Mustard's Surprising Health Benefits: The Condiment That's More Than Just a Topping

As of November 2025, the humble mustard condiment is proving to be more than just a hot dog topping. According to recent research, the tiny mustard seed is packed with a wealth of health benefits.

Mustard seeds contain Omega-3s, good fats that have been tied to improving heart, brain, and joint health. These essential nutrients are not produced by the body, and deficiencies have been linked to increases in heart disease and cancer. Mustard is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as eye-protecting vitamin A, immune health-guarding selenium, the cell-forming B vitamin folate, and bone-strengthening phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.

Beyond its nutritional profile, mustard has also been shown to have a positive impact on blood sugar levels and weight management. A teaspoon of wholegrain mustard was found to cut blood sugar levels nearly in half for three pre-diabetic patients in the U.K., and a study on diabetic rats in India yielded similar benefits.

Mustard's versatility extends beyond its health properties. The condiment has been used in cooking since at least 3000 B.C., with the ancient Sumerians relying on it to "mask" the taste of rotting food. It was also used medicinally as an antiseptic and to treat colds and flu. Today, nearly 300 million Americans use yellow mustard as a condiment, with 18 known varieties available to suit all occasions.