Mustard is one of the most diverse and varied condiments people use in their cooking recipes. You could add it to your sandwich and dishes to give it a distinct flavor. Mustards are considered harmless.
However, many gluten intolerant people still wonder about the health implications of using mustard in their daily recipes. Although it is a mixture of several proteins, gluten can be dangerous to people who have conditions like gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.
If a gluten-intolerant person eats food that contains gluten, they can get abdominal pains, constipation, persistent diarrhea, bloating, and a heightened weight loss. This is why most people who are allergic to gluten insist on knowing the general gluten content of all foods.
Hence the question, is mustard gluten-free? Yes, mustards are naturally gluten-free. They grow from mustard plants. But if you are getting a commercially produced mustard, make sure to check the nutritional labels because most commercially sold mustards contain additives like wheat flour from malt vinegar, which is a gluten source.
Does Mustard Seed Contain Gluten?
Technically, to prepare a mustard recipe, you need the seeds. What this suggests is that every mustard product, whether ground flour, mustard powder, or finely prepared mustard condiment founds from mustard seeds.
Also, as a condiment, mustard has protein content in them. Gluten is a protein but can cause unwarranted bodily reactions to some people. If you get mustards with the main ingredient being the mustard seed, does this mean that mustard seeds are gluten-free?
Yes, mustard seeds are gluten-free. But when harvested may move with various substances that are harmful to gluten intolerant people.
Research suggests that most times, mustards are grown as a single crop. But there are times where mustard seeds are grown in the same environment, with lentils and wheat. This added variant in the surroundings where mustards are grown can be problematic. This is because many people end up mixing both lentils, wheat, and mustards.
Hence, when ground into flour or made as a condiment can cause reactive disorders in gluten intolerant people. Regardless, when you carefully pick the mustard seeds, they do not contain gluten.
Is it Safe to Eat Mustard?
Eating mustard, whether the seed, mustard flour, or leaves, and even when used as condiments are all generally safe. Mustard seed is a great source of selenium, fiber, and magnesium that aids bodily functions. On the other hand, mustard leaves have a significant amount of copper, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
Regardless of the mustard variant you take, they’re generally safe to eat. However, you would want to ensure you consume little amounts, like a little serving — which is typically around a tablespoon. This way, you can prevent unpleasant situations and effects. Consuming a large amount of mustard may cause abdominal pains, inflammation, and diarrhea.
Does Mustard Have Any Health Benefits?
When it comes to your health, the first thing you need to know about mustards is that you need to take them in small amounts. The next thing to put in mind is that mustards serve various purposes, and when used as a condiment, have significant health benefits.
Finally, you should know that they do not contain much fat or has low-calories than most condiments like mayonnaise. When you know this, the next thing that may likely come to mind is, “what way does mustard improve your health?”
Mustards are a superfood and have several health benefits including preventing infection, clearing the voice, helping with urination, and improving appetite.
They have also been found to be effective in treating colds, reducing pains and cramps on the muscles and joints. Some researchers also say that they could be useful for treating arthritis symptoms.
Some people also like including mustard in their organic beauty products. They believe that it can improve skin colors and build healthier hair.
Is Mustard Oil Good for Weight Loss?
To get your mustard oil, you need to dry the mustard seed, ground it, and the last process, extract the oil from the seed. While mustard has numerous uses, such as its use in cooking and as hair oil, there’s also one other benefit you probably did not know about.
Mustard oil helps to reduce weight. Mustard has about 20% calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates, which can be considered low in carbs and fat.
The oil is rich in monosaturated fats, which is great for the heart. It also contains polyunsaturated fats, which help in body development. Hence, they are fats that will not make you gain weight too quickly. These fats make up about 75% of the calories contained in mustard oil.
Moreover, when one consumes mustard oil, a thermogenic effect occurs in the body. By thermogenic effect, we mean a process whereby heat is produced in the body. When this happens, you are likely to eat lesser or have a decreased appetite because of the heat produced in the body. Therefore, taking mustard oil means a lower intake of food, which also means reduced weight gain.
Research also shows that mustard oil is rich in fiber. The fiber keeps you full for a long time so, you don’t have to eat much.
Final Thoughts
- Mustards are definitely gluten-free. However, ensure that you check the nutritional label for commercially produced mustards as they may contain what or lentils, which has a high gluten content.
- The mustard is gotten from mustard seed, and since mustards are gluten-free, this also means that the seeds are also gluten-free.
- Mustard is generally safe to eat because if it’s a significant amount of nutrients in them. Some of these valuable contents include selenium, calcium, copper, and vitamins A, C, and K.
- Mustards have a lot of health benefits. For instance, the mustard seed can help clear your voice, prevent infection, improve urination, and improve your appetite.
- Mustard oil has about 75% of fat in it with the monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats. However, these calories are not bad. They help the body in healthy functioning.