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Health and Nutritional Benefits of Mushrooms

Mushrooms, as a fungus, actually have more in common with the animal kingdom than the plant kingdom and have an ancient, well documented history of use for culinary, medicinal and spiritual ritual purposes. Mushrooms are packed with nutrients, contain zero cholesterol and salt, have virtually no saturated fat and supply only 11 calories per 50 gram serving but their health and nutritional benefits may extend far beyond that. Research suggests that many mushrooms could play a crucial role in the human battle against cancer.

Nutritional Benefits of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a good source of fibre, protein and many of the B complex vitamins including riboflavin, thiamine, pantothenic acid and niacine as well as being high in the minerals selenium, copper, potassium and phosphorus. Mushrooms also contain some level of iron, magnesium, manganese and vitamin C.

Perhaps most importantly, mushrooms are a dietary source of vitamin D which is in itself quite a rarity. Modern thinking suggests vitamin D deficiency may be responsible for many cancers. Vitamin D is normally only synthesized in the body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and as we have become so paranoid as a race regarding dangers of sun exposure, vitamin D deficiency is very common. Some mushrooms, including the common white mushroom and Shiitake mushrooms, produce high levels of vitamin D after exposure to UV rays.

Medicinal Benefits of Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used in herbal and natural medicines for thousands of years with documentation concerning this stretching from the Balkans to the Far East and it is little wonder.

All living things have some kind of system to protect them from attack – humans and animals have an immune system, plants have thick cellulose cell walls; mushrooms have neither of these and therefore produce their own anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial agents to protect themselves against parasites, disease or other pathogenic threats. This means, that all these benefits are passed onto us when we consume them.

Mushrooms have long been the subject of intensive clinical research and the various findings strongly suggest that mushrooms have the ability to inhibit the growth of many cancers. Some of the findings have been published in literature such as The International Journal of Cancer and other respected cancer publications. One such study conducted amongst patients with breast cancer showed that the risk was greatly reduced where 10 grams of mushrooms were consumed per day.

Furthermore, there are indications that mushrooms may prove to have some effect in the treatment of HIV and diabetes although findings are as yet inconclusive.

It is no surprise perhaps to find that many pharmaceutical drugs are derived from mushrooms the most well-known being Penicillin. The group of drugs which are used to lower dangerously high cholesterol are also derived from mushrooms.

Are Mushrooms Fattening?

No mushrooms are not fattening. In-fact mushrooms can help in weight loss.

Mushrooms are extremely low in calories while being a great nutrient source and are therefore highly suitable for inclusion in any weight loss diet.

List of Healthiest Mushrooms

Listed below are a few of the better known mushrooms and their possible medicinal and nutritional benefits.

1.) Common white mushroom – supplies vitamin D to diet, has anti-oxidant properties

2.) Shiitake – also a vitamin D supplier, has the ability to enhance the immune system. Has antibacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties. Used extensively in herbal remedies.

3.) Chanterelle – antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

4.) Chaga – tradition of use in Balkan natural remedies. Possibly anti-carcinogenic.

5.) Reishi – a great immune system booster, possibly anti-cancer properties as well as anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral.

6.) Oyster – possible anti HIV and strong anti-oxidant.

7.) Maitake – powerful anti-oxidant.

This list of healthiest mushrooms is far from conclusive and studies would suggest that all mushrooms have more than one possible health and nutritional benefits.  Mushrooms are very easily incorporated into the diet as they are widely available in increasingly different varieties as well as being highly versatile  for use in hot or cold dishes, pasta, stews, salads, soups and so on.

This article on the various benefits of eating mushrooms has been written by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’.