Deciphering Sesame as a Food Allergen

Sesame allergies may not receive as much publicity as other food allergens, but the reactions can be just as serious. Allergy due to ingestion of sesame seeds or oil engenders at times when the body’s immune system prompts an inverse reaction to the proteins available in these seeds. The allergic reactions to sesame seeds may range from gastrointestinal problems, hives and skin irritation to anaphylaxis.
Sensitivity to sesame is on the rise & its allergic reactions are surprisingly common. It is one of the most common seed allergen against the other potential seed allergens like sunflower, poppy and mustard. The growing popularity of sesame seeds as a convenience food has apparently contributed to its allergy rates in recent years. So if you have a sensitivity to sesame, be rest assured that you’re not alone.

Sesame as a Food Allergen

Sesame has been designated as a major allergen throughout Europe and the Middle East, Canada and Australia. This obligates the international food manufacturers to comply with the labelling requirements, and carefully handle the seeds while formulating their products.
Joining the league, US President Joe Biden recently signed legislation declaring sesame a major food allergen for the American market. The new law, called the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act requires all products that use sesame seeds or items derived from them to be explicitly labelled after Jan. 1, 2023. Now sesame seeds will join dairy, soy, wheat, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, fish and shellfish as an ingredient that must be specifically called out on food packaging.
The declaration of sesame seed as the 9th major food allergen had been a widely expected move. The FDA law directs the manufacturers to mandatorily declare sesame in the ingredient list when it is used as a "flavoring" or "spice" or when the common or usual name (such as tahini) does not specify sesame. This labelling compliance will make it safer for consumers who are allergic or sensitive to sesame to avoid these products.

Understanding Sesame Allergies

A sesame allergy is an allergy to the sesamum plant, including products that originate from the plant (like sesame seeds) or derived from the plant (like sesame oil). When someone has a sesame allergy, their immune system over-defends the body against sesame proteins, and causes the body to develop an allergic reaction whenever the person eats a food that contains sesame.
The immune system of sesame allergic people develop IgE antibodies, a special grade of allergy antibodies to fend off the sesame proteins. The IgE antibodies detects these proteins & trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction seconds to hours after the person eats a food containing sesame.

Rise in sesame allergies

Sesame seed is a prevalent & versatile ingredient found in a slew of comfort foods around the world. From Tahini to hummus and sushi to baked goods, sesame is widely popular in global cuisines for its zingy taste and nutty crunchiness. With an increased consumption of sesame based products, the rise in allergy rates is inevitable.

Sesame oil is a traditional cooking staple for the Middle Eastern and Asian food preparations for its neutral flavor & health promoting properties. The popularity of international cuisine is yet another reason to fuel the rise in sesame allergies.

If you have a reaction

Sesame intolerance varies from person to person, and its reactions can be unpredictable. The symptoms of a sesame allergy reaction may range from mild, such as hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Keeping an epinephrine injection device shall save you from the ensuing trouble at all times. Here are some common symptoms to let you detect if you have a sesame allergy or not:

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Low pulse rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Itchiness inside the mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Flushing in the face
• Hives

Diagnosing a sesame allergy

Should you suspect a food allergy and develop a symptom, make a note of what you consumed just prior to your reaction. This will help your healthcare provider narrow down the possible causes of the reaction and find an appropriate treatment.
Also, a food challenge is always incremental to identify the root-cause of the reaction. With food challenge, you may assess the reaction to the suspected food by consuming it in varying amounts.

Treating sesame allergies

People experiencing anaphylaxis, due to sesame may get an injected dose of Epinephrine to relieve the reaction. Epinephrine tends to reverse the course of an anaphylactic response. For dealing with severe reactions, you should always carry the auto-injectors that contains epinephrine, like an EpiPen. This will help you diagnose your sesame allergy in a timely manner.

Avoiding sesame intake

Some foods such as bread products containing sesame, sesame oil, and tahini, specifically list sesame as an ingredient. Avoiding contact with these items is a simple way to prevent an allergic reaction.
Sesame is a common hidden allergen in most of the countries. As it is not always listed on the food labels of products, you should better avoid foods that have ambiguous product labels and fail to specify ingredients.

