Mustard seed, an antioxidant-filled, fiber-loaded, and mineral-rich seed is only tiny to look at. In effect, its fit to be called a small package with a big surprise. From helping the muscle tissue relax to weight loss, the various health and beauty benefits of mustard seeds have been contributing towards its ever-rising demand for many centuries. Though some of its advantages are left in the dark, in this article we hope to shed light on how it (mustard seed) can be the ultimate health catalyst for your diet.
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Top Benefits of mustard seeds:
1. Mustard Seeds for Weight Loss
Being rich in dietary fibers, mustard seeds are known to promote healthy digestion. By keeping the stomach filled for a long time (as fibers are harder to digest), the intake of dietary fiber can be helpful in managing weight loss by preventing over-eating. Moreover, dietary fiber helps in the maintenance of a healthy bowel movement, which further results in a rather efficient metabolism that increases the rate of nutrient absorption in the intestines.
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2. Prevents Headaches
Mustard seeds are quite helpful when it comes to challenging migraine induced headaches. The rich magnesium content in mustard seeds is enough for soothing the nerves, which further relieves the body of any strain.
3. Helpful For Asthma
Eating mustard seeds can play a role in alleviating symptoms of asthma. This is thanks to the anti-contraction property of minerals such as magnesium present in mustard seeds. Inflammation of the airways, as well as muscle contraction, can also further lead to shortness of breath and narrowing of the airways. Intake of magnesium is responsible for the relaxation and dilation of these muscle tissues in the bronchi.
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4. Maintains Blood Pressure
Consumption of mustard seeds is responsible for the lowering of the blood pressure as it has a dilating effect on the arteries and adversely effects the presence of salt. Salt, when present in heavy amount, tends to constrict the blood vessels, which in turn increases the blood pressure. However, the presence of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and copper, that are present in mustard seeds, neutralizes the excess sodium, thus dilating the blood vessel and lowering the blood pressure.
5. Strengthens Bones
Apart from iron and magnesium, if there is another mineral that can be abundantly found in mustard seeds, it is selenium, a mineral responsible for increasing the durability and strength of the bones. Selenium also plays a vital role in the development of nails, hair, and teeth, thus making it a highly essential nutrient for the body. Moreover, considered as an important anti-oxidant, selenium is a free-radical scavenger, which helps in protecting the body against free radical damage.
6. Prevent Oxygen Deficiency
As mentioned, copper and iron are some of the most abundant nutrients present in mustard seeds which are also essential for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood. The main function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen across the various parts of the body and deliver it to the organs so that they can function properly. The consumption of an iron-rich diet can further result in oxygen-rich blood, thus making the organs more efficient, mind more active, and prevent diseases caused due to oxygen deficiency such as anemia.
7. Improves Cardiovascular Health
It is not a surprise that a well-maintained blood pressure level will eventually be also responsible for good cardiovascular health. And apart from balancing your blood pressure, the consumption of mustard seeds is also advantageous for reducing the bad cholesterol level in the blood, thus making it good for heart health.
Apart from being a health food when consumed, mustard seeds also go on to be quite a wonderful beauty enhancer, as we will now see. Here some of the advantages of mustard seeds for your hair and skincare routine:
8. Skin Moisturiser
The application of mustard seeds over the skin helps in the retention of moisture in the skin cells. Moreover, the mustard paste, once applied over the skin, can quite easily absorb the moisture of the surroundings and direct it towards the skin cells, thus keeping the skin moisturized for longer.
9. Prevents Infection Growth
Mustard seeds are a natural remedy against infection. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties, mustard seeds are quite useful for tackling fungal growth in the infected part of the body.
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10. Slows Down The Ageing Process
Loaded with antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and K, mustard seeds are natural free-radical scavengers, meaning that they protect the cells from getting attacked by free-radicals (which can lead to signs of aging). Thus, by doing so, and protecting the skin cells from free-radicals, mustard seeds give a tough competition to other beauty creams that claim to perform the same task.
Also Read: A To Z Of Antioxidant-Rich Food | Complete List Of Food Items To Fight Free-Radicals
11. Increases Hair Growth
The presence of Vitamin A makes mustard seeds quite useful for the hair. The application of mustard seed oil over the scalp can quite effectively stimulate the flow of blood, thus playing a vital role in nourishing the hair follicles.
12. Beneficial Scrub
Mustard seeds work as natural exfoliators for the skin, helpful in washing off the dead skin cells, and living behind a fresh and radiant look. The best way of making a powerful mustard seed-based pack for your skin is by grinding a handful mustard seeds and then mixing them up with other flavoring agents such as rose extracts in order to avoid that stingy smell of mustard. And also, if applied regularly, mustard seeds can also be useful for removing pimples and scars.
It is important to note that mustard seeds should not be perfectly powdered as they might not work as a scrub upon being ground fine.
Say what you will, but these 1-2mm thick seeds are vitally important, and their impact on one’s health can be seen on a macroscopic scale. So what are you waiting for? Now, as you know about the various health and beauty benefits of mustard seeds, you definitely know if it is the right fit for your needs, don’t you?