Is Sesame Seed Oil Paleo? (+ The Nutritional Breakdown)

When it comes to vegetable oils and which ones are healthy and unhealthy it can get pretty confusing. Let’s look at the Paleo lifestyle and sesame seed oil, is sesame seed oil Paleo?

What is Sesame Seed Oil?

As the name suggest sesame seed oil comes from the tiny little seed of the sesame plant. It is actually one of the oldest cultivated crops as we can date its use back over 4000 years. 

As usual, when it comes to oils there are various varieties depending on how it has been processed. 

Toasted sesame oil: This oil is the one more commonly used in Asian cooking, it has a distinctive color, taste and aromatic smell. The seeds are roasted  first to make toasted sesame oil which is why the flavor is so rich and the color a dark brown color. Unfortunately the oil is usually extracted with chemical solvents at high temperatures. There are other manufacturers who use gentler methods however, without solvents or heat.

Raw cold pressed sesame seed oil: This oil comes from the raw sesame seed, the oil is expressed using high pressure at low temperatures. The color is of course a lot lighter and the flavor less intense than the roasted sesame seed oil.

Is Sesame Seed Oil Paleo?

Strictly speaking no. Lets look at why they are not considered Paleo and also an important loophole to consider when a recipe calls for sesame seed oil.

100g xesame seed oil is composed of the following:

14 % saturated fat

40% monounsaturated fatty acid

41% Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Because of this high dose of Omega-6 (polyunsaturated) fat in sesame seed oil we would not consider it as a Paleo appropriate oil to be using on a daily basis. High levels of omega 6’s in our diets can be detrimental to our health as they promote inflammation (1). In addition, as a rule we do not take in enough of naturally occurring omega 3’s (anti-inflammatory) to balance this intake of omega 6’s (2).

Extraction Process and Risk of Oxidation

One of the risks of ingesting oils which are extracted and not pressed is the risk of oxidation. When an oil is exposed to light, heat or air the oil can oxidise and easily become rancid (3). Once again, this rancidity causes inflammation and over a long period of time this promotes disease in the body (4).

But its so delicious

We agree! Which is why we are not telling you to banish sesame seed oil from your life and your kitchen eternally. Rather, take the following to steps to consume sesame seed oil with caution:

1. When buying sesame seed oil look for the raw, cold pressed variety which is kept in a dark bottle.
2. Buy sesame seed oil in small quantities as this is oil is more powerful to use for flavor rather than a cooking oil. Larger quantities are more likely to go rancid
3. Use this oil sporadically and not on a daily basis
4. Store this oil in a cool dark place, ideally the refrigerator

Is Sesame Seed Oil Paleo? (+ The Nutritional Breakdown)
Anthea Poppmeier