Niger seed oil has been recognized for its many impressive effects on human health, particularly its ability to speed healing, protect the skin, improve heart health, help with weight gain, aid sleep, stimulate circulation, and reduce inflammation, among others.

Sleep Aid

Magnesium, potassium and zinc are some of the key minerals that are found in niger seed oil, and they can also affect the hormonal levels in the body. These minerals can help to stabilize Circadian rhythms and induce the release of certain neurotransmitters that the body needs for proper rest, particularly magnesium. If you are suffering from insomnia or chronic restlessness while sleeping, try to add some niger seed oil and benefit from its many minerals.

Improves Heart Health
When you replace typical vegetable oils with things like niger seed oil or sunflower seed oil, you are able to improve your cholesterol balance, because these oils possess high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid. This can help lower your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which can further prevent heart attacks and strokes. The anti-inflammatory effects of these healthy fats can also help lower blood pressure and generally reduce the strain on your cardiovascular system.

Skin Care

If you are looking for a good solution for scars, burns, rashes or skin irritation, niger seed oil is an excellent option. The antioxidants found in this oil can help to stimulate the healing process and soothe inflammation. They can also prevent infections in the skin by boosting the immune reactivity at the site of wounds or lacerations. Antioxidants also neutralize free radicals, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

Speeds Up Healing

The mineral and vitamin composition of niger seed oil makes it ideal for stimulating healing and regrowth of cells and tissues. Protein, fiber, riboflavin, vitamin C and other carbohydrates compacted in this oil are essential for the healing process, so adding this to your diet can do far more than help with your cholesterol issues. When recovering from an injury or surgery, consider switching to this oil for your culinary needs.

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They say that in the 8th or 9th century a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats getting very frisky from nibbling red berries off some wild shrubs. He chewed some himself and enjoyed the buzz. Next someone (possibly monks) tossed some coffee berries in a fire and loved the scent. Slowly coffee as we know it today began to be drunk. Arab traders took the beans home and by the 15th century coffee had made its way to Europe and cafe society was born. For an engrossing and  detailed history of coffee check out a fascinating 3 part Canadian documentary series called Black Coffee.

Coffee production in Ethiopia

Coffee production in Ethiopia is a longstanding tradition which dates back to dozens of centuries. Ethiopia is where Coffea arabica, the coffee plant, originates.The plant is now grown in various parts of the world; Ethiopia itself accounts for around 3% of the global coffee market. Coffee is important to the economy of Ethiopia; around 60% of foreign income comes from coffee, with an estimated 15 million of the population relying on some aspect of coffee production for their livelihood.In 2006, coffee exports brought in $350 million,equivalent to 34% of that year’s total exports

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Sesame seeds are extremely beneficial for health but are often overlooked. They include the ability to prevent diabetes, lower blood pressure, prevent a wide variety of cancers, build strong bones, protect against radiation, and an improve the heart health. They also help to cure sleep disorders, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, boost respiratory health, and aid in dental care. These powerful seeds improve blood circulation, detoxify the body, and eliminate depression and chronic stress.

What are Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds are derived from a plant of the Sesamum genus and bear the scientific name of Sesamum indicum. These seeds are considered the oldest oilseed crop in the world and have been cultivated for more than 3,500 years. Evidence of their native forms in Africa and India. The sesame plant is extremely resilient and grows in places where many other crops fail, which is why it was so heavily relied on throughout the ages.

Although it is a seed plant, it can still bother people with allergies and has a distinctly nutty flavor. Many of the health benefits are derived from the oils, which are found in higher concentration in sesame seeds than in any other oilseed crop in the world. The sesame plant is not more than 3 feet tall and the seeds are released from small pods along the plants’ axes.

The seeds themselves are very small, only 3-4 mm long and 2 mm wide, yet 3.85 million metric tons are produced every year. They come in a wide variety of colors, depending on the variety or strain of the sesame plant. These seeds can be purchased either shelled or unshelled. They are commonly added to salads as an ingredient or topping for bread and grain products, crackers, sushi, cakes, soups, breading for fish and meat, and a wide variety of other applications.

Sesame Seeds Nutrition Facts

The health benefits of sesame seeds are due to their nutritional content, including vitamins, minerals, natural oils, and organic compounds which consist of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, zinc, fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, protein, and tryptophan.

Reduce Hypertension

The natural oils of sesame seeds have been connected to a reduction in hypertension in a number of research studies, which reduces the strain on your cardiovascular system and help to prevent various cardiac conditions. Furthermore, magnesium has long been known as a vasodilator (an agent that reduces blood pressure) and these seeds are packed with this essential mineral, containing up to 25% of your daily requirement in a single serving.

Prevent Cancer

With the wide range of essential vitamins and minerals in sesame seeds, it is no surprise that it has been linked to a reduction in the risk of cancer. Beyond the role of these common minerals, including the powerful anti-carcinogenic effects of magnesium, the seeds of sesame also contain phytate, an uncommon cancer-preventing compound that functions as an antioxidant and reduces the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that have been connected to many forms of cancer and various other conditions like heart diseases, premature aging, and cognitive malfunctions. Sesame seeds have also been linked to leukemia, breast, lung, pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancers for its positive effects.

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