Mustard seed is one of the popular condiments available in different countries.  They have been around almost 5,000 years ago. Mustard seed is commercially grown in many countries like Argentina, Canada, Chile, Denmark, India, United Kingdom, United States, and some European countries. They are used by people all over the world and are available in many different varieties like yellow, black and brown mustard. Asians, Africans, Greeks, and Romans have integrated mustard into their daily cuisines. Despite the small size of mustard seeds, they have been found to possess many amazing health benefits. Now let us see some important and amazing health benefits of Mustard seeds.

Mustard

1- Improves Cardiovascular Health and Assist Red Blood Cell Formation

Mustard oil is used to reduce the risk of a heart attack. It is also the best choice when it comes to picking a cooking oil. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids in mustard helps you to keep your heart in a healthy condition. The presence of copper and iron assist in the formation of red blood cell formation in your body and prevents anemia.

2- Improves Bones Strength

Selenium is present in large quantities in mustard and this helps to strengthen your bones. It also strengthens the hair, nails, and teeth. This essential nutrient helps you to get rid of free radicals from the body.

3- Helps you to Fight Against Psoriasis

The mustard seeds are really effective in curing inflammation associated with psoriasis. They also help you to stimulate the activities of enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase which promotes healing action in psoriasis.

4- Reduces Sleep Disorders

The presence of high magnesium content in mustard helps you to improve the quality of your sleep, tranquility, and duration of sleep. It also regulates metabolism and helps you to stay away from a sleep disorder like insomnia.

5- Promotes Healthy Hair and Skin

The application of mustard oil or mustard paste on your skin helps in making the skin soft and soothes the symptoms associated with the skin problems. The presence of vitamin A, vitamin E, Omega- 3 and Omega -6 fatty acid are helpful to stimulate hair growth and strengthens the hair.

6- Prevents Cancer

The compounds like myrosinase and glucosinolates present in mustard seeds prevent the growth of cancer cells.  Selenium content provides excellent resistance to the body against the formation of cancer cells. It also helps to slow down the development of cancer cells.

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7- Helps you to Cure Aches

A poultice made using mustard is really helpful in curing pains, body aches, and muscle spasms. It provides relief from muscular aches, rheumatism, and paralysis of limbs.

8- Helps you to Control Diabetes

The presence of anti-oxidant protects you against the problems caused by oxidative stress in diabetics. Mustard oil maintains the levels of serum glucose and glycosylated proteins. It also reduces lipid peroxidation and triggers glucose metabolism.

9- Provides Respiratory Reliefs

The Mustard seeds provide relief from many respiratory ailments, especially during winter days. The vapors of steamed mustard seeds help you decongest blocked nasal passages. Mustard has heating properties to aid respiration during asthma and the presence of iron, magnesium, selenium, and copper prevents you from an asthma attack. It actually acts as nasal decongestant and expectorant.

10- Treats Cold and Fever

Mustard exhibit calefacient properties that cause great sweating, which is beneficial to lowering fever by reducing body temperature. It aids ejecting the poison from the body and has been beneficial in flu and cold too.

11- Poison Repulsion

Mustard seeds have some emetic qualities which make you resist the effects of poison on the body.  Decoction syrup made using mustard seeds are really helpful in cleansing the toxic in the body, especially if the poison is caused by an excess intake of alcohol, sleeping pills, soporific drug, etc.

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Nutrient content of Mustard seeds

100 grams of mustard seeds in a single serve contains 60 calories, 1104mg sodium, 3.3 grams of fat, 0mg of cholesterol, 3 grams of proteins. It contains calcium with a dietary value of 6%, 9% of Iron, 0% of vitamin C and 2% of Vitamin A (Based on 2000 calorie diet). Also, see…

Mustard Types

1- Yellow Mustard

Mustard seeds

Yellow mustards are mainly used in the European and American countries for cooking purpose. They are used in various type of pickles, canning recipes, boiled vegetables and in making corned beef and beacon. You can prepare mustard at home by grinding the seeds and you can also add other ingredients as per your choice.

2- Brown Mustard

brown mustard seeds

Brown Mustard seeds are obtained from a plant grown in India, Africa, and China. These seeds are generally used by a lot of Africans and Indian in their dishes. They are frequently used in a crushed form to add flavor to the dishes.

3- Black Mustard

black musterd seeds

Black mustards are small compared to the brown and yellow seeds and are generally used by Indian people in cooking. They are used in various vegetarian dishes, pickles, curries, and other meat dishes.

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How to Store and Select Mustard Seeds

Mustard

Try to buy fresh and organically grown mustard seed. If you buy it from any of the condiment stores then check for its manufacturing and mainly the expiry date. Keep Mustard seeds in an airtight container and store it in a cold place.  Condiment size mustard packets, sauce, dips, mustard powder are also available that can be used in your cooking and snacks.

Uses of Mustard

• It is used as a flavoring agent and provides a nice taste to your salads, dips, and mayonnaise.
• You can add some mustard seeds, honey, and other seasonings to make a sweet dip.
• They are also used as a condiment, it adds a nice flavor to the pickles, dips, and sauce.
• They are used to prepare a mustard sauce that is widely used by many people all over the world in sandwiches and hotdogs.
• Yellow mustard flour has stabilizing qualities that are great for sausage preparation.
• They are used in soups, snacks, salads, sandwiches, curries, barbeque and mayonnaise sauce.
• It is used to prevent the meat from getting spoiled and used to add flavor.

Precautions

• People allergic to mustard should avoid taking it.
• Extreme use of mustard can cause gastric irritation and sometimes stomach bleeding.
• Avoid excessive use of mustard seeds.
• A strong mustard can sting your tongue, throat, and palates.

Author Bio: Gene Moore is a Marketer and a passionate writer. He is a very adventurous and ambitious person having an interest in traveling, writing and reading blogs. His artistic background nurtures him in developing creative writing skill.

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