Key Takeaways for the Sesame Sensitive

• Check food labels
• Seek medical advice
• Carry prescribed medication at all times
• Learn how and when to use your adrenaline auto-injector
• Ensure that asthma is well managed

Sesame Allergies - Dangers, Symptoms & Treatment

Sesame allergies may not receive as much publicity as other food allergens, but the reactions can be just as serious. Allergy due to ingestion of sesame seeds or oil engenders at times when the body’s immune system prompts an inverse reaction to the proteins available in these seeds. The allergic reactions to sesame seeds may range from gastrointestinal problems, hives and skin irritation to anaphylaxis.
Sensitivity to sesame is on the rise & its allergic reactions are surprisingly common. It is one of the most common seed allergen against the other potential seed allergens like sunflower, poppy and mustard. The growing popularity of sesame seeds as a convenience food has apparently contributed to its allergy rates in recent years. So if you have a sensitivity to sesame, be rest assured that you’re not alone.

Sesame as a Food Allergen

Sesame has been designated as a major allergen throughout Europe and the Middle East, Canada and Australia. This obligates the international food manufacturers to comply with the labelling requirements, and carefully handle the seeds while formulating their products.
Joining the league, US President Joe Biden recently signed legislation declaring sesame a major food allergen for the American market. The new law, called the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act requires all products that use sesame seeds or items derived from them to be explicitly labelled after Jan. 1, 2023. Now sesame seeds will join dairy, soy, wheat, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, fish and shellfish as an ingredient that must be specifically called out on food packaging.
The declaration of sesame seed as the 9th major food allergen had been a widely expected move. The FDA law directs the manufacturers to mandatorily declare sesame in the ingredient list when it is used as a "flavoring" or "spice" or when the common or usual name (such as tahini) does not specify sesame. This labelling compliance will make it safer for consumers who are allergic or sensitive to sesame to avoid these products.

Understanding Sesame Allergies

A sesame allergy is an allergy to the sesamum plant, including products that originate from the plant (like sesame seeds) or derived from the plant (like sesame oil). When someone has a sesame allergy, their immune system over-defends the body against sesame proteins, and causes the body to develop an allergic reaction whenever the person eats a food that contains sesame.
The immune system of sesame allergic people develop IgE antibodies, a special grade of allergy antibodies to fend off the sesame proteins. The IgE antibodies detects these proteins & trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction seconds to hours after the person eats a food containing sesame.

Rise in sesame allergies

Sesame seed is a prevalent & versatile ingredient found in a slew of comfort foods around the world. From Tahini to hummus and sushi to baked goods, sesame is widely popular in global cuisines for its zingy taste and nutty crunchiness. With an increased consumption of sesame based products, the rise in allergy rates is inevitable.

Sesame oil is a traditional cooking staple for the Middle Eastern and Asian food preparations for its neutral flavor & health promoting properties. The popularity of international cuisine is yet another reason to fuel the rise in sesame allergies.

If you have a reaction

Sesame intolerance varies from person to person, and its reactions can be unpredictable. The symptoms of a sesame allergy reaction may range from mild, such as hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Keeping an epinephrine injection device shall save you from the ensuing trouble at all times. Here are some common symptoms to let you detect if you have a sesame allergy or not:

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Low pulse rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Itchiness inside the mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Flushing in the face
• Hives

Diagnosing a sesame allergy

Should you suspect a food allergy and develop a symptom, make a note of what you consumed just prior to your reaction. This will help your healthcare provider narrow down the possible causes of the reaction and find an appropriate treatment.
Also, a food challenge is always incremental to identify the root-cause of the reaction. With food challenge, you may assess the reaction to the suspected food by consuming it in varying amounts.

Treating sesame allergies

People experiencing anaphylaxis, due to sesame may get an injected dose of Epinephrine to relieve the reaction. Epinephrine tends to reverse the course of an anaphylactic response. For dealing with severe reactions, you should always carry the auto-injectors that contains epinephrine, like an EpiPen. This will help you diagnose your sesame allergy in a timely manner.

Avoiding sesame intake

Some foods such as bread products containing sesame, sesame oil, and tahini, specifically list sesame as an ingredient. Avoiding contact with these items is a simple way to prevent an allergic reaction.
Sesame is a common hidden allergen in most of the countries. As it is not always listed on the food labels of products, you should better avoid foods that have ambiguous product labels and fail to specify ingredients.

