Mustard oil is one of the most popular cooking oils found in Indian kitchens. On an extraction basis, two versions of mustard oil are available in the Indian market: cold-pressed/wooden-pressed and normal mustard oil. Mustard oil is extracted from Brassica nigra or juncea seeds, which appear dark brown in color and have a sharp, pungent aroma. However, there’s one more type of mustard oil that few people know about. Yellow mustard oil (YMO), extracted from yellow mustard seeds (known as Brassica alba or Sinapis alba), is also gaining popularity in India. This mustard oil is known to contain high levels of erucic acid, which helps the body use insulin better and is thereby beneficial for diabetic patients. Further, it has been found that yellow mustard oil also boosts mineral density. These outcomes were confirmed during a clinical trial conducted on mice.
Understanding Insulin Resistance
Before proceeding further to explore the efficacy of yellow mustard oil in improving insulin resistance, it is important to understand what insulin resistance means. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When food is digested, it breaks down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. This is when insulin plays its key role. Insulin signals muscle cells and fat cells to move glucose transporters (like GLUT4) from inside the cell to the cell surface, allowing glucose to enter for energy or storage. This is the normal process that occurs after every meal. However, when muscle and fat cells stop responding to insulin’s signal, fewer glucose transporters (GLUT4) move to the cell surface. This means less glucose enters cells for energy, causing glucose to accumulate in the blood and raise sugar levels. During this time, the pancreas continues secreting more insulin to compensate, but over time it tires out and insulin production drops. This eventually leads to type 2 diabetes.
What Is Yellow Mustard Oil?
Yellow mustard oil is extracted from the seeds of the yellow mustard plant, known for its bright color and pungent taste. Unlike refined oils, the best yellow mustard oil is often cold-pressed, preserving its natural nutrients. In India, it’s commonly used in curries, pickles, and massages. What sets it apart is its high content of erucic acid, a fatty acid that’s about 37% of the oil. While erucic acid has faced some scrutiny in the past, recent studies suggest it could have positive effects when consumed in moderation, especially in healthy mustard oil varieties.
This oil is packed with monounsaturated fats, omega-3s, and antioxidants, making it a popular choice for heart health and inflammation reduction. Brands offering the best mustard oil in India emphasize cold-pressing to keep these benefits intact, avoiding chemicals that strip away goodness.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Using Cold-Pressed Mustard Oil in Winter for Health and Skin
The Science Behind Yellow Mustard Oil and Insulin Resistance
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine (NIH), yellow mustard oil (YMO), which contains high levels of erucic acid (about 37%), shows potential in addressing obesity, insulin resistance, and bone weakness often seen in type 2 diabetes. This research is exciting because many common diabetes medications work by strongly activating a protein called PPARγ, which can lead to unwanted weight gain as a side effect. In contrast, YMO acts differently—it mildly blocks PPARγ activity. This approach could improve how the body handles sugar, reduce inflammation in fat tissues, and even strengthen bones, all without adding extra weight. The study focused on mice to test if YMO could offer these benefits safely and effectively.
Read More: 10 Health Benefits of Mustard Oil You Should Know
How the Study Was Conducted
Scientists used a special strain of mice called KK-A^y, which naturally develop obesity, high blood sugar, and insulin resistance, making them a good model for human type 2 diabetes. They divided the mice into several groups: some got regular food (controls), others received diets mixed with 1%, 3.5%, or 7% YMO for 16 weeks, and one group was given a drug (GW9662) that strongly blocks PPARγ for comparison. Besides feeding trials, researchers did lab experiments using hydrolyzed YMO (broken down to mimic digestion) at concentrations like 25 µg/mL. They tested its effects on stem cells turning into fat cells (adipogenesis) or bone-building cells (osteogenesis), measuring things like PPARγ activity, fat droplet formation, and bone markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for insulin levels, resistance scores (HOMA-IR), inflammation, fat size, and bone density.
