Researchers looked at six studies involving 465 people to see if sesame supplements could help people with high blood pressure. The studies lasted 4 to 8 weeks and measured changes in weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. While sesame showed some promising improvements in body weight and cholesterol levels, the researchers found the evidence wasn’t strong enough to make confident recommendations. They emphasized that more rigorous studies are needed before doctors can confidently suggest sesame as a treatment for high blood pressure.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating sesame supplements could help people with high blood pressure or prehypertension (slightly elevated blood pressure) by improving their blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels.
  • Who participated: 465 people total across six different studies who had either prehypertension (blood pressure slightly higher than normal) or diagnosed high blood pressure. Studies lasted between 4 and 8 weeks.
  • Key finding: Sesame supplements appeared to reduce body weight by about 3 points on the BMI scale, lower total cholesterol by about 49 mg/dL, and reduce triglycerides (a type of fat in blood) by about 55 mg/dL. However, the researchers rated this evidence as ‘very low quality,’ meaning we can’t be confident these results are real.
  • What it means for you: While sesame shows some potential benefits, it’s too early to recommend it as a treatment for high blood pressure. Don’t replace your blood pressure medication with sesame supplements. Talk to your doctor before adding sesame supplements to your routine, especially if you take blood pressure medications.

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers searched for all published studies about sesame and blood pressure, then combined the results from six studies to see the overall pattern. They looked for studies published up to August 2024 that tested sesame supplements in people with high blood pressure or prehypertension.

The six studies they found were relatively short (4 to 8 weeks long) and involved a total of 465 people. Researchers measured several health markers including blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels, and substances in the blood that indicate inflammation or stress on cells.

To evaluate how trustworthy the studies were, the researchers used two standard tools: the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (which checks if studies were done properly) and the GRADE approach (which rates how confident we can be in the results).

This approach is important because individual small studies can sometimes show results by chance. By combining multiple studies, researchers can see if the findings are consistent and reliable. However, the quality of the combined results depends on how well each individual study was conducted.

The researchers found several problems that made them rate the evidence as ‘very low quality’: the studies were small, they lasted only 4-8 weeks (which is short for seeing real health changes), the results varied a lot between studies (high heterogeneity), and some of the improvements seemed unrealistically large. These issues mean we should be cautious about trusting these results.

What the Results Show

Sesame supplements appeared to reduce body mass index (a measure of weight relative to height) by about 3 points, which would be meaningful if real. Total cholesterol dropped by about 49 mg/dL, and triglycerides (a type of blood fat) decreased by about 55 mg/dL. These are the kinds of changes doctors look for when treating heart disease risk.

The studies also found that sesame increased a protective enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which helps fight cellular damage. This suggests sesame might reduce oxidative stress, which is linked to heart disease.

However, sesame did not significantly affect LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) or another marker of cellular damage called malondialdehyde. Blood pressure improvements were also modest and not statistically significant in most studies.

The increase in the protective enzyme superoxide dismutase was consistent across studies, suggesting sesame may have some antioxidant effects. However, the lack of effect on LDL cholesterol and malondialdehyde suggests the benefits may be limited or that sesame works through different mechanisms than expected.

This is one of the first comprehensive reviews combining multiple sesame studies for blood pressure. Previous research on sesame has been scattered and small. This meta-analysis attempts to provide a clearer picture, but the very low quality of evidence means it doesn’t definitively answer whether sesame works better than we already knew.

The biggest limitation is that all six studies were small and short (only 4-8 weeks). Real health improvements often take months to appear. The studies also varied a lot in how they conducted their research, what type of sesame they used, and how much they gave people. Some results seemed too good to be true, which made researchers suspicious. Additionally, most studies didn’t clearly describe their methods, making it hard to judge if they were done properly. The researchers couldn’t find information about the journal’s impact factor, which would help assess the credibility of the publication.

The Bottom Line

Based on very low-quality evidence, sesame supplements may help with weight and cholesterol, but we cannot confidently recommend them for treating high blood pressure. If you’re interested in trying sesame, discuss it with your doctor first. Do not stop taking blood pressure medications to try sesame instead. Proven approaches like reducing salt, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight remain the best strategies.

People with prehypertension or high blood pressure might be interested in this research. However, anyone taking blood pressure medications should talk to their doctor before adding supplements. People with sesame allergies should avoid sesame supplements entirely. This research is not relevant for people with normal blood pressure.

The studies only lasted 4-8 weeks, so that’s the only timeframe we have data for. Real improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol typically take 4-12 weeks to appear, but longer studies are needed to see if benefits last.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you try sesame supplements with your doctor’s approval, track your blood pressure daily at the same time each day (morning is best) and record your weight weekly. Also note your cholesterol levels at doctor visits. Use the app to log sesame supplement intake and correlate it with blood pressure readings over 8-12 weeks.
  • Add a daily reminder to take sesame supplements at the same time each day if your doctor recommends them. Log the amount taken and any side effects. Combine this with proven habits like reducing salt intake, exercising 30 minutes daily, and eating more vegetables—track these behaviors in the app alongside supplement use.
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard showing blood pressure trends, weight changes, and supplement adherence over months. Set monthly check-in reminders to review trends with your doctor. If you don’t see improvements after 8-12 weeks, discuss with your doctor whether to continue or try other approaches.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The evidence for sesame supplements in treating high blood pressure is very low quality. Do not stop taking prescribed blood pressure medications or change your treatment plan based on this information. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have high blood pressure, take medications, or have other health conditions. Some people may have allergies or interactions with sesame supplements. Your doctor can help determine if sesame supplements are appropriate for your individual situation.