Sesame Seed Compound May Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risks

Dietary proteins has been shown by various previous studies to beneficially affect plasma cholesterol concentration and metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. Sesame seeds, which are a popular food worldwide, contain about 20% protein. Santinath Ghosh,from Calcutta University (India), and colleagues fed lab rats a high-cholesterol diet, and added sesame protein isolate as well. The team observed that  total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly reduced by addition of sesame protein isolate, and HDL cholesterol level increased by  41%. They also observed up to a 64% lowering of plasma lipid peroxidation, as well as up to 56% reductions in lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility.  The researchers conclude that: “[Sesame protein isolate] consumption can reduce cardiovascular disease by reducing LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and by increasing HDL cholesterol. As sesame is an important oil seed crop in various parts of the world, [sesame protein isolate] can be utilized in various food formulation for its beneficial effect.”