People seem to have a love or hate relationship when it comes to mushrooms. The fact that they’re a type of fungus grosses many people out and they can often look unappetizing. The good news is that if you can get past all of that, they’re actually extremely nutritious, delicious and one of Katherine’s favorite foods.
There are many species of edible mushrooms including common varieties that you can find at the grocery store like cremini, Portobello, oyster or shitake. There are also some type of mushrooms that more powerful such as Reishi which is an adaptogen or magic mushrooms which are hallucinogenic.
Benefits of Mushrooms
For thousands of years, mushrooms have been used across Asian countries for medicinal purposes which have become more widely accepted worldwide in more recent years. Although different types of mushrooms possess various benefits, mushrooms across the board have a strong nutritional profile which includes adequate fiber content, vitamins and minerals like copper, potassium, zinc and folate.
Some of the benefits of mushrooms can include:
Enhanced Immunity – Mushrooms naturally contain antiviral and antibacterial compounds which help them survive in their own environments and that also benefit the immune system. They also have anti-inflammatory properties which helps decrease the risk for many illnesses and conditions thereby also helping to boost immunity.
Great Source of Vitamin D – Vitamin D, a common deficiency, is vital to our health and our mood. Although the best source of vitamin D comes from the sun, mushrooms have increased levels of vitamin D due to their ability to synthesize UV and sunlight exposure.
Supports Bone Strength – Since vitamin D helps increase the absorption of calcium, it’s no wonder that mushrooms, the highest plant based source of vitamin, help provide strong bones.
Cancer Fighting Food – The nutritional profile associated with some mushrooms are known to have cancer fighting properties. As a natural treatment, they can help protect the body’s healthy cells and inhibit the mutating ones from forming.
Diet Friendly – Mushrooms are the perfect food for any diet since they are low in fat, carbohydrates and calories all of which can help promote overall weight loss and management.
Promotes Heart Health – Many mushrooms are known for their natural ability to help lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and increase good ones (HDL). They are also great meat replacements due to their flavor and texture, which also helps promote lower cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
Increased Cognitive Function – Certain mushrooms have anti-inflammatory characteristics which impacts our cognitive function like age related neurodegenerative diseases, our mood and energy levels. Mushrooms which are adaptogens like Reishi can even help lower cortisol levels and help balance out stress.
Higher Energy Levels – In addition to vitamin D, mushrooms also have a high presence of vitamin B which plays an important role in turning nutrients from food into energy thereby helping to increase overall energy levels.
Another great thing about mushrooms is that they are super versatile and used in so many different cultures and cuisines. They can be prepared in so many different ways and taste great roasted, sautéed or even on the barbeque. You can also buy dried mushrooms which can be easily re-hydrated to add to any meal.
Mushrooms are very absorbent so it’s imperative not to wash them under water and to rub them with a damp cloth instead. Since they’re porous, they’re also very susceptible to pesticides which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re buying organic varieties and to store them in the fridge to keep them fresh longest. Check out some of Katherine’s Favorite Mushroom Recipes.
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