Nutritional facts of Mustard Seeds

Mustard seeds have been highly prized culinary oil-seeds being in use since earlier times. The seeds are fruit pods obtained from the mustard plant, in the Brassica family. Some of the close members of mustards in this family include cabbage, broccoli, Brussels-sprouts, etc. In general, three main varieties of mustard are grown worldwide for use.

• White mustard seeds: The seeds are light straw-yellow and slightly larger than the other two varieties. White seeds exhibit mild pungency.

• Black mustard: The seeds commonly grow in South Asia. They are sharp and more pungent than the other two varieties.

• Brown mustard: The seeds are native to the sub-Himalayan plains of Northern India.

Health benefits of Mustard seeds

1. Generally perceived as health benefiting spice, mustard seeds are indeed very rich in phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants.

2. Being one of the chief oil seeds, mustards are indeed very high in calories; 100 g of seeds provide 508 calories. Nonetheless, the seeds are made of quality proteins, essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.Mustard seeds are an excellent source of essential B-complex vitamins such as folates, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine (vitaminB-6), pantothenic acid. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish. These B-complex groups of vitamins help in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function and regulating body metabolism.

3. 100 g of mustards provide 4.733 mg of niacin (vitamin B-3). Niacin is a part of nicotinamide coenzymes that help lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

4. Mustard seeds contain flavonoid and carotenoid antioxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanthin, and lutein. In addition, the seeds compose a small amount of vitamin antioxidants such as vitamin-A, C, and vitamin-K.

5. The seeds are an excellent source of vitamin-E, gamma tocopherol; contain about 19.82 mg per 100 g (about 132% of RDA). Vitamin-E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucosa and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

Medicinal uses

• Mustard seeds and its oil has traditionally been used to relieve muscle pain, rheumatism and arthritic pain.

• In India, mustard oil is applied to the scalp and is believed to stimulate hair growth.

• Its ground seeds act as a laxative, stimulant to the gastric mucosa and increase intestinal secretion.