Is mustard seeds good for you?
Mustard seeds are loaded with vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, and other antioxidants. The seeds are available in different colors and have in-depth health and medicinal benefits and also used for cuisines and dishes since ancient times. Both its leaves and seeds are used and make your dishes more flavorful.
What do you mean by mustard seeds?
Mustard seeds, also known as ‘Sarso‘ or ‘Rai‘ in Hindi. These seeds are important ingredients for various cuisines and dishes across the globe. Mustard seeds, which are available in white, brown and black varieties are full of health benefits and medicinal uses due to which, it is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s healthiest foods.
10 potential health benefits of mustard seeds
- Skin health: These seeds act as antioxidants because of the presence of carotene, lutein, Vitamin A, K & C, all of these help in slowing down aging. If mustard seeds are used along with aloe vera, it helps to hydrate your skin along with it also acts as a natural scrub to remove the dead skin if it is used with rose essential oil.
- Hair health: The use of mustard seeds and its oil is beneficial in the case of hair growth, conditioning, and strengthening of hair. Massaging of the scalp with mustard oil is helpful in hair growth and its health. Since the seeds contain protein, calcium, vitamin A & E, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, all these are good to make the hair stronger.
- Rheumatic arthritis: Mustard seeds have a good amount of selenium and magnesium, which are effective for people who are suffering from rheumatic arthritis.
- Cancer prevention: Mustard seeds are having some phytochemicals such as glucosinolates and myrosinase, which are beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer. A study published in the Journal Human & Experimental Toxicology, wherein it has been shown that the seeds may have chemopreventive potential.
- Dietary fiber: Mustard seeds are having an adequate amount of dietary fibers, which are good for smooth digestion, metabolism, and prevention of constipation thus helpful in other digestive related issues. It also ensures easy bowel movement and enhances digestive power.
- Lowers blood pressure: There are numerous nutrients like copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium that are present in mustard seeds, which are important in reducing blood pressure. These are also good at giving relief from menopause.
- Asthma prevention: The regular use of mustard seeds is helpful for respiratory problems including asthma as it contains some important minerals like copper, magnesium, iron and selenium, which acts well against respiratory problems.
- Treats headache: The seeds have a suitable amount of magnesium, which is beneficial in case of migraine and headache.
- Enhances good cholesterol: The optimal use of mustard oil helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood thus good for cardiovascular problems.
- Strengthens teeth and gums: Mustard seeds are packed with selenium, which makes bones stronger, and along with certain antioxidants it helps in relieving pain in the gum and teeth.
Known medicinal uses of mustard seeds
Mustard has been used as a remedy in traditional medicine since Greek and Roman civilizations.
- Lowers blood sugar: In a study, it has been that using medication along with mustard green decoction, helps to manage type 2 diabetes than medication alone.
- Psoriasis: Mustard seeds help to reduce inflammation thus prevent psoriasis.
- Dermatitis: The use of mustard seeds speed up the healing process and helps to reduce the symptoms of dermatitis.
- Combat infection: The presence of antioxidants in mustard seeds helps to fight against infections of viruses and bacteria.
- Thyroid issues: Those people who are having thyroid problems, should avoid using these seeds.
- Common cold: Mustard oil is used in the common cold. People like to use it in the upper region of the nostrils to get relief from cold.
- Joint pain: The massage of mustard oil over joints or pain area is helpful to get relief over joint pains or in case of arthritis. It is also beneficial in case of low back pain and feet ache.
Mustard seeds side effects
There are some safety issues and side effects of taking mustard seeds.
- Consuming it in a large quantity may result in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gut inflammation.
- Uncooked seeds and leaves should be avoided as these may interfere with the function of the thyroid gland due to the presence of goitrogens.
- An excess amount of black mustard seed by mouth can damage the throat
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Skin blister
- Heart failure
- Diarrhea
Nutritional facts of mustard seed
Mustard seeds contain the nutrition as given: Energy (508 Kcal), Carbohydrate (28.09g), protein (26.08g), total fat (36.24g), dietary fiber (12.2g), Niacin (4.733mg), Pantothenic acid (0.810mg), Pyridoxine (0.397 mg), riboflavin (0.261mg), vitamin C (7.1 mg), sodium (13mg), Potassium (738 mg), calcium (266 mg), Copper (0.645), Iron (9.21mg), Magnesium (2.448mg) and Zinc (6.08mg).
Mustard seeds Facts
- Mustard seed is the second most popular spice across the world.
- Mustard has been mentioned around 5 times in the Bible.
- It has also mentioned in the Bible as the greatest herb ever.