Key Takeaways for the Sesame Sensitive

• Check food labels
• Seek medical advice
• Carry prescribed medication at all times
• Learn how and when to use your adrenaline auto-injector
• Ensure that asthma is well managed

7 Easy Ways to Cook With Sesame Seeds

Although small, sesame seeds are packed with nutrients such as healthy fats, protein, calcium, antioxidants and dietary fiber. The primary fats in the seeds are monounsaturated fatty acids called oleic acid. Oleic acid has been shown to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase the HDL ("good") cholesterol.

The seeds -- which are available in a range of colors, including white, black, red and yellow -- are sources of essential minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper. Did you know that ¼ cup of sesame seeds has more calcium (350mg) than an 8-ounce cup of milk (300mg)?
The nutrients in sesame seeds are better absorbed if they are pulverized, but eating them whole is by no means unhealthy.

Here are some simple ways to incorporate sesame seeds into your diet:

1. Sprinkle On Salads
Sesame seeds are a crunchy, natural addition to any delicious salad, whether it's Asian-inspired or any other kind. Simply sprinkle roasted or raw sesame seeds over a finished salad and enjoy! You can even complement their flavor with sesame dressing.

2. Whip up a Stir-Fry
Adding a crunch and nutrients to any stir-fry dish, sesame seeds are a staple in Asian food. Create your own take on Asian texture and flavor by stir-frying sesame seeds with your vegetables and meats or sprinkling them over your finished dish.

3. Bake Into Bread
Planning to make a homemade sweet or savory loaf? Throw some mixed seeds — including sesame seeds — into your dough to spice up your texture, add extra flavor and pack your bread with nutrients.

4. Use as a Healthy Breading Alternative
Next time you're reaching for the breadcrumbs to coat your friend fish or chicken, try covering your meat with sesame seeds and dry-frying it instead! It's healthy and delicious.

5. Cook Sesame Balls
Looking for a delightful, Asian-inspired treat featuring sesame seeds? Try this Chinese classic:

3 cups rice flour
2 1/2 slabs brown candy
1 cup sweetened red bean paste
2 quarts vegetable oil
1 cup white sesame seeds
Dissolve brown candy in a cup of boiling water and let cool overnight. Mix the candy water and rice flour until smooth but sticky. Then, roll the dough into a rope and cut into 24 pieces, forming each one into a ball and flattening it. Use your fingers to make the round pieces into cups, then fill each one with a teaspoon of the red bean paste.

Close the dough over the filling, seal well and roll into balls, then cover each ball in sesame seeds. Fry in a pot of boiling vegetable oil for six to eight minutes until the balls float. Serve warm.

6. Make Sesame Milk
Did you know you can make your own sesame milk to use in recipes? All you need is:

2 cups of water
1 cup of sesame seeds
Soak the sesame seeds in water overnight, then blend the mixture in a food processor until smooth. You can drink sesame milk plain or add it to your recipes!

7. Prepare Tahini
Tahini is a favorite Middle-Eastern paste or spread used in hummus and Mediterranean cuisine, and you can use sesame seeds to make your own. Here's how:

1 cup of hulled sesame seeds
2 to 4 tbsp. of canola oil or another neutral-flavored oil
Pinch of salt
First, toast the sesame seeds in a dry saucepan over medium-low for three to five minutes until fragrant and still light, stirring constantly. Next, add your seeds to a food processor and process until they blend into a slightly crumbly paste. Add your oil and process for two to three more minutes, occasionally stopping to check the consistency and scrape out the bottoms and sides of the processor. Add salt to taste. Your tahini should be smooth and slightly runny.

Buy Your Sesame Seeds at HL Agro Products
When it comes to sesame seed recipes and other ways to eat sesame seeds, HL Agro has the most natural, high-quality ingredients to incorporate into food formulations.

All-natural, raw Hulled Sesame seeds from HL Agro Products are perfect for making Tahini, Hummus, Halvah, or as a garnish for bread, stir-fries and salads. Browse our sesame seeds and book your batch today.

Sesame Seeds - Global Market Trends & Forecasts ( 2020-2022)

Sesame seed is preferred world over for its taste, aroma, color, crunchiness, and nutrients. Considered as one of the wonder foods of nature, sesame hosts an incredible array of nutrients including 50% fat, 23% carbohydrates, 18% protein and 12% dietary fiber. Increasingly, sesame seed usage has spread beyond bread and confectionary to a variety of food preparations as an important food ingredient.

