Mustard: Benefits And Harms

Mustard has a peculiar burning flavor and is an indispensable seasoning for lovers of spicy dishes. In addition to its piquant flavor characteristics, the benefits of mustard for the human body are undoubted.

Popular representatives of the species:

• White mustard (English). It has a mild taste (not spicy) and a subtle sweetish odor. White mustard seeds are used to make spice powder and edible oil. This product goes well with garlic, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, honey, and olives.
• Black mustard (French). The seeds of the plant are colored red-brown and have a pronounced pungent taste. Black mustard is used both in cooking (for making sauces) and in pharmaceuticals (for creating patches and galenic medicines). In addition, the seeds of this crop are used in agriculture as green manure (green fertilizer).
• Sarepta mustard (Russian). The spiciest and most oily variety of the plant, 100 g of seeds of which contain up to 49% of healthy fat. Sarepta mustard seeds are used to make table mustard, and the cake is used to make mustard powder.
• Field mustard. A harmful weed is a service weed that can be used for feeding farm animals.

Nutritional value of mustard

Such a wide range of beneficial effects is due to the rich chemical composition of the product. It is worth noting that table mustard is low in calories (139 kcal per 100 g) and contains a lot of protein and fiber.

100 g of mustard contains:

• Proteins 10 g.
• Fats 5.3 g.
• Carbohydrates 13.5 g.

Vitamins PP and E are the most abundant in mustard, as they have a positive effect on metabolism.

It also contains vitamins B, D, and A, protein, enzymes, essential oil, and trace elements such as zinc, potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, and dietary fiber.

The benefits of mustard seeds

The healing properties of the plant’s seeds include antiseptic and antibacterial effects, as well as a high content of vitamins and nutrients. The use of mustard seeds is recommended for people with high blood pressure and frequent migraines, magnesium and potassium reduce inflammation and acute attacks of rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and asthma attacks. Mustard seeds also help in the fight against flatulence, diseases of the liver, biliary tract, blood vessels, lack of appetite, and constipation.

The seeds are also widely used in cooking to prepare flavorful meat, fish, and vegetable dishes, in preserving vegetables and mushrooms, and even in making bakery products. However, you should not consume a large number of mustard seeds (no more than 5 teaspoons) daily to avoid esophageal burns.

Mustard for weight loss

The benefits of French mustard and its whole grains for weight loss are undoubted, as the product accelerates metabolic processes and calorie burning by up to 25% with daily consumption of 3 teaspoons. In addition, this product is very popular for external use – it is added to scrubs, wraps, and baths.

Harm and contraindications of mustard

Mustard is contraindicated in:

• Increased stomach acidity.
• Pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Kidney pathologies (especially nephritis and pyelonephritis).
• Gastritis, enterocolitis, ulcers.
• Varicose veins (for external use).
• Food allergies.
• Individual intolerance.
• Children’s age (up to 3 years).

In addition, you should not eat the seasoning at night, as its pungent taste irritates the receptors, and as a result, you may have problems falling asleep.