Short answer
Mustard is great for you. There are so many benefits to mustard (in particular mustard seeds and turmeric) that it is difficult to list every benefit. As for drawbacks, there being no protein and no dietary fiber may be the only two.
Recommended Alternative
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
While condiments are often not thought of as being a good part of a healthy diet, mustard certainly deserves recommendation as one of the best things to consume. Assuming you are eating one of the leading brand's classic yellow mustard, there is are no fat, no cholesterol, no carbohydrates, and a low amount of sodium (sodium is found in such abundance in other foods, it shouldn't be difficult to get enough of this in your diet from other sources).
In addition to what is seen on the nutrition label, there are other wonderful benefits hidden in mustard. First and foremost is the ingredient that gives mustard its characteristic yellow color - turmeric. Turmeric is a common spice used to add a yellow color to various foods. Most importantly, however, it contains curcumin. Curcumin has been linked to preventing prostate cancer. In fact, India, a country in which mustard seeds are used in many dishes, prostate cancer is incredibly rare, with a death rate of just over three per 100,000 annually. Mustard also contains phytonutrients which aid in digestion, prevent constipation and upset stomach, and ward off gastrointestinal cancer. Due to its selenium and magnesium content, mustard also helps protect against various respiratory problems including the common cold, chest congestion, and asthma. Selenium and magnesium have also been shown to relieve pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis. The B-complex vitamins in mustard speed up metabolism, aiding in weight loss, while niacin (vitamin B3) has the additional positive effect of lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Two other benefits of mustard are that it aids in hair growth as well as improves the body's general immunity to a wide host of illnesses.
There is a wide variety of mustards available and the above benefits are regarding yellow mustard in particular, though they are present wherever mustard seeds and turmeric are as well. If you are using other types of mustard, honey mustard for example, you will want to check the label for unwanted ingredients such as sugar.
Benefits
- helps prevent gastrointestinal cancer
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helps prevent prostate cancer
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helps prevent asthma
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promotes hair growth
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improves immunity
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aids in weight loss
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lowers cholesterol
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relieves rheumatoid pain
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relieves arthritic pain
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promotes digestion
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may help relieve an upset stomach
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may help prevent constipation
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Annie's Organic Mustard
- USDA Organic
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Zero artificial flavors
- 9 oz. bottle
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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