Written by Jessica Patella, ND. In this study, sesame protein isolate is associated with decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, and increases in HDL cholesterol.
Sesame seeds are most commonly grown to make oil, but a new use for the seeds is on the horizon. Sesame seed contains 20% protein and sesame protein isolate contains at least 90% protein (1). Sesame seeds are unique because of their low price and high nutritional quality (2). Recent research discovered sesame protein lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and increases HDL levels (2).
The estimated cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in 2009 was $475.3 billion (3). Due to the large economic burden and that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in America; the current research on sesame seeds shows promise in decreasing risk factors for heart disease (4, 2).
The current research included 28 rats that were fed the same diet for one week (18% casein, 20% soybean oil, 4% salt, 3% cellulose, 55% cornstarch). After the 1-week period, the rats were divided into 4 groups of 7 animals and fed different diets for 28 days. The diets for each group were as follows:
- Group 1 (SPI) received diets containing 18% sesame protein isolate.
- Group 2 (CAS) received diets containing 18% casein protein (milk protein).
- Group 3 (SPI-C) received the same diet as group 1 (SPI) with an additional 2% cholesterol added.
- Group 4 (CAS-C) received the same diet as group 2 (CAS) with an additional 2% cholesterol added.
The remaining components of the diet were the same for each group (20% soybean oil, 4% salt, 3% cellulose, 55% cornstarch). The protein content in the sesame groups (SPI & SPI-C) was 91.5% and the protein content in the casein groups (CAS & CAS-C) was 95.7% (2).
The total cholesterol in the sesame protein only group decreased 25% compared to the casein group (SPI 41.73 +/- 2.32; CAS 55.94 +/- 1.05 mg/dL; P<0.05). The total cholesterol in the sesame plus cholesterol group decreased 29% compared to the casein plus cholesterol group (SPI-C 84.0 +/- 5.72; CAS-C 119.77 +/- 10.54 mg/dL; P<0.05).
The triglycerides in the sesame protein only group decreased 27.5% compared to the casein group (SPI 39.54 +/- 2.94; CAS 54.50 +/- 3.6 mg/dL; P<0.05). The triglycerides in the sesame plus cholesterol group decreased 48% compared to the casein plus cholesterol group (SPI-C 45.25+/- 3.91; CAS-C 86.84 +/- 2.14 mg/dL; P<0.05).
The LDL cholesterol in the sesame protein only group decreased 25% compared to the casein group (SPI 13.66 +/- 1.27; CAS 18.32 +/- 2.27 mg/dL; P<0.05). The LDL cholesterol in the sesame plus cholesterol group decreased 38% compared to the casein plus cholesterol group (SPI-C 66.13 +/- 5.41; CAS-C 106.46 +/- 9.46 mg/dL; P<0.05).
The HDL cholesterol in the sesame protein group increased 41% compared to the casein group (SPI 25.74 +/- 2.65; CAS 18.25+/- 2.29 mg/dL; P<0.05). The HDL cholesterol in the sesame plus cholesterol group increased 152% compared to the casein plus cholesterol group (SPI-C 14.66 +/- 1.03; CAS-C 5.82 +/- 0.33 mg/dL; P<0.05).
In this study, sesame protein isolate is associated with decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, and increases in HDL cholesterol. It is not completely understood how sesame protein causes these results. Although it is thought that the high levels of the amino acids methionine, arginine, and glycine play a role (2). It is also possible that the higher levels of antioxidants in sesame compared to casein are the reason for the difference in results (2).
Further research needs to be conducted to determine if sesame protein would have similar associations in humans. The sesame protein isolate used in this study was made by the researchers and is not commercially available, but consumption of sesame seeds will provide 20% of this protein, by weight.
Source: Biswas, Arundhati, Pubali Dhar, and Santinath Ghosh. “Antihyperlipidemic effect of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolate in rats fed a normal and high cholesterol diet.” Journal of food science 75.9 (2010): H274-H279.
Copyright © 1999-2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Posted January 19, 2011.
References:
- Inyang & Ekanam. Effect o dehulling methods and desolventizing temperatures on proximate composition of some functional properties of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed flower. 1996. J Am Oil Chem Soc 73:1133-6.
- Biaswas, et al. Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Protein Isolate in Rats Fed a Normal and High Cholesterol Diet. 2010. J Food Sci.
- Cardiovascular Disease Cost. American Heart Association.
- Heart Attack and Angina Statistics. American Heart Association.
