Sesame seed butter (tahini)

Tahini is simply ground sesame seeds, so it brings the seed’s nutrients and bioactive compounds into a smooth paste. It provides mostly unsaturated fat, some protein, and notable minerals like calcium and magnesium. Sesame lignans (sesamin, sesamolin) have antioxidant activity, and roasting can raise measured antioxidant capacity. Most lignan findings come from lab and animal studies, with some small human trials suggesting possible cholesterol benefits; real-world effects from typical portions are likely modest. For safety, two issues matter most. First, sesame is a major allergen with mandatory labeling in the U.S. and EU, and reactions can be severe. Second, low‑moisture seed pastes have occasionally carried Salmonella when processing controls failed; several recalls and an outbreak investigation have documented this. Tahini is minimally processed (roasted and milled) and is not typically hydrogenated, so trans-fat concerns do not apply. The paste is calorie-dense, so portion size (about 1–2 tablespoons) helps keep energy intake in check.