Most edible oils are just fat that is designed to absorb heat and cook the food that is immersed in the hot oil. And then there are some oils which cook your food and also have certain health benefits to offer. However, cold-pressed Mustard Oil stands apart from other oils because it is known to have powerful medicinal properties – and some of these attributes have been known for thousands of years; that’s why the ancient Indian healing science of Ayurveda used Mustard Oil so extensively in its formulations. In the past two decades or so, modern science and medicine have been reiterating these properties of Mustard Oil – and also discovering new health benefits along the way.
An article published in the Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research details an in-depth analysis of the medicinal qualities of cold-pressed Mustard Oil. Among other things, the article states that Mustard Oil doesn’t just keep you healthy, it also protects you from chronic diseases like coronary vascular disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer and diabetes.
The article points out that the regular use of Mustard Oil in one’s diet reduces the adhesive tendencies of blood platelets, thereby significantly lowering the risks of heart attacks and heart failure.
Mustard Oil also strengthens Red Blood Cells (RBC) and improves the quality of the RBC membrane structure. This helps in increasing good cholesterol (HDL) while reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) at the same time.
Mustard Oil is one of the richest plant-based sources of a vital compound known as Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is also rich in Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA). Both of these are good fats that help in lowering the risk of hypertension and stroke.
This oil also has powerful anti-carcinogenic properties that help in the prevention (and even treatment) of certain types of cancers like colon, colorectal and gastrointestinal cancer. These cancer-fighting properties are derived from a compound called Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC) found in cold-pressed Mustard Oil.
Mustard Oil is also proven to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which make it suitable for persons with diabetes. In particular, Mustard Oil contains Erucic Acid which decreases insulin resistance in the body and thereby helps in managing blood sugar levels.
So in case any of you were thinking that Mustard Oil is just an old-fashioned cooking medium used for preparing traditional Indian meals, think again. It’s a whole lot more than that. In fact, it’s strong medicine that fights an impressive array of diseases.