Is Halva a Healthy Food?

Halva is an ancient food that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a sweet confection made from sesame seeds, sugar, and sometimes other ingredients like nuts or dried fruit.

Halva has a creamy, nutty flavor and a fudge-like texture. It is often served as an accompaniment to coffee or tea in Middle Eastern countries, but it can also be found in Middle Eastern markets in the United States.

Halva is high in calories and fat, so it should be consumed in moderation. One tablespoon of halva contains about 75 calories and 5 grams of fat, mostly from the sesame seeds.

It is also high in sugar, with about 6 grams per tablespoon. Despite its high calorie content, halva contains some important nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

Halva also contains some beneficial plant compounds that are associated with health benefits. The sesame seeds used to make halva are rich in lignans which have antioxidant properties that can help protect against free radical damage and reduce inflammation.

Conclusion:

Overall, halva is not considered to be a healthy food due to its high fat and sugar content. However, it does contain beneficial plant compounds which may provide some health benefits when consumed in moderation. As such, halva can be enjoyed as an occasional treat without guilt.