It is common for people to see mushrooms growing and popping out of nowhere. Because of it, other people found good ways to make use of the edible ones as part of their dishes. The addition of this ingredient — in pasta, burgers, or the ever-popular mushroom burger steak — not only enhances the overall flavor but also provides nutritional and medicinal benefits. Find out more about these benefits of mushroom here.
Getting to Know the Mighty Mushrooms
Known for their small, bell-shaped form, mushrooms are good sources of nutrients despite being an uncommon part of people’s grocery lists.
They offer several vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin B (B2, B3, B5, folate)
- Vitamin D
- Copper
- Phosphorus
- Selenium
- Potassium
Those who know how to incorporate it in their menus are already good with its food functionality. But wait. Hold that thought right there. Did you know that it can provide you with more benefits of mushroom than you expect it to be? Below are some of the good ones.
Mushrooms Help in Weight Management
Who would have thought that eating mushrooms can get you to shed off some excess weight?
Mushrooms have a similar texture to meat. However, unlike meat, mushrooms offer low calories, fat, and cholesterol input. Thus, making them a good choice for individuals wanting to lose weight. According to a preliminary investigation, replacing your meat intake with low-caloric and high-volume food counterparts could bring potential satisfactory results. Hence, it could be an efficient way to reduce daily calorie and fat intake while still feeling full and satisfied.
Mushrooms Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Because of the dietary fibers present in the said fungi, there are also some ideal benefits of mushroom for diabetics.
According to 2018 meta-analyses of dietary fiber consumption and Type 2 Diabetes, consuming a high fiber diet can help reduce the chance of acquiring the chronic condition. Therefore, it can support persons with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
Mushrooms Can Boost Immunity
They have an excellent ability to modulate the immune system. It greatly affects specialized cells like:
- Hematopoietic stem cells
- Lymphocytes
- Macrophages
- T cells
- Dendritic cells
- Natural killer cells
The benefits of mushroom also include their anti-inflammatory properties that aid the immune system’s performance. They stimulate the so-called macrophages to improve your system’s ability to fight off invading germs that can cause any diseases.
Moreover, selenium and ergothioneine in mushrooms shield body cells from damage that can contribute to chronic diseases.
Mushroom Can Be Alternative Medicine to Various Conditions
Most people have this idea that mushrooms are not at all nutritious because of their fungi characteristics. But, past studies revealed that they have been used to treat diseases. The most notable conditions are:
- Heart diseases
- Diabetes
- Inflammatory diseases
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Scientists at City of Hope were among the first to identify how it could slow down the growth of breast and prostate cancer cells in cell cultures and animals. Plant compounds and components found in mushrooms are said to have antioxidant, cardiovascular protector, antidiabetic, and anticancer medicinal properties.
In addition to that, certain mushrooms are also rich sources of physiologically active chemicals with potential therapeutic value in Chinese medicine. Phenolic chemicals, sterols, and triterpenes are examples of bioactive secondary metabolites found in mushrooms.
