Fact Check: Can mixture of roasted black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery reverse arthritis?

Claim

A post on Instagram claims that eating a mixture of roasted black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery reverses arthritis. The post, shared by Instagram user dr.ninbhalli with the caption "How this remedy can help you reverse Arthritis or reduces the risk of Knee Replacement," states, "When the greasing (lubrication) finishes, a gap forms between the knees, and when you go to the doctor, they will directly tell you to replace the knees, that surgery is needed. In your kitchen itself, take some sesame seeds — specifically black sesame seeds — and poppy seeds. Roast them well on an iron tawa (griddle) or in an iron kadhai (wok). Roast them properly until they become crispy. Once roasted, remove them from heat, cool them down, and make a powder. Eat one spoonful daily. For those whose knee fluid (also called grease) has diminished, or if you feel that there is a sound coming from your knees, this will help. Even for children — if their parents are suffering and they fear that they might develop it later — they should start eating it too. Eat it three to four times a week or even just for 10 days in a month. Along with this, start eating a little bit of pure mineral-rich jaggery. You will notice that knees that were making cracking, stiffening sounds will start feeling relaxed."

The claim can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Black sesame seeds and poppy seeds have anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that a mixture of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery can cure or reverse arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, where two bones meet, like the knees or elbows. It comes in different forms, each with its own causes and treatment methods. Sometimes, arthritis can also affect other areas of the body, such as the skin, heart, or eyes. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, warmth, and redness, which can impact movement and daily life. Proper diagnosis and the right treatment are important for managing the specific type of arthritis and its symptoms effectively.

Can arthritis be cured?

At present, there is no cure for arthritis, but early treatment with medication and supportive therapies can help control symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

What are the Health benefits of sesame seeds, Poppy seeds and Jaggery?

Black sesame seeds, revered in traditional Asian diets, are rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, including lignans (sesamin, sesamolin), tocopherols, phytosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids. These seeds offer a range of health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Their high calcium, magnesium, and zinc content supports bone health, while their antioxidant profile helps combat oxidative stress and may contribute to cardiovascular and neuroprotective effects. Increasing scientific interest in their functional properties is promoting the use of BSS in nutraceuticals and health-promoting food products.

Poppy seeds are recognized for their numerous health benefits, owing to their rich nutritional profile that includes proteins, dietary fiber, essential oils, antioxidants, tocopherols, and micronutrients. These seeds possess bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to their potential in managing conditions like hypertension, pain, and cancer. While traditionally cultivated for opium and oil, poppy seeds are widely used in culinary applications and are increasingly being explored as functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals. Poppyseed oil, in particular, is valued for its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

Jaggery, a natural sweetener derived from sugarcane or palm sap, is rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Valued for its distinct flavor and aroma, it is widely used in traditional sweets and offers various health benefits, including aiding digestion, relieving constipation, and providing a natural energy boost.

Can mixture of roasted black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery reverse arthritis?

While ingredients like black sesame seeds and poppy seeds possess anti-inflammatory and nutritional properties that may support the management of arthritis, they are not a cure or a method for reversing the disease. Moreover, there is no scientific evidence or clinical evidence to validate the claim that consuming a mixture of roasted black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery can reverse arthritis.

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and black sesame, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, may aid in its management. A study published in Molecules found that black sesame seeds are rich in lignans namely sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol, and sesamolin which possess notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties might help in reducing inflammation, a key symptom of arthritis.

Similarly, Poppy seeds have long been used in traditional diets, and recent research is exploring their potential therapeutic benefits. In a study, Riya Singh et. al. found that poppy seeds possess promising health-promoting properties including anti-inflammatory effects. This may underline their potential in supporting the treatment and management of arthritis symptoms.

Dr Srikanth Madikaattu, Consultant - Orthopaedic Surgeon And Joint Replacement Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune in a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team said, "Arthritis is a condition commonly seen in older adults, where the cartilage in the joints becomes thin and starts to wear away, a process we refer to as cartilage loss. On an X-ray, this typically appears as a reduction in the joint space.

It often occurs due to lack of exercise, reduced strength in the knee, or weakening of the surrounding muscles. These factors increase the chances of cartilage deterioration and the development of arthritis. Arthritis is usually graded as mild, moderate, or severe.

In mild to moderate cases, pain can often be managed through physical therapy, exercises, or injections such as viscosupplementation, which help reduce pain. Medications like paracetamol may also help when combined with regular exercise.

In severe cases, when pain persists despite medications and therapy, we begin to consider surgical options.

Many patients believe that arthritis is a reversible condition that can be cured with medication. However, with age, cartilage naturally wears down. Once damaged, cartilage cannot regenerate. What we can do is slow down its degeneration and manage the symptoms.

Strengthening the muscles around the knee, maintaining bone density, and leading a healthy lifestyle are essential for preserving knee function and reducing stress on the cartilage.

Patients often ask whether arthritis can be cured with medications. While medicines can help manage pain, they cannot regenerate cartilage. Relying solely on medication may eventually lead to worsening joint deformities, making surgical treatment more complex and less effective.

It’s important to educate patients that knee arthritis is a progressive condition. To prevent its progression, consistent physical strengthening and proper weight management are crucial. Sometimes, medications are needed to maintain bone health.

Patients often express a desire to avoid surgery. To do so, they must maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage their weight. Nowadays, there are also claims in the market about regenerating cartilage and meniscus, but these methods are not proven. We’ve seen many patients who undergo such treatments and return years later with no relief—by then, the deformity has worsened, making surgery riskier and less effective.

Therefore, patients should understand that knee arthritis is a slowly progressive disease. Initial treatment can include paracetamol, viscosupplement injections, and physical therapy. In some cases, offloading braces can help reduce pressure on the joint. However, if the pain continues to worsen and is not relieved by medical or physical therapy, surgery remains a reliable and effective option to restore quality of life."

Dt Priyanka Bandal, Senior dietician, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune further said, "Kale til that is black sesame, white sesame, white til and khaskhas that is poppy seeds as supportive foods in the dietary management of rheumatoid arthritis. These seeds are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium and antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation, support joint health and oxidative stress.

So, their nutrient density makes them valuable in addressing bone, demineralization, and fatigue. If these are commonly seen in the patients and they should be used in a control portion due to their calorie density and always under supervised dietary planning, especially uh those who are diabetic uh or any metabolic concern."

Black sesame seeds and poppy seeds possess anti-inflammatory properties that may aid in the management of arthritis. However, there are no scientific studies supporting the use of jaggery for arthritis, making the claim that this mixture can cure or reverse the condition false.

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that a mixture of roasted black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and jaggery can reverse arthritis is false. While black seasme seeds and poppy seeds have anti-inflammatory benefits which may help in the management and treatment but there is no clinical evidence to support the idea that this or any food mixture can cure or reverse arthritis.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.