Nuts about nut butter?
You’re going to love tahini.
And it’s way more versatile.
It’s just as good drizzled over greens as it is starring in a cookie recipe.
What is tahini?
Not so sure about this whole sesame-seed-butter business?
Well, if you’ve ever had hummus, then you’ve had tahini.
Besides chickpeas, tahini is one of the main ingredients of hummus.
Don’t get us wrong, though, tahini is so much more than a behind-the-scenes ingredient.
It shines as a salad dressing, swirled into blondies, or simply spread on toast.
Sweet or savory, tahini does it all.
you’re free to even buychocolate tahini spreads.
Ingredient-wise, tahini is just the paste ofcrushed sesame seeds;that’s it.
5 benefits of eating tahini.
Read on for all the science-backed reasons to drizzle this superfood ingredient on every meal.
It’s good for your heart.
Sesame seeds, the primary component of tahini, are known for their heart-healthy benefits.
They work by inhibitingcholesterol production3in the body and blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol.
It’s may help fight inflammation.
It’s becoming increasingly clear thatinflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases.
But, just as a poor diet can cause inflammation, a good diet can fight it.
Eating more antioxidant- and polyphenol-rich foods can fight free radicals, which cancalm inflammation."
That’s where tahini comes in.
The antioxidants in tahini, especially sesamin and sesamolin, can helpfight inflammation4.
Other lab studies have shown that the antioxidants in sesame seedsinhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines5.
It’s packed with healthy fats.
Don’t let the high-fat content of tahini scare youit’s all healthy fats.
That’s because it supports brain function,heart health6, and satiety.
It’s a good nondairy source of calcium.
You probably associate calcium with milk and strong bones.
Adults should aim to get about1,000 mg of calcium per day8.
Not to worry, there are plenty of plant-based sources of calcium, including sesame seeds.
Just 2 tablespoons of tahini provide almost 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.
It makes your skin glow.
Looking to get glowing skin?
Look no further than tahini.
The nutrient composition of tahini makes it particularly well-suited for supporting skin health.
Plus, tahini containszinc, a building block of the all-important-for-glowing-skin collagen.Collagenis what keeps our skin elastic and supple.
Tahini is also a source of plant-based iron.
How to add tahini to your diet.
Tahini is like the cool older cousin of your favorite nut butters.
Or combine it withcacao and honeyfor a sweet morning spread.
Just be wary of sesame allergies when sharing your new favorite ingredient with friends.