World sesame seed production is estimated at around 4. 8 million tons with 10 countries - Myanmar, India, China, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Uganda, and Niger accounting for over 80% of the production. Africa collectively accounts for over 45% of the crop and in the last 10 years has grown in stature as a fast-growing supplier of sesame seed to the world market.

Of the global production, over two million tons are exported every year mainly to China (one million tons), Japan (150,000 tons), Turkey (150,000 tons), European Union (150,000 tons), South Korea (100,000 tons) and Vietnam (100,000 tons). USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE are other importers. Natural sesame seed and hulled are two popular forms in which most of the trade takes place.

Indian Sesame Crop 2020:

In a year of a record sowing and an anticipated higher crop, the sesame seed growers are staring at an uncertain future following the coronavirus-driven global trade disruptions. Farmers from Gujarat hopped onto the sesame-seed bandwagon this summer sowing season with cultivation area of the oilseed rising by three times over the past year.

The State Agriculture Department data showed sesame seed area jumped from 18,887 hectares (ha) last year to a 58,178 ha this summer sowing season, which usually begins in February. Experts look at this rise in acreage as a promising bet made by farmers on the oilseed with ample water availability and favorable climate.

Area, yield rise:

Sesame seed is an export-oriented crop, but it is a very sensitive crop requiring sufficient water and favourable climate. The state-wise production of sesame seeds during the winter season can be detailed as below:

Sesame Winter Crop 2020-21

Price Trend:

Farmers anticipated a higher yield amid favourable climatic and market conditions. But the export outlook remains uncertain due to the lockdown in India and abroad.

Sesame seed wholesale price averaged ₹11,113 per MT in Gujarat in April 2020, which was lower by about 19 per cent from ₹13,673 averaged for the same month last year. This is attributed to the higher crop outlook and bleak export prospects amid global trade disruptions.

Export & Import Volume:

Sesame Seed exports during April-January, 2019-20 declined to 2,31,941Metric Tons in comparison to 2,64,934Metric Tons during April-January, 2018-19. In value terms, Sesame Seed exports decreased to Rs. 3067.29 crores from Rs. 3097.79 crores.

Imports of Sesame Seed during the period April-January, 2019-20 have been about 1,09,291 metric tons in comparison to 87,538metric tons for full year 2018-19.

During the period of April-June 2020, the total sesame exports from India increased to 68,483.36 tons as against to 66,131.07 tons during April-June 2019. The monetary value of Indian sesame exports has been pruned to Rs. 846.15 crores from 913.58 crores. Import volume for April-June 2020 was estimated at 42650.35 tons in comparison to 55,085.95 tons during April-June 2019.

As Per the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) data, India exported 3.12 lakh tons of sesame seed worth ₹3,762 crore in 2018-19. For 2019-20 (April-January data), sesame seed exports stood at 2.32 lakh tons worth ₹3,067 crore.

India’s top sesame seed export destinations include the US (15,865 tons), South Korea (16,383 tons), Vietnam (15,389 tons), Russia (11,931 tons) and Netherlands (10,795 tons) for April-January period of 2019-20.

The overall sesame seed output is targeted at 10.17 lakh tons (for kharif season estimate), whereas the Second Advance Estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry in February shows projected sesame seed output at 6.64 lakh tons for the year 2019-20, which may be a tad lower than 6.9 lakh tons for previous year 2018-19.

Impact of COVID19 on Sesame seeds:

• Demand from Food Service & tourism segments: The absolute demand from QSR and tourism related segments impacted while demand from Edible Oil segment mounted high than the pre-COVID levels.
• Uncertainty in Demand: Sudden lockdowns are inversely impacting the demand forecasts of sesame buyers. Most of them buying hand-to-mouth, are now asking for prompt shipments.
• Logistics Congestion: Severe impact on Container availability due to the sudden disparity in Import and Export volumes, are leading to higher lead time for Indian Exporters.
• Policy changes: Amid the corona crisis, the Indian govt. has made significant changes in the food processing and distribution policies. With a major focus on dealing with Pandemic and distribution of essential food commodity to the poor, least attention is on trade/exports resulting in slower refunds of Tax and Incentives and leading to liquidity crunch.

 Impact of ETO issue:

• Suspension of Exports: Indian side has suspended Exports to the EU for want of clarity on testing methods and harmonization of sampling and testing in India and the EU.

• Latest update: Continuous dialogue on both sides is expected to resolve the issue in the coming weeks.

