A spoonful of sesame paste is better than three pieces of fish
The nutritional effects of sesame are very similar to those of fish.
According to a report in "Modern Family Newspaper," fish is exceptionally nutritious, ranking among the top in meat products. However, it's hard to imagine that the humble sesame paste is comparable in nutritional value to fish, and they share many similar health benefits in terms of diet and therapy.
Brain Health: Fish is rich in omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, known as "brain gold," which is excellent for brain health, enhancing intelligence, and promoting children's intellectual development. Sesame paste also has excellent brain-boosting effects because, like fish, it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acid content in 100 grams of sesame paste is more than 13 times that of a yellow croaker and 33 times that of a grass carp!
Heart Health and Cholesterol Reduction: Eating fish protects the heart and cardiovascular system, benefits that also come from its rich unsaturated fatty acids. The abundant unsaturated fatty acids in sesame paste have the same effect. One spoonful of sesame paste (about 20 grams) contains more fatty acids than half a jin (250g) of grass carp and carp!
High in Calcium: Sesame paste is also relatively high in calcium, with 612 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams, far exceeding common calcium-rich foods like milk and tofu.
Blood-Nourishing Superfood: Sesame paste also contains relatively rich amounts of iron and folic acid. Both are essential raw materials for blood production. Nearly a quarter of the population in China suffers from iron-deficiency anemia, making it very necessary to supplement with iron-rich foods.
Preventing Diabetes and Hypertension: Sesame paste is also high in zinc and potassium, two minerals that play a significant role in preventing and managing diabetes and hypertension: zinc is involved in the synthesis and degradation of insulin; while potassium helps relax blood vessels and promotes sodium excretion, which is beneficial for blood pressure health.
Antioxidant and Anti-teratogenic: Two vitamins in sesame paste cannot be overlooked: vitamin E and folic acid. The former has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, so regular consumption of sesame paste can enhance the body's disease resistance and delay aging; folic acid is not only a raw material for blood production but also an essential nutrient for the development of the fetal neural tube. For women, eating a little sesame paste daily while trying to conceive and continuing until the third month of pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.