Key Findings
The results were promising, especially at higher doses. For insulin resistance, the 7% yellow mustard oil (YMO) group showed much lower insulin levels and HOMA-IR scores, meaning their bodies used insulin better. Fat tissues had less harmful inflammation because YMO reduced bad immune cells (M1 macrophages) and increased helpful ones (M2). On fat control, 3.5% and 7% YMO reduced overall body weight, shrank fat pads around organs, and lowered genes linked to fat buildup (like those activated by PPARγ), but without shrinking individual fat cells—avoiding potential harm. Bone health improved too: 7% YMO raised bone mineral density and boosted osteoblast activity (bone builders), reversing the bone loss typical in diabetes. In lab tests, YMO suppressed fat cell formation by 20-30% while enhancing bone cell markers, confirming its PPARγ-blocking effect as the likely mechanism. Overall, these findings suggest YMO could support metabolic health in diabetes without the downsides of standard treatments, though human studies are needed next.
Is Yellow Mustard Oil a Healthy Cooking Option?
Cold-pressed or wood-pressed yellow mustard oil ranks among the best mustard oils in India for daily cooking. Yellow mustard seeds get pressed slowly without heat or chemicals, which preserves healthy fats, vitamins, and natural compounds that benefit the body. The light yellow oil contains plenty of heart-friendly monounsaturated fats (MUFA), omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E as an antioxidant, and erucic acid. These elements help maintain balanced cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, support digestion, and improve skin and hair health. North Indian homes often choose it for its mild nutty flavor in everyday dishes.
People recognize it as a strong option within the best cooking oils in India. A mouse study revealed that yellow mustard oil rich in erucic acid supports better insulin function, which moves sugar from food into cells for energy. Mice who were fed yellow mustard oil experienced lower body weight, reduced belly fat, improved sugar control, decreased inflammation in fat tissues, and stronger bones—issues diabetes often worsens. Experts from the Lipid Association of India recommend mustard oil for heart health because good cholesterol stays protected and blood flow improves compared to refined oils. Home cooks use it safely for tadka, low-heat vegetable frying, or salad dressings in simple meals.
Moderation ensures safety with erucic acid present, though Indian varieties suit cooking well when brands prove reliable. Daily use starts at 1-2 spoons alongside regular foods, and a doctor gets consulted for heart conditions, thyroid concerns, or diabetes medications. Consumers using the best yellow mustard oil in India from reputed brands report positive reviews on improved health and vitality.
Best Yellow Mustard Oil in India by the Best Cooking Oil Brand
Jivo’s Yellow Mustard Oil is widely regarded as the best yellow mustard oil in India, created by first-pressing top-quality yellow mustard seeds using traditional wooden presses. This method pulls out the oil in one gentle step, keeping all the natural nutrients intact without any heat or added chemicals along the way. As the best cooking oil brand, Jivo puts real care into making sure every bottle offers heart-friendly monounsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E, which help with keeping cholesterol balanced, digestion running smoothly, and skin looking healthy. Families across North India turn to it daily for that lovely light golden color and mild nutty flavor—it brings dishes like tadka, dal, vegetable sautés, or rotis to life with just the right subtle touch that doesn’t overpower the meal.
Why Choose Jivo’s First-Pressed Yellow Mustard Oil
- First-press wooden process holds onto key nutrients like MUFA, omegas, and vitamin E for better heart health and digestion.
- Mild nutty flavor fits perfectly into tadka, low-heat frying, salads, and classic North Indian cooking.
- Everyday use supports overall wellness through better nutrient absorption in home meals.
- Complete purity with no refining or extras, straight from a reliable best cooking oil brand.
- Works easily in curries, breads, and family favorites for flavor and health in one.
Jivo brings you the best yellow mustard oil in India, blending trusted quality with the taste of home cooking.
Also Read: Is Your Mustard Oil Pure? 7 Simple Tests to Spot Fake Mustard Oil
Conclusion
First-pressed yellow mustard oil is gaining popularity in India because it retains natural beneficial properties that support health. High-erucic yellow mustard oil has shown promising benefits in obese and diabetic mice, though its effects on humans still need confirmation. For daily cooking, first-pressed mustard oil ranks as one of the best mustard oils in India due to its high levels of monounsaturated fats and balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, this oil can offer real health benefits.
For the best yellow mustard oil in India, try Jivo’s first-pressed yellow mustard oil—this trusted brand is known for delivering high-quality, healthy first-pressed oils. Jivo, the best cooking oil brand, makes it easy to add wellness to your meals naturally.