12 Health Benefits Of Mustard Seeds

For thousands of years, mustard seeds have been a staple in cuisines around the world. These tiny seeds pack a powerful punch when it comes to your health. Mustard, made from crushed mustard seeds, adds delicious flavour to dishes. With the growing interest in using natural ingredients, mustard is becoming a popular addition to new products. Keep reading to learn about some incredible health benefits of these nutrient-rich seeds.

Where do these Powerful Seeds Come From?

Mustard belongs to the nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable family, along with broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Both the leaves and seeds of the mustard plant provide culinary and medicinal value. Mustard is known for its pungent taste and medicinal properties. Modern science is now discovering the many health benefits offered by this plant.

Nutritional Value of Mustard Seeds

Many types of mustard are very rich in nutrients. Mustard seeds, in particular, contain high levels of copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese, and selenium.

Mustard seeds are also a great source of several B vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6. They provide vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid too. Mustard seeds are high in dietary fibre and beneficial bioactive compounds like antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats.

• For 20-grams of mustard seeds

12 Benefits of Mustard Seeds

1. Prevent Cancer: Exciting research shows that mustard seeds could help prevent cancer growth due to their unique compounds. These seeds contain glucosinolates and myrosinase, which studies indicate may inhibit the formation and spread of cancer cells. 

2. Relieve Headaches: If you suffer from pounding headaches or migraines, mustard seeds could help provide relief. These seeds contain high levels of magnesium, a mineral known for its ability to relax the nervous system. When consumed, the magnesium in mustard seeds may have a calming effect that can ease tense, and tightened nerves and muscles contributing to headaches. By relaxing blood vessels and relieving inflammation, the magnesium in mustard seeds can diminish headache pain and frequency.

3. Improve Digestion: Indigestion and constipation can be uncomfortable, but mustard seeds may help get your digestive system back on track. These seeds are packed with fibre, a nutrient that adds bulk to stool and stimulates regular bowel movements. The fibre in mustard seeds can relieve constipation by promoting gastrointestinal motility. Mustard seeds also contain enzymes that aid digestion and relieve gas and bloating. By optimising digestion and bowel habits, mustard seeds can effectively treat indigestion.

4. Boost Heart Health: The beneficial compounds in mustard oil can lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL levels. This improves your cholesterol ratio, supporting a healthy heart and circulation. By regulating cholesterol, mustard oil prevents fatty plaque buildup in arteries that can lead to heart disease and stroke. Making mustard oil a part of your regular diet may significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems.

5. Helps Make Bones, Teeth, and Gums Stronger: Mustard seeds strengthen bones, teeth, gums, hair, and nails due to their selenium content. Selenium is a mineral that enhances bone density and tooth enamel strength. The anti-inflammatory substances in mustard seeds also decrease gum swelling and dental pain. Using mustard oil to massage your gums can stimulate circulation and relieve inflammation.

6. Promotes Healthy Skin: In addition to internal benefits, topical use of mustard seed oil hydrates and nourishes the skin. The oils moisturise dryness while clearing dirt and bacteria from pores. Mustard seeds have compounds that reduce acne redness and irritation. With consistent use, mustard seed oil leaves the skin looking revitalised, even-toned, and vibrant.

7. Makes You Look Younger: Mustard seeds provide anti-ageing effects through vitamins A, C, and K. These antioxidant vitamins counteract wrinkle-causing free radicals. Vitamin C boosts collagen production for firmer skin, and vitamin A repairs sun damage. The antioxidant activity helps slow visible ageing for a more youthful appearance.

8. Provide Antioxidant Effects: Mustard seeds are packed with powerful antioxidants that protect your cells. They contain phenolic compounds that neutralise free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes. The phenolics in mustard seeds scavenge these harmful free radicals before they cause oxidative stress and chronic disease. Mustard seeds also contain antioxidant vitamin E. With regular consumption, the antioxidants in mustard seeds can boost immunity, slow ageing, and reduce your risk of illness.

9. Lower Blood Sugar: For people with type 2 diabetes, incorporating mustard seeds into your diet could help lower blood sugar levels. One study found that taking mustard seed extract supplements along with diabetes medication reduced blood sugar more than medication alone. The compounds in mustard seeds may help regulate insulin and glucose levels. Adding mustard seeds to meals or taking extracts could potentially improve blood sugar control and reduce complications in those with diabetes.

10. Exhibit Antimicrobial Properties: Compounds such as sinigrin and sinalbin in mustard seeds possess antimicrobial effects against various bacterial strains. This is attributed to their ability to inhibit bacterial enzymes and damage cell membranes.

11. Potential for Treating Psoriasis: Early research indicates that mustard seeds may aid in alleviating inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis. One study discovered that certain compounds in mustard seeds exhibited anti-inflammatory effects that reduced inflammation associated with psoriasis.

12. Enhance Hair Health: Mustard oil, derived from pressed mustard seeds, contains beneficial nutrients that can strengthen and improve hair health. The fatty acids, antioxidants, and proteins in mustard oil nourish hair follicles, promoting shine, growth, and strength. Gently massaging mustard oil into your scalp may help prevent premature greying and hair loss.

Conclusion

Mustard seeds offer a wide range of science-backed health benefits. Incorporating these flavourful seeds into your diet can help reduce headaches, improve digestion, support heart health, strengthen bones and teeth, benefit the skin and hair, delay ageing, provide antioxidant protection, control blood sugar, and more. Adding mustard seeds to your meals or using the oil can allow you to take advantage of their nutrients. With a tangy, pungent taste and numerous health effects, mustard seeds make a healthy and tasty addition to any diet.