Mustard, with its unique tangy flavour, is a popular condiment and a flavouring agent in the world of tasty food. From sauces and seeds to oils and leafy greens, mustard is used in a variety of hot and cold meals for flavouring and health benefits. When cravings hit, and you reach for the bottle of mustard to layer your oh-so-needed sandwich, you might come across a very simple question, ‘Is it safe to consume mustard during pregnancy?’ While it is a popular choice for enhancing the taste of dishes in general, it is important to know whether or not eating mustard during pregnancy is safe. Why? Well, during pregnancy, concerns about food safety and potential effects on the baby’s development become paramount. Let’s delve into this question to help you make informed decisions about including mustard in your pregnancy diet.
Yes, you can eat mustard when you are pregnant. You can have foods that contain mustard sauce, seeds, mustard leaves, or even mustard oil during pregnancy. As with most things in pregnancy, moderation is crucial. You should make sure to consume mustard in moderation. If the consumption of mustard during pregnancy is very high, it might sometimes lead to a miscarriage. If you wish to consume mustard seeds, it is better to consult a doctor when you are pregnant.
Mustard contains essential nutrients that can offer several health benefits. Besides being tasty, let’s see what health benefits mustard provides to a pregnant woman:
Rich in dietary fibre, it aids digestion and prevents constipation—a common issue during pregnancy. Mustard seeds are also rich in essential minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium, which contribute to the mother’s and baby’s overall well-being.
Mustard has a high content of selenium and magnesium, which provides you with anti-inflammatory benefits. Therefore, consuming mustard can help you prevent and regulate colds, chest congestion, and asthma when you are pregnant.
Mustard is rich in phytonutrients that will help prevent the development of gastrointestinal cancer very effectively. Mustard seeds are great at preventing the growth of cancer cells and inhibit the development of every other cancer while pregnant.
Mustard seeds have a high content of minerals, such as manganese, iron, and copper. This mineral content present in the mustard will help in increasing the immunity of the body and prevent hazardous infections and other ailments. Also, the sulphur content in the mustard seeds will provide you with antifungal and antibacterial benefits to help fight skin infections during pregnancy.
Mustard is rich in folates, thiamine, riboflavin, and many other vitamins that are good at promoting the metabolism of the body when pregnant. It also helps to regulate the weight of the body effectively.
It has high amounts of niacin and vitamin B3 that help regulate the cholesterol levels in the body. This will protect you from conditions like atherosclerosis. Adding mustard to the food you eat will also regulate blood pressure and blood flow effectively.
Mustard comprises mucilage, a unique substance that is thick and slimy. This will help to relieve constipation. The fibre content in the mustard seeds reduces the trouble resulting from constipation.
The selenium and magnesium content in mustard gives you heat-producing and anti-inflammatory benefits that reduce the symptoms of arthritis and muscle pain when pregnant.
You need to ensure that you do not consume excess amounts of mustard when adding mustard seeds, leaves, or sauce to your food, as it might affect your pregnancy and health. Mustard contains a compound called allyl isothiocyanate, because of which it gets its pungent taste. If consumed excessively, this compound might cause irritation and discomfort, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Pregnant women prone to frequent heartburn or acid reflux should consume mustard in smaller quantities; otherwise, it might exacerbate these symptoms.
Here are some side effects of consuming too much mustard during pregnancy.
Though eating mustard is considered to be safe, it is best to check with your gynaecologist before you consume it. Including mustard seeds in your food can increase the flavour. When consumed in moderation, it offers multiple health benefits. If you’re unsure about whether to include mustard in your diet, it’s best to talk to your doctor about it. They can offer personalised guidance based on your pregnancy progress.
Have a healthy pregnancy!
References/Resources:
1. Tela. F. G, Gebremariam. L. W, Beyene. S. A; Food taboos and related misperceptions during pregnancy in Mekelle city, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia; PLoS One; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7553351/; October 2020
2. What to eat before, during and after pregnancy; UNICEF South Asia; https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/what-eat-during-and-after-pregnancy
3. Aggarwal. D, Dr; Pregnancy Diet: What to Eat & What to Avoid; CK Birla Hospital; https://www.ckbhospital.com/blogs/pregnancy-diet-what-to-eat-what-to-avoid/; September 2021
4. Eib. S, Schneider. D. J, Hensel. O, Seuß-Baum. I; Relationship between mustard pungency and allyl-isothiocyanate content: A comparison of sensory and chemical evaluations; Journal of Food Science; IFT; https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1750-3841.15383; August 2020
5. Raikwar. R. S; Nutritional value/100 g of mustard seed; ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Nutritional-value-100-g-of-mustard-seed_tbl1_333207502; May 2019
Also Read:
Panchamrut during Pregnancy
Eating Soya Bean when Pregnant
Benefits of Black Gram (Urad Dal) in Pregnancy
This post was last modified on September 8, 2023 4:31 pm
As winter's chill sends flurries of excitement through our hearts, we eagerly anticipate the festive…
As the snow starts to fall and the festive season approaches, our homes and hearts…
The holiday season is a magical time, especially for the little ones. As we approach…
As the merry season approaches, our homes resonate with the sounds of giggles and the…
As the snow begins to settle and the festive lights shimmer in the distance, the…
Ah, the festive season of Christmas! As the jingle bells start ringing and snowflakes begin…