Eat Me: 8 health benefits of mushrooms

Mushrooms are commonly classified as vegetables in the food world but they are not technically plants.

They belong to the fungi kingdom.

Mushrooms provide many of the nutritional attributes of produce, as well as attributes more commonly found in meat, beans or grains.

Here are eight ways mushrooms can be beneficial to your health.

Blood pressure

The shiitake and maitake mushrooms are high in potassium content.

Potassium acts as a vasodilator, relaxing tension in blood vessels and therefore reducing blood pressure.

Strengthens immune system 

Ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant present in mushrooms, is very effective in providing protection from free radicals as well as boosting the immune system.

It is actually an amino acid that contains sulfur, which is something that many people are deficient in, despite not knowing it or seeing its effects.

Nutrient absorption

Vitamin D is a relatively rare vitamin to find in vegetables, and in fact, edible forms, are not particularly common.

However, mushrooms have it, and this essential vitamin can facilitate the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous.

Bone health

Mushrooms are a rich source of calcium, which is an essential nutrient in the formation and strength of bones.

A steady supply of calcium in the diet can reduce your chances of developing conditions like osteoporosis, and can also reduce joint pain and general lack of mobility that is associated with bone degradation.

Diabetes

Mushrooms are an ideal low-energy diet for diabetics.

They have no fats, no cholesterol, very low levels of carbohydrates, high protein content, and a wealth of vitamins and minerals. They also contain a lot of water and fibre.

Moreover, they contain natural insulin and enzymes which help the breaking down of sugar or starch in food.

Breast & prostate cancer

Mushrooms are very effective in preventing breast and prostate cancer due to the significant presence of Beta-Glucans and conjugated Linoleic Acid, which both have anti-carcinogenic effects.

Out of these two, linoleic acid is particularly helpful in suppressing the harmful effects of excess estrogen. This increase in estrogen is one of the prime causes of breast cancer in women after menopause.

Anemia

Anemic patients are characterised by having low levels of iron in their blood, resulting in fatigue, headaches, reduced neural function, and digestive issues.

Mushrooms are a good source of iron, and over 90% of the nutritive iron value can be absorbed by the body, which promotes the formation of red blood cells and keeps people healthy and functioning at their full potential.

Cholesterol levels

Mushrooms themselves provide you with lean proteins since they have no cholesterol or fat and are very low carbohydrates.

The fibre and certain enzymes in mushrooms also help lower cholesterol levels. Moreover, the high lean protein content found in them helps burn cholesterol when they are digested.