Eating sesame seed products like sesame oil, sesamin, or tahini for about 6 weeks to 2 months can lower your fasting blood sugar by an average of 21 points, according to a review of 8 studies.

Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, the available evidence leans toward sesame seed products helping to lower fasting blood glucose. Our analysis examined one claim that pulled together data from 8 studies, and we found 39 supporting data points with none against [1]. That claim suggests that eating sesame products like sesame oil, sesamin, or tahini for about six weeks to two months is associated with an average reduction of 21 points in fasting blood sugar [1]. We want to be clear that this represents our current view of the research, not a final verdict. The evidence we have is consistent in one direction, but it comes from a single review of 8 studies, so the picture could change as more research emerges. We also haven’t looked into who the participants were or what doses were used, which are important details for applying these findings. Still, the direction we see is promising. What this means for you: if you’re looking for dietary changes that might support healthy blood sugar levels, adding sesame seed products like tahini or sesame oil to your routine for a couple of months could be worth discussing with your healthcare provider. But remember, this is just one piece of the puzzle — we don’t yet know how it compares to other interventions or how it works for different individuals.