Mustard is one of the well-known spices and has benefits, but it also has caveats and is not suitable for thyroid patients if it is consumed in a large amount, we review its health effects and caveats in this report.

We emphasize here that mustard is not a cure for any disease or health condition, and should not be used as a substitute for medication or see a doctor, and ask your doctor if eating mustard may benefit you in dealing with certain health problems.

Mustard plant seeds

Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant, and its leaves and seeds are edible, making it a versatile addition to your dishes, according to a report by Healthline.

Mustard ingredients

Mustard leaves contain calcium, copper, vitamins C, A and K, while its seeds are rich in fiber, selenium, magnesium and manganese.

According to a report in Webmd, 20 grams of mustard seeds contain:

  • Calories: 101.6 kcal
  • Dietary fiber: 2.44 g
  • Protein: 5.22 grams
  • Fat: 7.24 grams
  • Vitamin C: 1.42 milligrams
  • Vitamin K: 1.08 mcg
  • Thiamine: 0.16 mg
  • Riboflavin: 0.05 mg
  • Niacin: 0.95 mg
  • Folic acid: 32.4 mcg
  • Calcium: 53.2 milligrams
  • Iron: 1.84 milligrams
  • Zinc: 1.22 milligrams
  • Copper: 0.13 milligrams
  • Magnesium: 74 milligrams
  • Phosphorus: 165.6 milligrams
  • Potassium: 147.6 milligrams
  • Sodium: 2.6 milligrams
  • Manganese: 0.49 milligrams
  • Selenium: 41.6 mcg

Mustard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, making them a versatile addition to salads, soups, and stews.

Mustard seeds can be soaked in warm milk, whipped in salad dressings, grinded, sprinkled in warm meals, or soaked and used to make mustard paste.

The benefits of mustard

  • Mustard is a source of beneficial antioxidants: Mustard contains antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that are believed to help protect the body from diseases.

For example, mustard is a great source of glucosinolates, a group of sulfur-containing compounds found in all cruciferous vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage and mustard.

Glucosinolins are believed to stimulate the body's antioxidant defenses to protect against diseases.

Mustard is also rich in carotenoids, isorhamnetin and kaempferol.

Research links these flavonoid antioxidants to protection against conditions such as type II diabetes, heart disease and possibly some cancers.

  • Mustard may provide protection against cancer: Research in animals in the laboratory suggests that the glucosines in mustard may help kill cancer cells or prevent them from spreading, however more human research is needed.
  • Mustard may lower blood sugar levels: One small human study suggests that taking a blood sugar-lowering medication with green mustard decoction may lower it in people with type II diabetes more effectively than medication alone.
  • Mustard may help psoriasis patients: Animal studies suggest that a diet rich in mustard seeds may help reduce inflammation and promote the healing of lesions caused by psoriasis.

Is mustard safe?

Eating mustard seeds, leaves, or pulp is generally safe for most people, especially when consumed in amounts normally found in the average person's diet.

However, consuming large amounts such as those commonly found in mustard extracts may lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea and intestinal inflammation.

Uncooked mustard seeds and leaves also contain a large amount of "goitrogens," compounds that can interfere with the normal function of the thyroid gland, the gland responsible for regulating metabolism.

This is unlikely to cause a problem in people whose thyroid function is normal.

However, people with underperformance or impaired thyroid function may want to soak, boil or cook mustard seeds and leaves before eating them, or limit their intake in general.

Although mustard seeds are relatively safe, research has shown bad effects of erucic acid, a compound found in mustard that damages liver enzymes and can also affect fertility, so it should not be consumed in excess.