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.
