One Major Effect of Eating Mustard, Says Science
In a world full of ketchup and mayo lovers, mustard sometimes gets left on the back shelf. But with its bold flavors, low amounts of calories and sugar, and potential health benefits, mustard deserves a bit more time in the spotlight.
Mustard seeds are rich in tons of different nutrients like fiber, magnesium, potassium, and much more! And one major effect of eating mustard is that it also provides you with a quick and easy boost of calcium. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 teaspoon of mustard contains around 4 milligrams of calcium. Adding a teaspoon—or two—to your sandwich can give your lunch an extra calcium boost.
While the number is small compared to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per person, finding a condiment that isn't dairy-based that includes calcium is significant, and can help with your overall daily goals.
Calcium is an essential part of a healthy diet, and without it, we might experience things like fatigue, loss of memory, and muscle spasms. Here are some of the ways we can benefit from the extra calcium we get from eating mustard.
Calcium can help us maintain a healthy PH
Calcium is important for a number of reasons, including helping us maintain a healthy pH balance. When we talk about measuring a pH balance, what we are referring to is the level of natural acidity in our bodies.
When our pH levels are off balance, we can experience things like kidney stones and infections, issues with our blood, and problems with our gut microbiota. According to BMJ Open Journal, incorporating calcium into our diets can actually help us even out our body's pH levels.
Mustard also contains phosphorous, which works similarly to calcium as a pH buffer in your body as well.
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It can strengthen our bones
Calcium is one of the most important elements in our bodies for helping us maintain strong bones. According to an article published in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 99% of our body's calcium is found in our bones and teeth, with the remainder being stored in our plasma.
This is important because if we don't get enough calcium to maintain the balance of plasma calcium to bone calcium, our bodies undergo something called resorption. This is when our bodies transfer calcium from bone tissue to our plasma, which can weaken our bone mass if it's done too much.
Because of this, consuming enough calcium will help our bones maintain their strength and natural balance of calcium.
Calcium can protect our heart muscles
An article published in Circulation Research found that calcium is an essential mineral in having a healthy heart. This is ultimately because calcium works to protect the muscles around our heart and ensure that they're functioning properly.
According to The Journal of Clinical Investigation, calcium is needed in order for heart muscles to be able to relax and contract at healthy rates. Relaxation and contraction of these muscles are crucial for the flow and refilling of blood in the heart chambers.
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