Mustard Hasn't Always Been Just A Condiment
The early Romans are said to be the first group of people to use mustard as a condiment, grinding seeds, pairing the mashed seeds with wine, and creating a paste, according to Alimentarium. Fast forward to 2020, Statista reports that 286.3 million Americans used mustard in that year alone. Per Mental Floss, mustard is the second-most popular spice in America, coming in right behind peppercorn.
Along with its classic uses on hotdogs and hamburgers, mustard can be integrated into a variety of recipes. According to McCormick, it can be used to create a marinade, as a dip, and of course, to create the perfect deviled egg recipe. But long before King Louis XI was traveling with mustard by his side (per Mental Floss), the popular condiment had purposes that had nothing to do with being a condiment on our favorite dishes. Mustard is much more versatile than you probably ever imagined.
The cure to what ails you
According to Mental Floss, in Greek and Roman times, mustard was used for various purposes other than consumption. Some ancient examples include as a cure for scorpion stings, an aid for toothaches, and a tool for soothing bodily aches and pains. As science developed, it was said to ease frostbite symptoms and clear sinuses.
In more recent times, mustard has been known to benefit heart health, strengthen bones and teeth, and support muscle relaxation, via Times of India. Interestingly, it can even be used to fight bad breath and promote healthy hair.
Per Woman's World, when mustard is consumed, it can be used as a weight loss trick. Because it's low in calories and doesn't contain vegetable oils, it's a great substitute for mayonnaise and other popular condiments. Some of its ingredients are known to burn fat, fight inflammation, and lower your chance of disease. If you're looking for a way to integrate mustard into your diet, familiarize yourself with the 17 types of mustard and their uses.
When you think about it, there are plenty of reasons why you should be eating more mustard if you aren't already.