Mustard is Good For You!

Not only does mustard add zest to your food, it can add zest to your life!

Mustard seed has always been known for its medicinal properties.  Throughout history mustard seeds have been used around the home to ward off evil spirits, in hair tonics to reduce hair loss and sewn into garments to encourage feelings of security; they have also been consumed as an aphrodisiac.
Modern medical science confirms that mustard has numerous health benefits. 

One teaspoon of white mustard seed is packed with 87.1mg of omega-3 fatty acids, 84.2mg of omega-6 fatty acids, 22.2mg of potassium, 27.3mg of phosphorous, 9.7mg of magnesium and 16.9 mg of calcium.

Mustard seeds have antiseptic as well as anti-fungal properties. This makes them very useful for purging the digestive system and increasing the body’s natural defense system.

Mustard can help you lose weight.  Mustard seeds are packed with B-complex vitamins like folates, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin.  They are great in speeding up your metabolism which leads to weight loss.

Mustard can slow aging. Mustard is a great source of carotenes, zeaxanthins and lutein (also called flavonoid and caretonoid antioxidants) vitamin A,C and K. It is rich in antioxidants which can slow the aging process.

Mustard can improve immunity.  Because mustard has a large number of elemental minerals like iron, manganese, copper etc., it helps improve the body’s ability to fight disease.

Mustard can help control symptoms of asthma.  Mustard seeds are high in selenium and magnesium. This gives it a unique anti inflammatory property. Consumed regularly, it is known to control the symptoms of asthma, and chest congestion.

Mustard may prevent gastrointestinal cancer.  Packed with phytonutrients, mustard seeds can prevent and slow the progress of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that mustard seeds have properties that can restrict the growth of already present cancer cells and prevent the formation of new cancers.

Mustard can lower cholesterol.  Mustard contains high levels of niacin or vitamin B3. Niacin has properties that help lower one’s cholesterol levels and protects the arteries from atherosclerosis (plaque build-up).

Mustard can also lower blood pressure.   Studies have shown it helps to regulate blood flow and can protect the body from hypertension.

Mustard can help reduce constipation and may relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids. Mustard seeds contain a unique substance called mucilage, which is a thick slimy substance that is the key to relieving constipation.  It is also high in fiber and mustard seeds are known to increase the production of saliva, leading to better digestion.

Mustard can reduce migraines.  Mustard seeds consumed on a regular basis have been found to be beneficial for reducing the frequency of migraines.

Mustard may prevent Alzheimer’s.  Researchers in New York studied the diets of older men and women and found that mustard may be especially effective in helping to protect against Alzheimer’s. The findings appeared online in the Archives of Neurology, a medical journal from the American Medical Association.

Who knew?  Better stock up!