
The oil’s ability to speed the healing of wounds and burns can likely be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (24Trusted Source).

۷. May protect against UV rays

Some research shows that sesame oil may protect against damage from UV rays, which can harm your skin. This effect is likely largely due to its high antioxidant content (25Trusted Source).
Several sources claim that sesame oil can be a good natural sunscreen and has a natural SPF. However, there is limited research on its effectiveness to protect from the strong rays of the sun, so it’s best to use sunscreen.

۸–۱۰. Other potential benefits

Although research is limited, some evidence suggests that sesame oil may offer the following benefits:
۸. May improve sleep quality. One study showed that dripping sesame oil on the foreheads of 20 participants during seven, 30-minute sessions over a 2-week period improved sleep quality and quality of life, compared with a placebo treatment (26Trusted Source).

۹. Topical application may relieve pain. Some studies have shown that a massage with sesame oil may help reduce arm and leg pain (7Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source).
۱۰. May improve hair health. Compounds in this oil may increase hair shine and strength.

The bottom line

Sesame oil is a delicious and healthy fat to add to your diet.
Thanks to its antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties, it may benefit your heart, joints, skin, hair, and more. However, more research in humans is needed to investigate these potential effects.

You can take advantage of the potential benefits of sesame oil by adding it to recipes and consuming it as part of a balanced diet.