All that you need to know about the nutritional value and health benefits of mushrooms
The disease-fighting characteristics of mushrooms have been known for centuries now. In the East, mushrooms have been used for its medicinal properties for long now. The West has been a tad bit slow in realizing the health benefits offered by mushrooms though. It is only recently that science has explored the nutritional worth of this fungi.
Essentially, mushrooms are complete health packages. These are low in calories and carbohydrates. At the same time, these are loaded with fiber, trace minerals, proteins, and B vitamins. They show anti-inflammatory properties too as they contain beta-glucans compounds which keep the immune cells active. Moreover, mushrooms contain a powerful antioxidant named ergothioneine, which lowers inflammation in the body.
On account of this nutritional profile, mushrooms boast the following health benefits:
Packed with vitamins
Mushrooms are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Both minerals and vitamins are crucial for the body in correct proportions. Any lack of a vitamin can lead to its deficiency. Mushrooms can help beat that.
These are also loaded with pantothenic acid, niacin, and riboflavin. These show numerous health benefits including maintaining a healthy count of red blood cells. These also enhance cell regeneration and assist the body in the natural production of hormones.
Contain lots of minerals
The fungus is also a mineral powerhouse. Mushrooms contain selenium, copper, potassium, ergothioneine, and beta-glucans. To begin with, selenium is an antioxidant which protects the cells from oxidative damage, which encourages the development of chronic diseases.
Cooper helps in the maintenance of healthy bone density. It also assists in the production of oxygen-transporting red blood cells. Likewise, potassium plays its role in the body too. It balances the body fluids, blood pressure, and minerals. It also encourages healthy muscles. Simultaneously, the mineral fine tunes your nervous system.
Mushrooms help fight cancer
Mushrooms are known as a natural cancer remedy. In fact, these are one of the best foods for boosting your natural killer cells, the immune cells and hunt down and destroy dangerous malignant cells.
Mushrooms have the potential to inhibit tumor formation, stop cell mutation, and protect DNA from damage. All this helps protect healthy cells. It also enhances the body’s ability to detoxify harmful substances and toxins from the body.
They strengthen the immune system
Mushrooms are packed with vital minerals, enzymes, and vitamins. On account of this profile, these are able to boost immunity. Mushrooms are applauded as a high antioxidant food. This means that they help fight free radical damage that culminates in oxidative stress.
Extensive research concludes that several mushrooms consist of a variety of bioactive molecules. These molecules exhibit antioxidant, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Furthermore, mushrooms have the ability to inhibit viruses and decrease the severity of an illness in sick people.
Some mushroom types are also known to enhance the production of T and B lymphocytes that are critical immune cells that control the body’s response to harmful bacteria, toxins, viruses, and other substances that cause disease.
Treats anemia
Patients with anemia suffer from low iron content in their blood. This reaches a finale of headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, and declined neural function. Mushrooms provide a significant amount of iron, which promotes the formation of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body. This helps an anemic person significantly.
Improves bone health
In addition to iron, mushrooms are also a rich source of calcium. This is an important nutrient for maintaining good bone health by assisting in their formation and strengthening them. A steady intake of calcium can also lower the risk of bone conditions like osteoporosis. It can also help you to minimize joint pain and boost mobility. In this regard, mushrooms are important because they provide substantial calcium.
Lowers cholesterol and protects heart health
Many types of mushrooms help lower the bad cholesterol. These also protect the arteries from hardening, which is a serious risk factor for heart disease. These fungi have a sterol compound in their composition, which hampers the production of cholesterol in the liver. At the same time, the compound encourages the level of good cholesterol.
Mushrooms also contain phytonutrients. These prevent the cells from sticking to the walls of the blood vessels. They also keep the plague buildup at bay, which helps improve blood circulation and maintain blood pressure. All these moves on the part of mushrooms support a good heart health.
Assists in weight management
Studies indicate the by eating mushrooms instead of meat, one can get rid of the extra weight. This is because mushrooms have the potential to help you shed the extra weight. These are nutrient-dense and low-calorie foods. Having regular mushrooms, say taking them multiple times every week, corresponds with lessened waist circumference, healthy body weight, and an improved overall health.
The best part is that while you’d be working to get an ideal weight, mushrooms will be working to improve your health too. They will support good heart health and save your organs from the negative consequences of inflammation and hormonal imbalance.
Improves brain function and enhances energy
Mushrooms are an excellent source of B vitamins. These support adrenal function which converts food into energy. Therefore, mushrooms can improve your energy levels. B vitamins, present in the fungi, also assist with neurotransmitter function that makes them stress-defying nutrients.
Resultantly, these are able to work through brain fog and support metabolism while working to keep thyroid disorders at bay. Some mushrooms like reishi are known as adaptogens which lower the stress hormone, cortisol. This helps your body deal with stress better and uplifts your mood too.
Lastly, mushrooms can minimize inflammation. This is critical for enhanced brain health because inflammation can lead to a decline in cognitive performance, mood problems, age-related neurodegenerative disorder, and low energy levels.
A good source of vitamin D
Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin D that can be attained from sun exposure too. Some types of mushrooms provide a good source of this vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency is s serious concern for lots of people. In fact, it can lead to depression and heart disease too.
Plus, exposing mushrooms to UV light can increase their concentration of vitamin D. Studies elaborate that mushrooms provide vitamin D2, D3, and D4 too. Of these, vitamin D3 is the type that is best utilized by humans. You can easily get your supply form mushrooms.