Undoubtedly, mayonnaise is one of the world’s most loved condiments. Its very unique characteristic –creamy yet a bit sour is what makes it a perfect base for dressings, sauces, and dips. Furthermore, it is also used as a flavor enhancer for salads and sandwiches. This is the main reason why nearly all the American kitchen would not do without mayonnaise. Well, a popularity that mayonnaise has is not just because it is a perfect addition to various cuisines or foods. Mayonnaise is also beneficial in improving the health. In fact, the health benefits of mayonnaise will surprise you –they are wide-ranging and are all for the betterment of the health. Read on to know more!
What is Mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise is a condiment that is thick and creamy. This creamy dressing or sauce is actually maid of egg yolks, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and some seasonings. Mayonnaise is not the same as the salad dressing. Mainly because the salad dressing doesn’t have egg yolks and is sweeter than the mayonnaise.
Moreover, mayonnaise is actually an emulsion. Meaning, it is a mixture of two different liquids, which normally cannot be mixed. One classic example of this is mixing water and oil. The emulsion is done by adding one ingredient to another in a slow manner. This is while instantaneously mixing it speedily. This process may help in dispersing and suspending the tiny droplets of one liquid to another.
As stated earlier, mayonnaise is made by combining a lemon juice or a vinegar with egg yolks. The eggs bind all the ingredients together and prevent the separation. On the other hand, the oil is put drop by drop when the mixture is whisked rapidly. It should be done drop by drop because if you add it too quickly, the two liquids will keep on combining.
The commercial mayonnaise may last for about 6 months in the refrigerator. It is commonly used as a base for sauces, just like tartar sauce, as well as salad dressings. Since it is mainly made from lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and egg yolk, the nutrients on each of these ingredients made up the health benefits of mayonnaise.
Nutritional Value of Mayonnaise
One serving or 1 packet of mayonnaise has:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 86 |
| Cholesterol | 5 milligrams |
| Total fat | 9 grams |
| Trans fat | 0 gram |
| Monounsaturated fat | 2 grams |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 5 grams |
| Saturated fat | 1 gram |
| Protein | 0 gram |
| Sugars | 0 gram |
| Dietary fiber | 0 gram |
| Total carbs | 0 gram |
| Potassium | 4 milligrams |
| Sodium | 68 milligrams |
| % Daily Value | |
| Iron | 0% |
| Calcium | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0% |
Health Benefits of Mayonnaise
Here are some of the most enticing health benefits of mayonnaise:
- Helps in maintaining normal metabolism: the condiment has some fat on it, thus making it beneficial in absorbing vitamins like vitamin K, E, D, and A. By way of increasing the absorption of these vitamins, mayonnaise may help in maintaining a healthy metabolism.
- Helps in strengthening the immunity: vitamin C content of mayonnaise, as well as its omega-3 fatty acids. This is what helps the body from certain illnesses, which is because of pathogen microorganism.
- Helps in getting rid of dead skin cell: mayonnaise is beneficial as a skin peeler or a scrub. This is to be able to soften and get rid of the dead cells, which may cause the skin to look dull.
- Helps in maintaining strong bones: the egg yolk is not just high in protein. It also has some important minerals like calcium, which is essential for stronger bones.
- Helps in making the skin glow: if you use mayonnaise as a face mask, it may be beneficial in making the skin glow. Furthermore, it also helps in removing dark spots as well as acne scars.
- Helps in treating sunburn: the condiment is beneficial in hydrating the skin. If your skin is getting sunlight exposure, treating it might be easy. This is since egg yolk as well as oil are good hydrator for the body. moreover, it also helps in keeping the water stay in the skin and then replenish the water loss.
- Helps in increasing appetite: the unique taste of mayonnaise is beneficial in enhancing the appetite. Moreover, it also helps in making your foods (i.e. salad) look more appetizing.
- Fasten healing: this is one of the best health benefits of mayonnaise. This is mainly because of the protein in the condiment.
Possible Risks of Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is notorious for its own high-fat content. The common produced commercial versions of mayonnaise, for example, contains about 80% of fat. The common mayonnaise is also popular to be a food that is dense with calories. In fact, every tablespoon of mayonnaise has about 100 calories. On the other hand, the commercial mayonnaise has high sodium content as well. Thus, taking a moderate amount of this condiment is necessary.
However, regardless of what health risks it may contribute. It is undeniable that the health benefits of mayonnaise are still outweighing it.
