Providing you with the goodness of antioxidants, a mushroom benefits you in various ways like helping you protect against allergies, infections, and even heart diseases. Mushrooms are also rich in protein, fiber, and Vitamins B2, B1, B3, B9, C, and D. However, we need more research about mushroom nutrition.
Benefits of Eating Mushrooms
Listed below are some of the best health benefits of mushrooms that you should remember:
1. Weight Loss
Mushroom is good for health as it is a rich source of proteins, fiber, and B vitamins and as a result, helps regulate glucose levels in the body. An unhealthy diet does not allow the body to use all the consumed sugar and the extra sugar gets converted to fat, leading to obesity. Mushrooms help the body to regulate blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy balance.
2. Boosts Immune System
Medicinal mushrooms contain beta-glucans that help stimulate macrophages, fight inflammation, and balance the immune system. This increases the body’s ability to defeat foreign bodies and makes you less prone to serious diseases.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure
Mushrooms are rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps lower the impact of sodium present in our food. Not only this but potassium also reduces tension in our blood vessels, thus lowering the blood pressure.
4. Slows Down Aging
It is not just important to consume mushrooms for health but also to help you in your aging process. They contain high amounts of two important antioxidants namely, glutathione and ergothioneine. These antioxidants work to protect the body from physiological stress and thus reduce signs of aging.
5. Helps Improve Brain Health
There are three medicinal mushrooms namely, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Reishi that help improve brain health. These mushrooms are known to protect neurons from damage. They also support the growth of brain pathways and neurites. In addition, these three mushrooms also improve cognition, reduce oxidative stress, and help with anxiety and depression.
6. Improves Heart Health
Mushroom benefits include improved cardiovascular health as well. They contain antioxidants, a set of bioactive compounds, anti-inflammatory compounds and Vitamin D. These nutrients help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and the hardening of arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
7. Assists in Strengthening of Bones
One of the main mushroom benefits is bone strength. Mushrooms contain Vitamin D that is one of the important nutrients required for increased bone density and strength.
8. Gives Energy
Mushrooms are rich in Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (folate). These vitamins derive energy from food and produce Red Blood Cells (RBCs). These RBCs, in turn, carry oxygen all over the body and as a result, increase the energy levels – another reason why mushroom is good for health.
9. Helps Manage Diabetes
Studies show that people that have a good intake of dietary fiber have a lesser chance of developing diabetes. Those who are already suffering from it have reduced blood glucose levels. It has been seen that 70 grams of mushroom contain approximately 1 gram of fiber.
10. Helps During Pregnancy
Studies recommend that an average adult should consume around 400 micrograms of folate every day. One cup of mushroom contains approximately 16.3 micrograms of folate. In order to boost fetal health, a lot of women consume folate or folic acid supplements. However, one of the mushroom benefits includes the natural folate present in them, thus negating the need for any additional supplement.
11. May Help Prevent Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, the antioxidant content present in mushrooms may help prevent prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and other types of cancer. Some evidence suggests that the presence of Vitamin D in mushrooms may help prevent or treat cancer, though the results may vary from person to person.
Mushrooms for Consumption
As we can see, there are numerous mushroom benefits. However, not all mushrooms are safe for consumption.
Following is the list of mushrooms that are edible:
- White Button Mushrooms
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Portobello Mushrooms
- Enoki Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Porcini Mushrooms
- Shimeji Mushrooms
- Paddy Straw Mushrooms
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Chaga Mushroom
- Reishi Mushroom
Medicinal mushrooms are rapidly gaining the status of a superfood as they come with a wide range of nutritional benefits. Mushrooms have garnered the attention of many athletes, students, and entrepreneurs as they are ideal for boosting memory and cognitive health.
Conclusion
The health benefits of mushrooms are wide-ranging. These small fungi work to support, nourish, and protect the body from various diseases. It is imperative to consume one small cup of mushrooms a day to achieve daily goals, see better results, and stay on top of your health game always.
