The health benefits of mushrooms
include relief from high cholesterol levels, breast cancer, prostrate
cancer, and diabetes. It also helps in weight loss, and increases the
strength of your immune system.
Almost all of us are familiar with mushrooms and their miraculous, beneficial powers.
You have probably seen mushrooms making someone bigger or acting as a shield against some dangerous monster. These aren’t just popular culture references, they are actually symbolic representations of the actual health benefits of mushrooms. They truly can make you bigger and protect you against diseases and infections, as they are full of proteins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibiotics and antioxidants.
Mushrooms are edible fungi with various scientific names, but the family name is “Agaricus”, and then there are many secondary names for different species. They are essentially Saprophytes, the organisms (plants without chlorophyll) which thrive by extracting nutrients from dead and decaying plant and animal matter. They vary greatly in their color, texture, shape and properties.
There are approximately 140,000 species of mushroom-forming fungi in the world, but science is only familiar with about 10%, while only 100 species or so are being studied for their potential health benefits and medicinal applications.
Maitake mushroom triggers the body sensitivity to insulin and helps in lowering blood sugar level. Reishi mushroom restricts the production of glucose in the pancreas.
Thus, as we can see, mushroom provides a variety of anti-cancerous components. They have been found helpful in combating prostate and breast cancer.
Almost all of us are familiar with mushrooms and their miraculous, beneficial powers.
You have probably seen mushrooms making someone bigger or acting as a shield against some dangerous monster. These aren’t just popular culture references, they are actually symbolic representations of the actual health benefits of mushrooms. They truly can make you bigger and protect you against diseases and infections, as they are full of proteins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibiotics and antioxidants.
Mushrooms are edible fungi with various scientific names, but the family name is “Agaricus”, and then there are many secondary names for different species. They are essentially Saprophytes, the organisms (plants without chlorophyll) which thrive by extracting nutrients from dead and decaying plant and animal matter. They vary greatly in their color, texture, shape and properties.
There are approximately 140,000 species of mushroom-forming fungi in the world, but science is only familiar with about 10%, while only 100 species or so are being studied for their potential health benefits and medicinal applications.
Some of the most well-known benefits of mushrooms are explained below.
Nutritional Health Benefits of Mushroom
Mushroom provides around 20-40 calories for 100 gram consumption. They are low in calories and provide proteins. They are a great source of Vitamin-D and Vitamin-B. It provides minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese.Health Benefits of Mushroom – Reduces Cholesterol
Mushroom provides lean protein which has no cholesterol and fat. It is a rich source of dietary fibre and enzymes that helps in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. It provides non-starch polysaccharides like chitin and beta-glucan that helps in curbing cholesterol.Mushroom Benefits – Prevents Diabetes
Mushroom contains mainly water and it has no fat content. Carbohydrates are also low in it which makes it ideal for a diabetic patient. Natural insulin and enzymes in mushroom helps in the disintegration of sugar and starch from food. Mushroom even helps in proper functioning of liver and pancreas which produces insulin and helps in proper flow of it.Maitake mushroom triggers the body sensitivity to insulin and helps in lowering blood sugar level. Reishi mushroom restricts the production of glucose in the pancreas.
Mushroom Increases Immunity
Mushroom has powerful antioxidants like ergothioneine which helps prevents free radicals from entering the body. Various vitamins and minerals in mushroom help in the overall immunity of the body. Mushrooms have tremendous healing power and have anti-bacterial effects too. Mushrooms can be helpful against infection in the wounds. They also prevent ulcers.Health Benefits of Mushroom – Inhibits Cancer
Mushroom has been found to be very beneficial in inhibiting cancer. The powerful polysaccharides in them are powerful anti-tumor agents. They help in prevention of cancer cells to grow in the body. Beta-glucan in mushrooms contains NK cells that are anti-tumor white blood cells. Linoleic acid in mushroom helps in suppressing the cancer cell formation. Selenium has also been found to prevent cancer growth.Thus, as we can see, mushroom provides a variety of anti-cancerous components. They have been found helpful in combating prostate and breast cancer.
Mushroom helps in Reducing Weight
Mushrooms are low in calories and provides loads of health benefits. Health conscious and obese people must add this food in their diet. Mushroom can be helpful in reducing weight as its low on carbohydrates and fats. Mushroom contains mainly protein which gets disintegrated by the fat content in our body, thus helping in consumption of body fat.
Health Benefits of Mushroom
Other Health Benefits of Mushroom
- Mushroom is a source of potassium which makes it helpful in maintaining normal heart rhythm. It also helps against hypertension and lowers high blood pressure.
- Mushrooms are high in Vitamin-D that helps in the absorption of phosphorous and calcium. It also helps in improving mood.
- Mushroom such as reishi mushroom is high in beta-glucans and triterpenes that helps in improving liver functions and removes toxins.
- Many mushrooms contain mycelium which triggers cognitive functions like memory and concentration. It helps in keeping the nerve cells active and thus prevents memory loss.