Mustard oil, when improperly processed from mustard seeds, does have some toxicity. But if you are opting for a good quality mustard oil, then these are some of the ways it can help your health:
1. Good for heart health
You might have heard the opposite and ditched mustard oil forever, but this ingredient is actually chock full of monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFA, which actually lowers bad cholesterol levels in the body. Instead of clogging up your veins with its density, mustard oil actually helps with blood circulation and keeps a check on the blood fat levels. A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition actually states that mustard oil is very good for your heart health.
2. Helps fight bacteria and fungus
Mustard oil contains strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Whether you cook with it or apply it externally, it can fight off infections in the digestive system and cure bacterial and fungal skin infections. A study published in the Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons even suggests that mustard oil can effectively kill dental bacteria, and can also keep vaginal yeast infections at bay.
3. Increases body metabolism
Instead of making digestion more difficult, food cooked in mustard oil helps improve digestion. Mustard oil is a very potent stimulant, and can help the liver and spleen produce increased levels of digestive enzymes, which can increase the speed of digestion and body's metabolic capacity. The diaphoretic ability of mustard oil can also help in flushing out toxins from the body.
4. Improves the skin and hair
Mustard oil is also chock full of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA, which makes it really good for your skin--and not just when rubbed on directly. Mustard oil can stop the both skin and hair from turning rough and brittle, even when ingested through food. If your consume mustard oil regularly, your skin and hair will be safe from free radical damage from ultraviolet light, naturally.
5. Cough and cold relief
Quite like wasabi, it is the pungence of mustard oil that can help relieve the symptoms of cough and cold. While rubbing it on your chest is quite effective, so is ingesting it via steam. If you don't believe us, try adding a few teaspoons of mustard oil in boiling water and take the steam. It will clear out all the phlegm in your lungs and respiratory tract in a jiffy.
While it's still best to not overuse mustard oil, in case of any adulteration or toxicity, you should definitely include it in your diet for all the benefits it offers.
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