According to a study by the University of Western Australia in Perth, eating mushrooms every day can reduce the risk of breast cancer by almost two-thirds. The study, conducted in China, looked at more than 2,000 women, half of whom had breast cancer. Researchers found that the women who ate 1/3 ounce of fresh mushrooms every day reduced their risk of developing a tumor by 64%. Dried mushrooms didn’t have quite the same benefit, but still reduced the risk “by about half.” The study also found that the women who regularly drank green tea in combination with their daily serving of fresh mushrooms reduced their risk by 90%. When The Telegraph reported on this study in 2009, The Telegraph went on to say that animal studies show that mushrooms “have anti-tumor properties and can stimulate immune system defences.” Ukmagicmushrooms Mushrooms could achieve this by “blocking the body’s production of the hormone estrogen, which can promote the development of cancer”.
A vegetarian diet “offers a variety of cancer-protective dietary factors,” according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A vegetarian diet reduces obesity. The author of this study notes that obesity increases the risk of cancer and that because the body mass index (BMI) of vegans is “significantly lower than that of non-vegetarians,” a plant-based diet “may be an important protective factor in reducing cancer risk.” .” Mushrooms are low in calories and are 80-90% water, making them a great substitute for meat when you’re looking to cut calories.
Mushrooms have been extensively studied for their health benefits as they have been found to support the immune system. These dense, smooth, earthy mushrooms grow in thousands of varieties, and most of them are high in potassium, selenium, copper, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and B-complex vitamins. A medium-sized portobello mushroom has more potassium than a small banana. Five medium cremini mushrooms have more selenium than one large egg or three ounces of lean beef. Also, the copper in mushrooms helps you form red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Mushrooms are an excellent source of antioxidants known as polyphenols, selenium and ergothionein. Ergothionein is an excellent antioxidant, a sulfur-containing amino acid. Sulfur is an extremely important nutrient that is often overlooked.
There are many types of mushrooms, thousands of which are poisonous, so do not pick them in the wild. Always buy them from a reliable and reputable supplier. Look for mushrooms that look smooth, clean, and fresh. To clean, use a soft mushroom brush or a damp paper towel to remove any parts that look dirty or muddy. You can rinse them, but don’t soak them. Keep refrigerated in the original packaging until ready to use. They can be stored in a porous paper bag in the fridge for up to a week, but never pack mushrooms in an airtight container and never freeze them. Always cut off the end of the stem before using mushrooms. If the stems are too chewy just use the caps.
Adding mushrooms to dishes is easy. Slice them thinly for salads, pasta dishes and sandwiches – or serve as a side dish. Grilling them is always great, and mushrooms are a tasty and healthy alternative to a burger. I love sautéing them with onions and butter to bring out the rich flavor of savory mushrooms. Each mushroom has a different flavor, so experiment by trying different varieties.
The Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Most people think of mushrooms as little more than a topping or an appetizer, but mushrooms have some incredible health benefits. The questions are, what mushrooms should I eat and what benefits will they bring me? Technically, mushrooms fall under the vegetable category even though they are a fungus. Know your mushrooms because not all of them are useful and some are downright deadly. I’ll stick with the ones I found at my local grocer, but if you’re feeling adventurous there are probably dozens of species growing in your area. You just have to know which are poisonous and which are edible.
What most mushrooms offer
First off, mushrooms are low in sodium, cholesterol, fat and calories and provide some essential nutrients. These facts aren’t that exciting, but mushrooms also have some amazing disease-preventing properties. One cup of chopped white mushrooms (the standard kind you get at the grocery store) has just 15 calories and 2.3 grams of carbohydrates (at a 2:1 sugar-to-fiber ratio) and 2.2 grams of protein.
Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins such as folic acid, niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. They are the only natural source of vitamin D that vegans can eat. They contain some minerals not found in many foods, such as copper, iron, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus. Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, a type of fiber found in the cell membranes of many species of fungi. It offers benefits for insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels, boosts immunity and reduces the risk of obesity by curbing appetite. Mushrooms also contain choline, which helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory.
Disease Prevention
Cancer
Mushrooms have the same antioxidant content as tomatoes, carrots, peppers and squash. This is probably due to a combination of things. The selenium helps the liver function properly and helps detoxify some of the compounds found in the body that can become cancerous. Vitamin D regulates the growth of new cells, which in turn inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Folate promotes cell regeneration and in turn inhibits the formation of cancer cells.
Diabetes
Those who eat a high-fiber diet have lower blood sugar levels. The average woman should consume between 21 and 25 grams of fiber per day. For men, it should be between 30 and 38. A cup of shiitake or portabello mushrooms each contain about 3 grams of fiber.
Heart
Potassium and sodium work together to regulate blood pressure. The higher the potassium and lower the sodium, the lower the blood pressure, which is exactly what mushrooms provide. If you eat 3 grams of beta-glucans a day, you will lower your cholesterol by 5%. That’s not a huge amount, but it’s also just one tool in your nutritional arsenal.
Immunity
I believe the immune system is the cornerstone of good health, so anything that can be done to improve it makes sense to me. Selenium is linked to the production of T cells that help fight off foreign invaders. The best defense is a good offense, and T-cells are at the forefront of your health. The beta-glucans also help stimulate your immune system and prevent tumors from forming.
Some of the healthiest mushrooms
There are many edible varieties of mushrooms, but some are characterized by high nutritional value.
Shiitake: These contain lentinan, a polysaccharide used to treat stomach cancer due to its antitumor properties. Polysaccharides are long chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and offer numerous benefits such as: cause the brain to produce chemicals that make you feel good, regulate blood sugar levels, promote cardiovascular and immune system health, prevent degenerative diseases, improve liver function, improve gut health and prevent colon cancer. There are numerous types of polysaccharides, and each offers their own unique benefits in addition to these common ones. A study from Japan showed a 100% reduction in tumor growth when fed shiitake extract. They also have antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties and contain eritadenine, which helps lower cholesterol levels.
Reishi: has been used medicinally in Asia for thousands of years and is used to treat lung cancer and leukemia because of the ganoderic acid it contains. Ganoderic acid is a triterpenoid. This mushroom helps regulate cholesterol and blood pressure levels, boosts the immune system, has anti-inflammatory properties, and has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Himematsutake: If you start to think that Japan has a monopoly on healthy mushrooms, don’t feel too bad. This originated in Europe but is now very popular in Asia. These mushrooms have six polysaccharides and have been linked to anti-cancer properties. They protect against the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy. They also reduce insulin resistance, Ukmagicmushrooms regulate cholesterol levels, and improve hair and skin.
Turkey tail: also called cloud fungus, contains two polysaccharides; PSK and PSP. There are numerous and extensive experiments with this fungus. It has been shown to boost the immune system of cancer patients (highly effective) and is used to treat some of the worst infections (E-coli, herpes, HIV, streptococcal pneumonia). It is currently the most researched mushroom in the world because they keep finding new medicinal uses for it.
