In “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” the legendary phrase “open sesame” opens the mouth of a cave where a treasure lies hidden. In a delightful bit of symmetry, opening sesame pods also delivers a treasure of benefits for human health and well-being. Sesame seeds are a reservoir of nutrients, including important vitamins and minerals, phytosterols, polyunsaturated fats, tocopherols, and lignans such as sesamin and sesamolin. The presence of lignans (a type of polyphenol), tocopherols (which have vitamin E activity), and phytosterols (which are similar to cholesterol but can lower LDL cholesterol) can protect against reactive oxygen species and the oil from easily becoming rancid. In fact, sesame has earned the title “Queen of Oilseeds” because it is highly resistant to oxidation and rancidity. Sesame seed, in particular, boasts excellent nutritional value, including high protein, vitamin B1, and dietary fiber content. Southern Indian cuisine relies on sesame oil for cooking, just like …