Market Forecasts for 2021-2025:

• The global sesame seed market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% over the forecast period (2021-2025).
• Across the world, there is a growing appetite for healthy ingredients in diets among consumers, especially the millennial population across North America and Europe. The nutritional profile of these seeds has gained consumer attraction over the last few years.
• The growing demand for super foods among health-conscious consumers is driving the demand for the sesame seed market. However, price fluctuations and allergies associated with the commodity are holding back the growth of sesame seeds.
• The drivers identified in the sesame seed market are consumption patterns and increasing health awareness, increasing demand across nations, and advancements and innovations in terms of hybrids. The restraints identified in the market are international price fluctuations, strong international competition, and salmonella risk in sesame seed.
• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic compelled the consumers to rethink their consumption patterns which has led to the growth in demand for healthy ingredients, which has created an opportunity for sesame seeds as ingredients to various food and personal care products. However, the disruptions in trade has created a decline in the initial months of the year. The market is anticipated to grow in the future.
• Indian sesame seeds crop to surge in the forecasted period.
• Ascribing to the coronavirus-driven global trade disruptions, the sesame producers are anticipating an uncertain market for an inordinate yield of sesame seeds in India.
• Cultivation area of the oilseed has risen by three times over the past year. Indian Farmers shall milk the benefits of higher acreage this summer harvesting season.
• Water availability is good, prices are remunerative for the farmers, so a larger yield is expected in India.

HL Agro Founder among Padma Shri Awardees 2021

Mr. Ashok Sahu, the founder of Vipassana Meditation Centre & HL Agro Products has made Kanpur proud by winning India’s fourth largest civilian honour Padma Shri for nurturing and promoting the indigenous Art of Living meditation & contributing to the community welfare. As per the notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, he was adjudged for his exceptional & distinguished services in the field of medicine and meditation. He is the chief trustee of International Dhamma Kalyana Meditation Centre situated on the outskirts of Kanpur city.

The recipients for the Padma Awards were announced on January 25, ahead of the Republic Day 2021. A proponent of Vipassana meditation, Mr. Ashok Sahu, an Economics post-graduate from PPN Degree College, has been active in social work ever since he joined his family business. His passion bore fruit with the creation of Vipassana Meditation Centre in the year 2010. The charitable meditation centre imparts meditation and self-discipline techniques in 47 different languages and helps people to come across stress & violent tendencies.

Mr. Ashok Sahu has been making people understand the value of living and empowering them to combat the universal ills of anger, stress, depression & addiction. He has transformed the centre into an international transcendental meditation institution continuously upgrading it with the best-in-class facilities & latest technology to facilitate the induction and sessions of Vipassana seekers from different countries. Over 16,000 people from countries like USA, Japan, China, Austria, Denmark, Iran, Russia etc have drawn distinct psychological benefits from these therapies so far.

Explaining the scale & inclusivity of this practice, he said, “Buddha never taught a sectarian religion, he taught dhamma- the way to liberation – which is universal and presented his teachings open to people of all faiths or no faith. Liberation in this context means freedom from impurities of mind and, as a result freedom from suffering.” 

International Dhamma Kalyan Meditation Centre has earned special accolades from the President Shree Ram Nath Kovind & UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath. Mr. Sahu was lauded for his noble vision and yeoman services during their visit to the Centre last year.

Mr. Sahu, feels honored to have been chosen for the Padma Shri. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Awards like these encourage and give responsibility to us to do even better. I am happy that years of my work in this oldest Buddhist meditation has been recognized. I see it as an achievement for the growth of Vipassana and hope this would mean more thrust would be placed on the promotion of this unique science for mental peace, dynamism and personal wellness.” “I have always felt that such an honour though awarded to an individual is a recognition of teamwork. In my case, this is an honour for the great work done by the entire team at the Dhamma Kalyana Centre, Kanpur,” he added.

The Padma Awards are the highest civilian awards in the country and comprise of three categories based on the scale of the awardee's achievement - the highest being Padma Vibhushan, followed by Padma Bhushan, and lastly, Padma Shri. The Padma Vibhushan awards were conferred to 7 awardees, the Padam Bhushan to 10 and the Padma Shri awards were conferred to 102 awardees this year.

Mr. Ashok Sahu hails from a joint business family of Kanpur. In addition to the Dhamma Kalyana Meditation Centre, he is also the co-founder of HL Agro Products Pvt. Ltd, the food processing company for sesame seeds, starch & corn products.

