So far, people only know the Mustard as a vegetable. We often call it a Caisim for Meatball noodles, or as Cha Caisim. Though Mustard-seed is processed into Mustard oil and condiment such as seasoning or sauce. In India, Mustard oil is known as quite important oil for cooking Additionally Mustard oil is also an ingredient of pharmaceutical industry and a mixture of alcohol, especially wine. In Russia, Mustard oil is even used for the substitution of Olive oil. Currently, India is also currently designing an agro-industrial Mustard oil for biodiesel feedstock. Although Mustard productivity is only 1,300 liters oil/hectare a year.

If we eat the Europeans food in a hotel, we would have met with a bunch of yellow paste or sauce. Usually, this yellow sauce is used for greasing bread, boiled potatoes, salad and steak. Yellow sauce is called Mustard condiment, and is used together with the mayonnaise, ketchup, tomato sauce and sambal (chili sauce).

Spicy flavor of mustard condiment or mustard sauce is very typical. Spiciness really stung in the nasal cavity and make the eyes very spicy. That is the differences between Mustard  sauce and spicy chili, pepper and ginger.

Those who tasted the spicy mustard sauce for the first time will be surprised and yelling about its spiciness. But they were already a couple of times to eat it, they are hooked. Then there any health benefits for added mustard oil in the diet?

The nutrients content in 100 grams of mustard oil and condiment are: energy 70 kcal (280 kJ); carbohydrates 8 grams; sugar 3 grams; fiber 3 grams; fat 3 grams; protein 4 grams; Saturated Fat 11.6 g; Total Omega-3 fatty acids 5900 mg, Total Omega-6 fatty acids 15 332 mg and 59.2 g Monounsaturated Fat

Health Benefits Of Using Mustard Oil In Cooking

1. Increase Rate of Metabolism and Digestive Process

Mustard oil can help to improve the process of digestion in the body. Consumption of mustard also can increase saliva production up to 8 times that can help accelerate the process of digestion. In addition, because contains antifungal and antiseptic, the mustard can help strengthen immune system.

2. Sources of Vitamin B Complex

Because they contain B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin and pyridoxine; mustard oil can increase energy and improve the formation of red blood cells and reduce inflammation in patients haemodialysis. Vitamin B complex also help the speed of healing process and keep the nervous system functioning.

3. Prevent cancer: skin cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer (omega-3 fatty acids and selenium)

The University of Manchester discovered the benefits of omega 3 for the skin. People who eat omega 3 proved to have strong resistance to exposure to solar radiation. And this will certainly keep us from skin cancer. British Journal of Cancer, turns omega 3 is also very good for preventing ovarian cancer.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that women who ate fish three times a week, 33 percent less likely to develop polyps, or growths in the colon tissue. Colon polyps can become malignant, and increasing with age, and have a tendency to cause colon cancer.

4. Nourish the heart and relieve stress (omega 3,6 and selenium)

Omega 3 is known to be very good for heart health, cholesterol control and normalize the heartbeat. Even omega-3 is also able to relieve stress.

5. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels: reducing the level of triglycerides, and raise HDL levels (omega 3 and omega 6)

High triglyceride levels and low HDL levels in the body are two major problems for people suffering from diabetes. Beneficial of  Omega 3 helps to reduce triglyceride levels and raise HDL levels, thereby effectively to help fight diabetes.

6. Ensure the growth of a healthy baby and intelligent

Health Benefits of Using Mustard Oil In Cooking for healthy baby is very important. Especially for women who are pregnant, it is advisable to obtain omega-3 fatty acid intake is adequate. It is important and necessary for healthy fetal brain development. Sufficient intake of omega 3 in the diet of pregnant women, will make sure the baby is born healthy and intelligent. Less omega 3 in the diet of pregnancy can cause baby born with mental problems.

7. Boost Immunity, Preventing hormonal imbalances, and prevent the development Disorders.

EPA and DHA are long chain omega 3 fatty acids, essential for the body to fight hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Thus, it will ensure proper growth of the child’s behavior. It is also important to combat the disease, while strengthening the immune system.

8. Improve eyesight and prevent vision problems caused by diabetes

These fatty acids will help to prevent macular degeneration problem, namely the age-related eye conditions further. The condition is more serious macular degeneration can cause blindness. Thus Omega 3 will ensure good vision even during old age.

Impaired vision due to diabetes or diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with omega 3. Omega 3 is able to maintain the function of the retina and prevent inflammation. Thus, people who are currently experiencing diabetes, immediate consumption of omega 3 on a regular basis good to prevent complications.

