Is Mustard Good For You?

Mustard is a popular condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is close to the family of nutrient-rich vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Both the seeds and leaves of the mustard plant can be used. Besides culinary uses, mustard is also a popular remedy in traditional medicine in many parts of the world.

Mustard plants come in many varieties, but most are rich in nutrients. The leaves of the mustard plant contain significant amounts of calcium, copper and vitamins C, A and K, while the seeds of the plant are particularly rich in fibre, selenium, magnesium and manganese.
Mustard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, making this spice a versatile nutrient addition to salads, soups and stews. Mustard can be prepared in much the same way as spinach, but will give it a stronger, slightly pungent taste like a radish.
Mustard seeds can be soaked in warm milk, whipped then added to salads, mashed or sprinkled with hot dishes, or soaked and used to make a mustard sauce. Mustard sauce is arguably the most common way to consume mustard plants. This low-calorie condiment is a simple way to add iron, calcium, selenium and phosphorus to your daily diet.

Mustard contains high levels of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that are thought to help protect against a number of diseases.
For example, mustard is an excellent source of glucosinolates, a group of sulfur-containing compounds found in all cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and mustard. Glucosinolates are activated when the leaves or seeds of the plant are impacted through chewing or cutting, and are thought to stimulate the body to fight disease. Mustard seeds and leaves are especially rich in isothiocyanates. This compound is derived from glucosinolates, which may help prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading. At the same time, sinigrin is also a glucosinolate-derived compound found in the mustard plant, responsible for mustard's pungent flavor and is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. cancer and wound healing.
Mustard is also rich in carotenoids, isorhamnetin and kaempferol. Research links these flavonoid antioxidants to the ability to protect the body from diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and possibly even prevent certain types of cancer.

The mustard plant has been used as a traditional remedy against various strains of diseases for centuries. Recently, scientific evidence has been published to support a number of potential benefits from mustard:
Fights certain types of cancer. Test-tube and animal studies show that the glucosinolates in mustard can help kill cancer cells or prevent their spread. Reduce blood sugar. One small human study found that taking a blood sugar-lowering medication along with a mustard decoction could lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes more effectively than the medication alone. Fights psoriasis. Animal studies show that a diet rich in mustard seeds can help reduce inflammation and promote healing of psoriasis lesions. Reduce symptoms of contact dermatitis. Animal research shows that mustard seeds can speed the body's healing process and reduce symptoms of contact dermatitis, a skin condition that causes a rash and itching after exposure to an allergen. Anti-infection . Some have suggested that the antioxidants in mustard seeds may provide some protection against bacteria and fungi, including E. coli, B. subtilis and S. aureus. However, some other studies did not show similar results. Although the results on the benefits of mustard are very promising, the amount of research supporting these benefits is still small. Therefore, there is no clear evidence for these benefits.

Eating mustard seeds, leaves, or powder is generally considered safe for most people, especially when consumed in the average amounts normally found in the average person's diet. Therefore, consuming large amounts, such as pure mustard extract, can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and intestinal inflammation. There has been one report of a woman developing contact dermatitis after applying a Chinese medicine containing mustard seeds directly to her skin.
Finally, uncooked mustard seeds and leaves contain significant amounts of goiter-causing compounds. These are compounds that can interfere with thyroid function. The consumption of this mustard is not likely to cause problems in people with normal thyroid function. However, people with impaired thyroid function may wish to soak, boil, or cook mustard seeds and leaves before consuming.

Reference article: Healthline.com