For more information on the International Dhamma Kalyana Meditation Centre, Kanpur, please visit: http://www.dhammakalyana.org/

9 Untold Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds

Every Indian kitchen has sesame seeds or commonly known as Til. Sesame seed are traditionally used by our ancestors to get the health benefits from it. Though presently, these are not much incorporated in our dishes to the extent they were used before. These seeds are the powerhouse of vitamins and minerals as they are excellent source of calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, copper, vitamin B complex and is high in fiber, protein and antioxidants.

I love sesame seeds! I love how it enhances the taste of the cuisine over which they are sprinkled. These seeds are not only used in Indian cuisines, but the burger buns even have sesame seed scattered over them while baking. These seeds give you a nutty flavour. And when these buns are used to make burgers, the sources provide a great taste to it and turn out to be a great combination. Who said Burgers are unhealthy! A sprinkle of sesame seed over the burger buns make it a healthy treat for everyone. While eating a sesame seed bun burger at Burger King and McDonald’s, we are adding the nutrition of seeds into our health.

Today, not only small restaurants but also 5 -star restaurants serve the dishes with added sesame seeds. Who does not know about Honey Chilly Potatoes or has never tasted it? No one, right. Honey Chilly Potatoes are topped with these seeds to enhance the dish’s taste. And yes, the seeds play a significant role in the taste of this dish. Every High-Profile Restaurant serves this dish with sesame seed.

I just liked the taste and crunch it adds to the burger buns or any dish but now after getting to know about its health benefits. I will love to add sesame seeds in my diet every day. Let me share some health benefits of sesame seeds with you.

Good for hair and skin

Sesame seed and the oil of it provides us with the nutrition that helps to attain a glowing skin and fair hair strength. The folic acid present in the seeds will promote hair growth and healthy skin. You can use its oil once in a week to get the best results.

Bone strength

As we say, “stronger the bones, stronger you are” this is why you should take care of your bones. The calcium present in the seeds further helps in making stronger bones. And the zinc present in the seeds even strengthens the structure of the bones. Making you into a healthy being.

Controls Blood Sugar levels

The seeds are packed with high protein, healthy fat and fewer carbohydrates which makes it work as a natural blood sugar regulator. Not only the seeds but its oil even serves this purpose well. So, to have control over your blood sugar add these nutritional seeds into your diet and be healthy.

 Blood pressure control

The fats present in the seeds and its oil helps in controlling the blood pressure. It also prevents hypertension.

High energy source

They are a good source of energy as the seeds contain Omega 3 fat. It also has fiber, protein, calcium, iron and magnesium that are great at providing you with the energy.

Reduces respiratory issues

These healthy seeds contain magnesium which helps in the cure of respiratory problems and it also contains copper which helps in rheumatoid arthritis. It also prevents spasm in the airway of an asthma patient.

Promotes Thyroid health

Our thyroid glands have a high amount of selenium. Sesame seeds contain 18 % of the selenium which helps the thyroid gland in producing the thyroid hormone. The iron, zinc, copper and vitamin B6 present in the seeds is an excellent aid in hormone production.

Boosts Immunity

Immunity is something that should be strong enough to fight any health issues. Eating the sesame seeds will boost your immunity with the zinc content present in them as zinc activate T-lymphocytes, which are part of the immunity system.

Improves Mental health

The seed oil, when consumed, helps in producing serotonin which is a chemical that can lead to depression and stress if any imbalance occurs, so the seeds help in maintaining a balance of this chemical. You can even use sesame seed oil to massage to reduce headache.

By simply adding this small powerhouse of vitamins and minerals in your daily diet, you can see a healthy you and with a healthy body, you can see a happy you. Do not go over the size of these seeds as there are big things in this small package. So, enjoy these little crunchy and nutty seeds traditionally in the form of Ladoos and otherwise in your salads, chicken, vegetables, smoothies and yes, not to forget burgers.

