Taking sesame might help lower cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, which could be good for heart health.

What we've found so far suggests that sesame supplementation may help lower LDL cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Our analysis of the available research shows the evidence leans toward a possible benefit for heart health. We looked at two claims and found both support this idea [1,2]. Each claim is backed by what appears to be 39.0 supporting studies, with no studies refuting the effect [1,2]. This means the evidence we’ve reviewed consistently points in one direction—toward a cholesterol-lowering effect of sesame in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, is linked to heart disease, so a reduction could be meaningful for long-term health [1,2]. However, we don’t have full details on the quality, size, or design of these 39.0 studies per claim. We also don’t know how much sesame was used, for how long, or in what form—such as seeds, oil, or extract. These details matter, and without them, we can’t say how strong or reliable the effect might be. Our current analysis shows a pattern in the data, but we must be cautious. The total number of claims we’ve analyzed is small—only two—and they may be based on overlapping or repeated studies. This could mean the actual number of unique studies is lower than it appears. We also don’t have evidence on side effects, long-term use, or how sesame compares to other cholesterol-lowering strategies. Practical takeaway: If you have type 2 diabetes and are thinking about using sesame for cholesterol, it might be worth discussing with your doctor. The evidence we’ve reviewed leans toward a benefit, but we don’t yet know how strong or consistent that effect is for everyone.