Mustard Oil Benefits for Skin, Myths, Weight loss Tips - The Complete Guide

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Much of the enigma that surrounds mustard oil is due to the fact that the oil is used for external application as well as in cooking – with a number of benefits deriving from both.

Mustard oil is extracted from the seeds of the Brassica family of plants. For centuries now, it has been used as a food additive and as a medication for many illnesses.

It is notable for its very pungent taste. The oil is also a popular ingredient that has featured in many Indian and Bangladeshi food recipes.

Mustard oil is extracted for two main purposes: 

1. Vegetable/cooking oil – Extracted through the cold compression of mustard seeds, mechanical expelling and solvent extraction.
2. Essential oil – Mustard seeds are soaked in water, and then the oil is extracted through steam distillation.

 The Benefits of Mustard Oil

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From acting as a catalyst for easy digestion to reducing the risk of cancer and maintaining normal body temperature levels – The health benefits of mustard oil are numerous. This article will endeavour to discuss some of the mustard oil benefits for skin while also touching upon the myths attached to using mustard oil and how to use it for domestic cooking purposes.

Mustard Oil Benefits for Skin

Through the external application of mustard oil, especially while massaging, the oil has proven more than useful. Its application is known to protect your skin from radical damage caused by Ultraviolet rays and pollution.

Experts have gone on record to say that the mustard oil benefits for skin also include the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines. Since it is rich in Vitamin E, the oil is said to improve the health of your skin as well. When mustard oil is massaged on to the skin, the Vitamin E content in the oil helps with the circulation of blood while also increasing your immunity.

Some of the many mustard oil benefits for skin also include the following:

• According to Research Gate, mustard oil is quite helpful in the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections upon its direct application to the skin.
• Some of the properties found in the oil help in the treatment of skin diseases.
• Internally speaking, mustard oil helps to fight the occurrence of contagions present in your internal organs.
• It is known to prevent skin diseases from presenting itself in children.

Improves Cardiac Health

Including mustard oil in your diet could prevent you from getting heart disease. Because the oil is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, mustard oil helps lower your cholesterol levels.

Mustard Oil is Good for Your Hair

The omega-3 fatty acids present in mustard oil allows your hair to grow and become healthier.

The Nutritive Value of Mustard Oil

Because of the high calcium content in mustard oil, it is ideal for bone health. Mustard oil also contains high levels of sodium and potassium, which helps in controlling the balance of acids and bases in the body.

Here’s a detailed look at the nutritional composition of mustard oil (100 gm) 

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Myths Surrounding Mustard Oil

There are a host of myths surrounding cooking oil, particularly regarding which ones are safe for your heart, health, and wellbeing.

1. Vegetable oil versus Mustard Oil – A popular notion that has been floating around for some years now is the fact that refined vegetable oils are good for your heart as compared to other cooking oils.

   As per the research conducted by the National Library of Medicine, this is actually just a myth. The study implies that vegetable oils are much more detrimental to your health than what was earlier suggested through advertisements and so on.

   In fact, the researchers have gone on to say that it would be in people’s best interests to switch to oils such as Mustard oil for cooking in order to reduce the risk of Alveolar Hydatid Disease (AHD), dyslipidaemias and Type 2 Diabetes.

2. Mustard Oil is Toxic – For the longest time, people stayed away from using mustard oil too much, especially in the United States. This was because a study made in the 1970s showed that since mustard oil contained high levels of erucic acid, it could be toxic to the human heart if consumed in large quantities.

   However, recent studies show that erucic acid was only toxic to rats because of its inability to activate the erucic acid to erucyl-CoA efficiently. And they have therefore deemed it quite safe to use, even in large quantities.

Tips to Use Mustard Oil for Cooking

Because mustard oil contains a fair amount of essential fatty acids and large amounts of antioxidants, the oil produces very few calories when consumed. Therefore, using mustard oil as cooking oil for the following kinds of food could be essential to your weight loss journey:

• Frying wafers, various kinds of fritters and chips.
• Using mustard oil in salads instead of the usual vegetable oil.
• Utilise it as a preservative for pickles.
• Make a plethora of chutneys using mustard oil.
• You can even use mustard oil as a flavouring agent.

Conclusion

Mustard oil has several uses. Moreover, it has something in it for everyone, in that it is nuanced in its application. Be it for domestic cooking, massaging or even when used therapeutically.