Sesame Seeds For Arthritic Knees

More than 300,000 Spaniards suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, the main symptoms of which are inflammation and pain in the joints, especially in the hands, feet and knees.

Rheumatoid or rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints that damages tissues and causes deformities and functional disability. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.

Arthritis Drugs Have Side Effects

So far there is no effective treatment without side effects. Doctors prescribe anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and so-called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs that delay disease progression, but at the cost of increasing the risk of liver and lung disorders.

These antirheumatic drugs contain gold and are injected diluted in sesame oil. The beneficial effects are attributed to gold, but some researchers wonder if the oil is not the true therapeutic agent, since sesamin and sesamol are known anti-inflammatory compounds.

Sesame reduces inflammation

A study carried out by scientists from the University of Tabriz (Iran), published in the journal Acta Medica Iranica, discovered that effectively supplementing with sesame in patients with arthritis reduces the levels of inflammation markers, such as “c-reactive protein” and interleukins.

The patients took 40 g of sesame seeds daily for two months. After this time his perception of pain decreased by 60% (on a scale of 0 to 10, it decreased from 9 to 3.5).

Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure

In addition to its beneficial effects on arthritis, sesame increases antioxidant levels in the body, lowers cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure.

Sesame can be combined with other foods that are also anti-inflammatory and are indicated in case of arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The turmeric and ginger are the two “medical foods” most prominent in this regard.

How is sesame consumed?

Sesame seeds can be eaten raw or lightly toasted to enhance their flavor and make them more digestive. Thus, whole, they can be sprinkled on salads and other dishes, or on breads, muffins, etc.

Another way to consume it is in the form of a paste, which is called tahini. To prepare it at home you only need the raw seeds. You can do it with them or toast them a little before, stirring them in an iron pan for about 5 minutes, until you perceive their aroma. Let them cool and pass them through a powerful mixer until you get a paste. You can add a pinch of salt and a little virgin olive oil enters during the shake to make it more creamy.

With this paste you can spread toast bread or use it as the main ingredient in a dressing. You can, for example, make a sauce by mixing it with a little water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

Tahini is also an ingredient in chickpea hummus and eggplant babaganoush.