Fact Check: Do Sesame Seeds Boost "Joint Grease” in the Knees?

An Instagram reel claims that Sesame Seeds can Boost "Joint Grease” in the Knees. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel it is claimed that Sesame Seeds can Boost "Joint Grease” in the Knees. In the reel by doctorupasanavohra it is said, "Let’s talk about diet—what changes we need to make so that the grease in the joints can be increased or the lubrication in the knees that seems to be reducing can be improved.

The first thing is Vitamin D. That means you should start sitting in sunlight.

No matter how many supplements you take, if you are taking them artificially, they may help to some extent—but the natural source is always better. That’s why you should provide Vitamin D to your body in a natural way, because without it, our bones cannot grow properly and cannot stay healthy.

Next comes calcium. For calcium, milk, curd, and buttermilk are very good sources. Along with this, you should also start taking sesame seeds (til). White sesame seeds—I feel that every person should take at least half a teaspoon daily for at least 6 months. After that, you can take them on alternate days, twice a week, or sometimes sprinkle a pinch over your salad. This can increase the grease in your joints."

The claim can be seen here.

Fact Check

The claim is FALSE. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that sesame seeds can increase grease  in the knees. Joint lubrication is regulated by the body’s internal physiological processes, not by consuming specific foods.

What Is the Grease in Joints?

The grease in joints refers to synovial fluid, a fluid confined within the joint space that acts as a natural lubricant for articular cartilage and serves as a nutrient source for surrounding structures such as cartilage, the meniscus, and the labrum. Synovial fluid is produced by fibroblast-like type B synovial cells as an ultrafiltrate of blood plasma and is primarily composed of hyaluronan, lubricin, proteinases, collagenases, and prostaglandins. These components help reduce friction, maintain joint mobility, and support tissue health. The volume and composition of synovial fluid can change in response to trauma, inflammation, or infection, and analysis of this fluid is critical for diagnosing joint pathologies. Thus, the term "grease" in a lay context accurately describes the lubricating function of synovial fluid in maintaining smooth and pain-free joint movement.

What are the Nutritional Benefits of Seasme Seeds?

Seasame seeds, have been cultivated for thousands of years and are valued for both their culinary versatility and nutritional benefits. Known for their mild, nutty flavor and crunchy texture, white sesame seeds are a rich source of calcium and provide essential amino acids such as methionine, valine, and tryptophan. They also contain a range of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, vitamins, phytosterols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), all of which contribute to overall health and support various physiological functions.

Do Sesame Seeds Boost "Joint Grease” in the Knees?

There is no credible scientific evidence that sesame seeds increase grease in the joints or synovial fluid. While they may support joint health as they are rich in calcium but they cannot alter the body’s production of joint fluid in the way the claim suggests.

White sesame seeds have been widely studied for their nutritional composition. In a study by Misganaw Gedlu Agidew et. al., findings highlighted that these seeds are particularly rich in essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and calcium. Additionally, they were found to contain significant levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin E (tocopherol), and phytosterols, underscoring their potential role in supporting overall health.

Similarly, in an article by Parisa Mostashari, et. al. sesame seeds are described as an excellent source of calcium and a valuable provider of essential amino acids, including methionine, valine, and tryptophan.

The user also claim that calcium and vitamin D can increase the grease joints which is false. However, both nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining bone health, supporting bone strength.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, forms the structural component of bones as calcium salts, giving them strength and rigidity, while also supporting muscle, heart, and nerve function. Since the body cannot produce calcium, it must be obtained through diet or supplements; inadequate intake leads to calcium being drawn from bones, weakening them and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D plays a crucial complementary role by enhancing calcium absorption, supporting muscle function, and reducing the risk of falls and fractures. Deficiency of vitamin D can result in conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults, all of which compromise bone strength and integrity.

Dr. Kirthi Paladugu, Senior Consultant Arthroscopy Surgeon Knee & Shoulder (Sports Medicine), Navigation & Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon (FIJR Germany), Minimally Invasive Trauma, Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad in a conversation said, "As an orthopedic surgeon, I would like to clarify a common misconception circulating on social media that sesame seeds can ‘boost joint grease’ or directly lubricate the knees. This is not medically accurate. Human joints are not lubricated by dietary fats or oils; they are naturally lubricated by a biological substance called synovial fluid, which is produced inside the joint capsule. No food, including sesame seeds, can directly increase or replace this fluid.

The claim likely arises from the nutritional value of sesame seeds. They are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, calcium, and plant compounds like sesamin, which may have mild anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that regular consumption of sesame seeds or sesame oil may help reduce inflammation and improve pain scores in patients with osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee. However, this benefit is related to inflammation modulation, not mechanical lubrication of the joint.

It is important to understand that conditions like knee pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility are usually due to cartilage wear, inflammation, or degenerative changes, not a lack of “oil” in the joint. Therefore, no single food can reverse these structural changes.

Joint problems should be addressed with a holistic approach, including weight control, physiotherapy, muscle strengthening, appropriate medications when needed, and lifestyle modifications. Nutritional choices like sesame seeds can be part of a healthy diet, but they should not be viewed as a standalone treatment for joint diseases.

In summary, while sesame seeds may support overall health and possibly reduce inflammation, they do not “grease” or lubricate the joints in the way the claim suggests. Patients should rely on evidence-based medical guidance for joint health rather than viral misinformation."

Dr Vaibhav Bagaria, Director, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai further added, "The idea that sesame seeds can help with health is more of a saying than a medical fact. Our joints get their lubrication from a fluid that the joint lining makes. Its not directly affected by any one food. On a note sesame seeds have healthy fats, antioxidants and small nutrients like calcium and magnesium. These can help with joint health and reduce swelling to some degree. Sesame seeds are good, for joints because they have these things. They do not directly make joints less stiff. They do help in other ways."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The viral claim that sesame seeds can “boost joint grease” in the knees is FALSE. Joints do not produce “grease” in response to specific foods like sesame seeds. While sesame seeds are nutritious, rich in Calcium and may support overall joint health, they cannot directly increase joint grease.

Hence, the claim is FALSE,