From:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Is-Yellow-Mustard-Good-For-You-Health-Benefits-of-Mustard

The Benefits Of Yellow Mustard

Yellow mustard, the kind you put on your hot dogs is a low calorie food. Unlike mayo or catsup it is low sugar, has no fat and may have some striking health benefits.

Mustard has been know since biblical times as an anti inflammatory agent however the main health benefits from yellow mustard come from the spice that gives it its yellow color.

The spice that gives yellow mustard its health benefits is turmeric.

Turmeric is another ancient healing plant. The yellow color in turmeric is loaded with healing properties.

Curcumin is thought to be the primary pharmacological comoponent in turmeric. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects are comparable to hydrocortisone as well as over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin.

Recent studies have shown strong anti cancer effects of curcumin and it has reduced the size of tumors in some patients. In cultures where curcumn consumption is high, such as India, there are less incidents of colon and breast cancer.

Prostate cancer is a rare occurrence in India as well and many researchers attribute this to curcumin as well.

Clinical trials of a circumin based regimen of foods have shown that it posesses strong antioxidant effects and destroys free radicals. It seems to have a positive effect on arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, even cystic fibrosis.

Curcumin has also been shown to help prevent colon cancer in rodent studies. Researchers set up a study to analyze how curcumin works and they found that it inhibits free radical damage of fats (such as those found in cell membranes and cholesterol) as well as prevents the formation of the inflammatory chemical cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and induces the formation of a primary liver detoxification enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes.

What this indicates is that curcumin is a powerful anti cancer agent.

So next time you squeeze out the mustard on your unhealthy hot dog you just might be counteracting some of the unhealthiness of it.

Try using yellow mustard instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches. Your waist and the rest of your body will thank you.

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From:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Mustard-for-Health---Speed-Up-Your-Metabolism-and-Improve-Digestion&id=718352

Mustard is known to be very helpful for digestion, and can help to speed up your metabolism.

Mustard produces such a tiny seed yet it yields many health benefits. Mustard is one of the most popular spices in the entire world and is used in every country as a favorite spice. Part of the cabbage family, mustard can be used in its whole seed form, as a ground powder or combined with wine, vinegar or some other liquid to create a loose paste.

There are three varieties of mustard: black, brown and white. The mustard plant grows to be quite tall and has a bright yellow flower.

It was imported to US through Spanish missionaries and seen as a cure-all. Its sharp and bitter taste, especially mixes into paste with vinegars, gave off a medicinal fume long before its health benefits were discovered.

Better than a Vitamin

Mustard seeds are a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, protein, selenium and zinc. Selenium is a nutrient that has been shown to help reduce asthma, arthritis and certain cancers. Magnesium also reduces asthma and lowers blood pressure. The effects of mustard are currently being studied for menopausal women and on migraine attacks.

Other Healthy Benefits

Just a few of mustard’s possible healthy benefits include:

Speeds up metabolism

Stimulates digestion, increasing saliva as much as eight times more than normal

Inhibits cancer cell growth and possibly prevents other types of cancer as well

Treatment of skin diseases through the application of sulfur found in mustard

Reduces in the severity of asthma

Decreases symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Lowering of high blood pressure

Prevention of migraines

Facilitation of gastric juices which aids digestive problems and gives digestive aid

Soothing of sore throats, bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia

Disinfectant qualities it provides

Additionally it has four powerful qualities: it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Add Mustard to Your Diet

Mustard is for more than just hot dogs at the ballpark. Whether in ground powder form, seed form or out of the bottle, there are multiple ways to include mustard into your diet to reap its benefits. And since its pungent, tangy taste enhances food so uniquely, it can easily replace fattier condiment options such as mayonnaise, butters and sugary catsups.

Mustard is often used in Indian, French, German and Irish foods. But there are many more options as well.

Include powdered mustards in salad dressings, egg dishes, pickles, marinades and vinaigrettes.

Sprinkle whole mustard seeds on salads, over vegetables and rice and on roasting meats. Try roasting them first in a dry skillet for a nuttier taste. Mustard paste is useful. Bottled mustard can be rubbed on meats before roasting. Try dipping cut vegetables in a mustard sauce for a unique, flavorful dip. Mustard paste can easily be added to mayonnaises, vinaigrettes, marinades and barbeque sauces.

Mustard is so versatile; you will find many exciting and new ways to use this old standby.

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Copyright (c) 2009 David Arthur.

This page was last updated on December 9, 2009
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