A study published in the Journal of Nutrition (2006; 136(5):1270–1275) examined the effects of powdered sesame seed ingestion in postmenopausal women. This randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study involved 24 postmenopausal women. Participants consumed either 50 grams of sesame seed powder or a placebo consisting of rice powder daily for five weeks. After a three-week washout period, the groups crossed over and received the alternate intervention.
Sesame seeds contain sesamin, a lignan that can be metabolized by intestinal bacteria into enterolactone, a compound with estrogenic activity. During the sesame seed intervention phase, participants experienced a 5% reduction in total cholesterol and a 10% decrease in the LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. Additional findings included an 18% reduction in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), a 23% decrease in thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) in oxidized LDL, and a 72% increase in urinary 2-hydroxyestrone. Serum sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) increased by 15% during the sesame seed phase.
The study also reported increases in the ratios of gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol relative to total cholesterol, suggesting changes in antioxidant status. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that sesame seed powder intake was associated with favorable changes in lipid profiles, oxidative markers, and hormone-related parameters in postmenopausal women.
Educational note:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
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