Who Should Not Take Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds contain fibre, but people with weak digestive systems should not consume them; here is why!

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Written By: Tavishi Dogra | Updated : October 11, 2024 4:12 PM IST

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Medically Verified By: Dr Chanchal Sharma

Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) is still used worldwide today for its nutritional benefits. Sesame is also an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, dietary fibre, and minerals containing essential nutrients. They are also known as a warming food due to their pitta-increasing qualities (heat in the body)! This is good for the cold seasons or Vata and Kapha dosha (Air and Earthwater element) predominance but not so good if Pitta dominates you. Therefore, it should only be taken after consultations with an Ayurvedic doctor.

Signs And Symptoms Of Higher Pitta

  1. Excessive body heat
  2. Rashes, inflammation and other skin conditions
  3. Heartburn or acid reflux
  4. Irritability or anger

Ayurvedic Qualities of Sesame:

  1. Rasa: sweet
  2. Virya: hot
  3. Vipaka: sweet
  4. Effect on doshas: it can balance Kapha and Vata but has a problem with pitta.

Let Us See Who Should Not Take Sesame Seeds:

  1. People who are trying to manage their weight: While too many Sesame Seeds are probably not going to throw you into a tailspin or add so many calories that coloured water into the drink, it does nothing but make it more difficult for those who have weight controlling objectives in mind. Also, for people following a calorie-restricted diet for weight management these seeds are exceptionally calorically dense, so if you enjoy using sesame in your daily meals, it is fine as long as it is in controlled portions and doesn't push you over your total calories per day.
  2. People with kidney-related issues: Sesame seeds fall behind other foods in terms of having the highest amounts of oxalates, but for those who already tend to be sensitive to them, this could lead to some problems. Those who develop calcium oxalate kidney stones should take heed of their consumption of sesame seeds, especially in large and regular quantities.
  3. People allergic to sesame seeds: Sesame seeds cause a significant reaction, so the allergic individual should avoid them. They can cause rashes, hives, vomiting, nausea, etc. The protein content present in them can activate the production of antibodies.
  4. People with a weak digestive system: You must have been aware of the fibre content found in sesame seeds, but people with weak digestive systems can have issues digesting the outer shell of these seeds. They might suffer from bloating, acidity, gut issues, etc.

Sesame seeds have lots of health benefits. There are still specific categories of people who should not take sesame seeds. You should always consult a healthcare professional before using sesame seeds.