India, Jan. 12 -- Makar Sankranti marks a seasonal shift that has long influenced food choices in Indian households. The tradition of eating til (sesame seeds) with gur (jaggery) during this festival is closely linked to the body's response to winter. This pairing is not only cultural but also rooted in everyday nutrition, especially the role sesame seeds play in supporting the body during colder months.

Sesame seeds are among the oldest oilseeds known to humans, cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for over 5,000 years. Ancient food practices valued sesame for its ability to provide strength and sustain energy. During winter, digestion slows and the body needs foods that digest steadily while offering warmth and nourishment. Sesame see...