Can black sesame seeds lower blood sugar?

Aug 05, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, black sesame seeds can help lower blood sugar levels as an auxiliary measure. However, black sesame seeds should only serve as a supplementary food for reducing blood glucose and cannot replace antidiabetic medications. Patients with diabetes still need to follow medical advice for standardized treatment. Additionally, black sesame seeds are high in calories and fat; excessive consumption may lead to excessive calorie intake, which could be detrimental to blood sugar control.

Generally speaking, black sesame seeds can assist in lowering blood sugar. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Black sesame seeds contain abundant dietary fiber, which can delay the digestion and absorption of food in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar after meals and helping maintain stable blood glucose levels. Meanwhile, black sesame seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid. These fatty acids can improve insulin sensitivity, helping the body utilize insulin more effectively to regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, various minerals found in black sesame seeds, such as magnesium and zinc, also participate in carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium promotes the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, while zinc aids in the synthesis and secretion of insulin. These components work together, enabling black sesame seeds to play a certain auxiliary role in controlling blood sugar levels.

Black sesame seeds can only serve as a supplementary food for lowering blood sugar and cannot replace antidiabetic medications. Patients with diabetes should still follow medical advice for standardized treatment. Moreover, black sesame seeds are high in calories and fat; excessive consumption may lead to excessive calorie intake, which could negatively affect blood sugar control. It is recommended to limit daily consumption to 10–15 grams. When consuming, choose pure black sesame seeds without added sugar or salt, and avoid processed products such as sesame paste, which may contain additional sugars that could impact blood glucose levels.

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