“Mustard Makes You Stupid”: What’s the Truth Behind the Saying?

The myth that “mustard makes you stupid” is not true and is probably based on a mix-up. Because so-called cyanogenic mustard oils can convert to toxic hydrocyanic acid. This in turn can damage the brain in large quantities. However, this would not make you stupid, but instead can be life-threatening. Contrary to what the name suggests, these special mustard oils are not found in mustard, but in bitter almonds or raw bamboo shoots, among other things.

The mustard oils that are actually found in mustard are formed from the phytochemical glucosinolate. It also gives radishes, horseradish, and cress their pungent aroma. The pungency can usually also be felt in the nose and on the palate when consumed and occasionally leads to watery eyes. In addition, the glucosinolates in mustard are said to have an antibiotic effect and a positive influence on the immune system. They also have an antioxidant effect and are said to be able to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

However, these mustard oils do not make you stupid and they do not attack the brain either. On the contrary, the Greek thinker Pythagoras is said to have even said that mustard sharpens the mind. Regardless of what effect mustard has on brain function, it has been proven that spicy sauce can have a positive effect on digestion. The mustard oils stimulate gastric juice production and salivation so that fatty and difficult-to-digest foods can be better processed. It is therefore advisable to eat some mustard with sausages and hearty stews, for example.

For the healthy effect of mustard oils, it is secondary which type of mustard it is. A distinction is mainly made between white and black mustard, with the lighter grains tasting milder. The black mustard seeds, on the other hand, are extremely hot. Dijon mustard, for example, is made primarily from black mustard seeds.