Liquid Glucose & its viable substitutes

Who does not want to satisfy their sweet tooth without having to worry about consuming extra calories or gaining weight? The urge to stay mentally and physically fit, while eating the food you like make us look for alternatives that have fewer calories and are easily available. Likewise, liquid glucose is commonly used as a food additive or as an ingredient in many cooked food items or baked items throughout the world. Also known as glucose syrup, this starch sugar keeps the food moist, sweet and helps to keep it fresh for a longer time period. Here is all you need to know about liquid glucose or if they have a good substitute or not:

Decoding the corn derivative sweetener

Liquid glucose is actually sugar in the form of syrup. The corn derivative syrup is a staple pantry ingredient that’s manufactured in industries using corn starch and by running it through few chemical reactions. Glucose syrup is essentially used in commercial food production for thickening the food, as a moisture-absorbing agent, or as a sweetening agent. It helps to enhance the taste of things such as candies or other food items of such sort. Liquid glucose is often derived from corn or other starchy foods and has little nutritional value. Sugar in the form of liquid glucose, can be healthfully enjoyed in moderation. Its excessive consumption however makes you prone to obesity, high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and poor dental health.

Fast Facts about LG:

Liquid Glucose also known as corn syrup is highly viscous and sticky in nature. This starch sugar is extensively used in bakery and confectionery preparations for its ability to control sweetening. The functional prowess of liquid glucose extends to:

• Lowers freezing point
• Keeps food products soft and fresh.
• Excellent food preservative
• Provides body and cohesiveness.

Why do we need Liquid Glucose Substitutes:

Corn sweeteners  isn’t exactly the healthiest ingredient out there, as many of us are cutting back on the added sugar to curb their calorie intake and maintain a healthier diet. Allergies are another common reason one may wish to find alternatives to this corn sweetener. Being allergic to corn can be extremely challenging with so many ingredients, including high-fructose corn syrup and regular corn syrup, being derived from corn. And last but not least, you may simply want a convenient liquid glucose substitute you can whip out of your pantry when you have nothing else available.

What are the Possible Substitutes for Liquid Glucose?

To be honest, there aren’t many products that can be used as an adequate substitute for liquid glucose. However, you can use these few options to get a similar effect as you get by using liquid glucose:

Boiled Sugar: Consider using boiled sugar. There are many stages through which the usual type of sugar passes before it reaches caramelizes when heated. The point where sugar changes into a softball can be used as an alternative to liquid glucose. All you need to do is to take one cup of sugar and enough water to cover all of it. Put it in a pan and a pinch of salt and cream of tartar, bring the mixture to boil and remove from flame when it reaches the softball stage.

Honey: Honey may be high in calories and sugar, but it makes a great substitute for corn syrup – especially light corn syrup – and does come with some health benefits. It might bring a twist in your recipe and will change the taste and flavor of the dish, but you can give it a try if you want to avoid using the glucose sugar.

Molasses: Else you can use molasses to add a rich, sweet but slightly burnt flavor to baked goods and savory dishes. The taste won’t be changed markedly, but the color of the dish will definitely be a bit darker.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup does have a rather distinctive flavor, but if you don’t mind a more earthy addition to your recipe, this makes a great substitute with a good level of sweetness and a similar consistency to starch sugar.

Brown rice syrup: Brown rice syrup though couldn’t be regarded as “healthy”, yet it is less calorific than other options on this list.  The rice syrup made from 100% glucose and no fructose, is a good substitute if you’re looking to cut back on the calories or fructose intake as much as possible.

Agave Nectar: A one-to-one substitution, agave syrup (aka agave nectar) has a mild flavor that works great in most recipes that call for corn syrup. Often used in vegan cooking, baking, and candy making, liquid agave works as a liquid glucose substitute, with a similar sweetness though a slightly thinner texture.

Why opt for Glucose Syrup?

Since there isn’t any perfect alternative to glucose syrup, it would be recommended for you to use liquid glucose. It is an ideal additive for sweets, confectionery, biscuits, ice-creams, jams, jellies due to its moderate sweetness and nutritive value. No matter how hard you try, you are going to consume sweeteners in one way or the other. It is better to use something genuine rather than using something artificial that can harm your health. However, the regulation of intake amount can surely help you stay healthy even if you are using the glucose syrup.

Where to Buy a Good-Quality Liquid Glucose?

The question of where to buy liquid glucose from is of much more important than looking up for the substitutes of it. HL Agro is one such seasoned manufacturer that markets a premium range of liquid glucose syrups with high-brix for various end uses. Years of industry experience, large capacity, strong clientele and consistent performance invariably place HL agro in a pole position. The company brings the supreme quality of liquid glucose that is hygienically processed, packed & stringently quality tested to supplement the perfect flavors, volume & textures to the baked goods, candy, fondants and cold beverages alike.