Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds are also famous as rai or sarson ke beej in India. All parts of the mustard plant (leaves, flowers, and seeds) are edible and possess numerous essential nutrients. These seeds are globally the third most common source of vegetable oil, after soya bean and palm oil.
Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black.The seeds are fruit pods obtained from the mustard plant, in the Brassica family.
Mustards are winter crops. The plant reaches about 4-5 feet in height and bears golden-yellow flowers. They are tiny, round seeds measuring about one mm in diameter found encased inside a fruit pod.
Types –
In general, three main varieties of mustard are grown worldwide for use.
• White mustard seeds (Sinapis alba or Brassica alba)
The seeds are light straw-yellow and slightly larger than the other two varieties. White seeds exhibit mild pungency.
• Black mustard (Brassica nigra)
The seeds commonly grow in South Asia. They are sharp and more pungent than the other two varieties.
• Brown mustard (Brassica juncea)
The seeds are native to the sub-Himalayan plains of Northern India.
The distinction between a rai and mustard seed is that the former is of black colour whereas the later has a yellow colour. Both of them are mustard seeds obtained from the mustard plant.
Benefits –
• Body Metabolism
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.
• Skincare
The seeds are an excellent source of vitamin-E. 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.
• Cardioprotective
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.
• Arthritis
Mustard seeds and its oil has traditionally been used to relieve muscle pain, rheumatism and arthritic pain.
• Constipation
Its ground seeds act as a laxative, stimulant to the gastric mucosa and increase intestinal secretion.
• Skin Health
Regular consumption of a mustard seeds-rich diet reduces inflammation and activates the healing process in psoriasis-caused lesions and contact dermatitis
• Hair Health
Those struggling with weak and brittle hair may rejoice! Mustard seeds are packed with protein, calcium, vitamin A and E, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, all of these help strengthen your hair from within.
• Rich source of Minreals
Mustards are rich source of health benefitingminerals. Calcium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium and zinc are some of the minerals especially concentrated in these seeds. Calcium helps build bone and teeth. Manganese used by the body as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is essential for the red blood cell formation and cellular metabolism.
Precautions –
In general, mustard seeds and oil consider being safe for human consumption when used in small amounts. A large quantity of mustard may cause gastric irritation, bleeding from the stomach and intestinal mucosa.
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