9. Increase the volume of the brain

People who eat omega 3 will have larger brains than those who rarely or never consume it at all. When getting older, the volume of the human brain will continue to shrink, but not for people who consume omega-3. Their brain size even more and two years younger.

10. Relieve menstrual pain

Many women who suffer from abdominal discomfort and cramps during menstruation, in medical terms is known as dysmenorrhea. This is due to the strong uterine contractions, induced by prostaglandin (a chemical in the body that contribute to pain and inflammation). Studies have found that omega-3 has containt anti-inflammatory, which can help to soothe menstrual pain.

Omega 3 is also shown to help control the hormonal fluctuations and stabilize mood. This is why the woman during her menstrual periods decreased mood and more emotional.

11. Preventing osteoporosis.

Omega-3 fatty acids can help increase levels of calcium and increase bone density. However, this evidence is less convincing. Some research also suggests that people who do not get sufficient intake of essential fatty acids like as omega-6 fatty acids, more likely to have brittle bones when compared to those with normal levels intake of omega 3.

12. Improves mood

Omega 3 also can prevent depression. In the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry stated that omega-3 supplement is effective against severe depression, but not with anxiety disorders.

Omega 3 supplement that is used to stabilize mood and improve the quality life of patients. In another study conducted by the University of Pavia about the relationship of omega 3 and depression in elderly women, known to have the same benefits.

13. Preventing and treating coronary heart disease (omega 6)

Coronary heart disease is particularly true when the narrowing of blood vessels. Its occurs when oxidized LDL cholesterol in the blood accumulate. The process of narrowing of the arteries can be reduced by increasing the levels of PGE1, therefore omega-6 can reduce blood vessel and the phenomenon of coronary heart disease.

14. Lowering blood pressure

Hypertension is a highly prevalent phenomenon today. Generally, this disease is caused by unhealthy lifestyle. If not addressed, it can lead to strok, blindness and hypertension.

Omega 6 is known to help treat hypertension, like as stated of the journal: American Physiology Society stated that Omega 6 effectively lowers blood pressure because PGE1, derivatives having vasodilator effect.

15. Normalize blood sugar levels

Diabetes is also a common phenomenon nowadays. Diabetes is divided into two types: type 1 is dependent on insulin and type 2 is not dependent on insulin, but the insulin produced ineffectiveness or disruption of the pancreas function for insulin secretion is not enough (± 95% patient diabetic belong to this type).

When it’s already take so many drugs to lower blood sugar levels, but omega-6 can also serve to lower blood sugar levels. Omega-6 can increase the effectiveness and stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. So, it can lower blood sugar levels.

16. Treat rheumatism

Rheumatism or osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs due to inflammation in the joints. The disease causes pain, blocking movement and can cause disability if it not addressed.

Although it’s been a lot of drug that is claimed to treat, mostly only relieve pain and reduce inflammation but does not stop the process of tissue damage that occurs.

17. Preventing and repairing stroke

Stroke occurs when the blood in the brain ruptures or clogged. Nowadays stroke has become the main causes of death in Indonesia. Stroke generally occurs when the high blood pressure.

It can prevent stroke because it can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels as well to normalize blood sugar levels as mentioned above. Besides it, omega 6 potentially able to repair damage caused by stroke or due to diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s.

18. Useful for the skin, cell regeneration and repair endurance/stamina

Omega 6 has a very good influence for the skin and hair. The beauty forum in 2003 stated that a lack of omega-6 can cause the skin to become rough, flaky, brittle nails and hair are easy to fall off. That’s why omega 6 is also very important for the world of beauty

Omega 6 also helps to speed up the regeneration of cells, the flexibility of the joints, and the transfer of oxygen in the blood. Therefore these substances can increase their endurance and stamina which is indispensable in all activities

19. Increase body temperature

Foods containing omega 6 fatty acids helps in increasing thermogenesis (heat production in the body), prevent muscle damage, eliminate fatigue and strengthen bones and muscles.

Side effects of using mustard oil in cooking

Anything taken in excess can be harmful to health. Similarly, Omega 6 and Omega 3 in mustard oil. Although Omega-6 are essential fatty acids that are beneficial, if consumed more than the required amount and then changed to ‘unimportant substance’ and can cause many health problems.

The imbalance can cause inflammation of the tissue and the muscles in the body. It also makes the body more susceptible to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, blood clotting problems, etc. It is also recommended for people with seizure to avoid taking supplements such as omega 6, because it can cause seizures which can be more severe in intensity.